82nd LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT

LAUDERDALE & CROCKETT COUNTIES PARTS OF DYER COUNTY 135 S. ALPINE STREET RIPLEY, TENNESSEE 38063 (731) 635-1230 Crockett Co. (731) 663-2675 Dyer Co. (731) 286-2675 33 LEGISLATIVE PLAZA NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37243-0182 (615) 741-2134 1-800-449-8366 EXT. 12134 rep.craig.fitzhugh@capitol.tn.gov

FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS

House of Representativ es
State of Tennessee
CRAIG FITZHUGH Minority Leader August 14, 2012

CALENDAR AND RULES EDUCATION GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS EDUCATION SUB FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS SUB JOINT PENSIONS AND INSURANCE HOUSE RULES

Tre Hargett Secretary of State State Capitol Nashville, TN 37243-1102 RE: August 2012 Elections Dear Secretary Hargett: It is with great concern I write you today. As you are no doubt aware, the elections held on Thursday, August 2nd of this year were plagued with problems ranging from voters not receiving ballots for the correct contests to persons with proper identification not being allowed to vote. These problems were reported across the state and have led many members of the General Assembly to submit the following questions for your review and response:

1.

How many persons were not given a correct ballot and therefore not allowed to vote in their preferred primary or rightful district? 2. Is their a uniform procedure used at voting locations to insure that voters are aware of and obtain the correct ballot for their primary? 3. How many persons were denied their right to vote due to issues with identification? It is essential to the future of our state, and our ability to govern in an honest manner, that the recent problems be identified and addressed in a thorough manner. To deny duly registered voters the right to fully participate in our elections, is unacceptable. We firmly believe that every effort must be made to reveal the cause of the problems with our recent election and hope that your office will lead the way in restoring the integrity of our electoral process. Best Regards,

Craig Fitzhugh House Democratic Leader Tre Hargett, Secretary of State August 14, 2012 Page 2

Mike Turner House Democratic Caucus Chairman

John J. DeBerry, Jr. State Representative Joe Pitts State Representative

Barbara Cooper State Representative

Tommie F. Brown State Representative

Gary W. Moore State Representative

John C. Tidwell State Representative

Jimmy Naifeh Speaker Emeritus

Johnnie Turner State Representative

Joe Towns, Jr. State Representative

JoAnne H. Favors State Representative

Lois DeBerry State Representative

Mike Stewart State Representative

Sherry Jones State Representative

Joe Armstrong State Representative

Antonio Parkinson State Representative

Janis Sontany State Representative

Gary Odom State Representative

Larry J. Miller State Representative Tre Hargett, Secretary of State August 14, 2012 Page 3

Karen Camper State Representative

Michael R. McDonald State Representative

G.A. Hardaway State Representative

Johnny Shaw State Representative

David Shephard State Representative