Senate Bill 347 aims to clarify and specify the definition of "signature" in relation to election-related documents within Tennessee's election laws. The bill introduces new definitions for "election-related document" and "signature," which include specific criteria for what constitutes a valid signature on various election documents such as nominating petitions, absentee ballot applications, and voter registration forms. Notably, the bill allows for the use of initials in place of a full name under certain conditions and provides provisions for voters who are physically unable to write their names.

Additionally, the bill amends existing laws regarding the requirements for signatures on petitions, emphasizing that a signature must be compared to the voter's registration record and must bear sufficient resemblance to be considered valid. It also mandates that voters are responsible for keeping their registration information current, including notifying election commissions of any address changes. The bill deletes certain existing provisions and takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2-1-104(a), 2-1-104, 2-1-107, 2-2-122, 2-5-101(b)(2), 2-5-101