Protect The People's Vote on Amendment 1: Sign the 6th Circuit Court Amicus Brief
Rather than accept defeat, Planned Parenthood is willing to disenfranchise pro-life voters in order to ensure that Tennessee remains an abortion destination. That was unacceptable on Election Day 2014 and it remains so nearly two years after clear public approval of Amendment 1.
On November 4, 2014, Tennessee voters approved passage of pro-life Amendment 1 to the Tennessee Constitution by a margin of 53-47 percent. Three days later, Planned Parenthood Board Chair, Tracey E. George and other Planned Parenthood Board members filed a federal lawsuit claiming that their voting rights had been violated and that ballots were not properly counted.
Yes on 1 calls the lawsuit one more example of pro-abortion activists refusing to trust the common sense and compassion of Tennesseans who largely favor legal protections for abortion-vulnerable women, girls and unborn children in our state.
"Amendment 1 was passed with a clear majority of Tennesseans casting a vote to approve the language," said Brian Harris, coordinator for Yes on 1 Ballot Committee. "No voter should be stripped of their right to effect social change with their vote or to positively impact the public policies of their community, state and nation."
On April 22, 2016, Federal District Court Judge Kevin Sharp ruled in favor of the Planned Parenthood plaintiffs and demanded a recount of the ballots on Amendment 1. Sharp also maintained that the ballot of any Tennessean having voted for Amendment 1 but not also casting a vote in the Governor's race must be thrown out.
The case is now on appeal to the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati with a hearing date to be set.
The Yes on 1 Ballot Committee urges concerned Tennesseans to Protect the People's Vote on Amendment 1 by signing the Friend-of-the-Court (amicus) brief being filed by Yes on 1.
Make your voice heard now to defend the lawful outcome of the Amendment 1 vote!