rights of citizenship

A judge restored his “full rights of citizenship” in September, and the state elections office restored his voting rights in November.

The state constitution says a person convicted of a felony can’t vote until their rights of citizenship are restored “in the manner prescribed by law.”

The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that despite having his full rights of citizenship restored, Falls still had to go through the process of restoring his voting rights.

“No matter where someone was convicted, a pardon or restoration of the full rights of citizenship is required as the first step of the process,” according to a frequently asked questions document by the state elections office.

In 2020, then-Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam granted Falls clemency, restoring his full rights of citizenship.