I'm a naturalized citizen and the letter Tennessee sent me reeks of voter intimidation

Re: "14,000 Tennesseans sent letters requesting proof of citizenship ahead of election," June 25.

I am very much displeased with a letter I received from the Tennessee Election Division last week.

The letter noted that I may not have been a citizen when I obtained my Tennessee driver's license, then went on to say that illegal voting is a felony, and asked me to submit proof of my citizenship.

True, I obtained my license two months before my naturalization in September 2022. But I registered as a voter at the naturalization ceremony, and I was under the impression that the voter registration process already ensured that the registrant is a citizen to begin with.

Everything in the letter reeks of voter intimidation. A phone conversation with them revealed that, according to state law, they would not check with federal authorities for my citizenship status, so the onus would be on me to prove it once again, almost as if I were an indicted criminal. This is utterly ridiculous.

Going to the post office to mail in copies of documents was a trivial task – I'm lucky enough to work flexible hours – but diverted time from my work and an absolutely packed schedule.

If anyone thinks that I, as a Ph.D.-educated scientist at the University of Tennessee, and an affiliate of Oak Ridge National Laboratory, would be the kind of person they are targeting for voter fraud, they are gravely mistaken.

Charles Lieou, Knoxville 37917

Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@tennessean.com. Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Voting rights: Tennessee letter to new citizens reeks of intimidation