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Federal Appeals Court Hears Vote-Counting Case Involving Tennessee Abortion Rules

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Federal appeals judges are questioning previous court rulings on a successful 2014 constitutional amendment allowing tougher abortion restrictions in Tennessee. 

The Tennessean reports that judges with the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals expressed concern Wednesday about a Tennessee court's ruling backing the method state officials used to count the votes.

But the judges also questioned a recount ordered by a U.S. District judge. The recount is on hold pending the appeal. In his April 2016 ruling, U.S. District Judge Kevin Sharp sided with eight voters who sued the state. Sharp called Tennessee's vote-counting on Amendment 1 unconstitutional and fundamentally unfair.

Attorneys for the state say they followed longstanding practice of counting amendment votes.

The circuit court judges heard oral arguments from both sides Wednesday. It's unclear when they'll issue a decision.

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