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Groups spending millions to influence Tenn. elections

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A proposed amendment to the Tennessee Constitution to give lawmakers more power to regulate abortion has caused a flood of television advertising to try to influence voters ahead next month's election.

A new study released by the non-partisan Center for Public Integrity on Thursday finds that opponents of Amendment One have spent $1.3 million to run nearly 1,400 ads through the start of this week, while supporters have run 730 ads at a cost of about $606,000.

The proposed amendment seeks to nullify a 2000 Tennessee Supreme Court decision that found several abortion restrictions in state law at the time violated a woman's fundamental right to privacy as guaranteed in the Tennessee Constitution.

Supporters of another ballot measure on judicial merit selection have spent about $280,000 to run 440 ads.