Tennessee voters to decide on three constitutional amendments

In the upcoming November 3 general election, Tennessee voters will consider three proposed constitutional amendments. More than 4.3 million registered voters are eligible to vote on these measures, which address bail eligibility, state property taxes, and crime victims' rights.

Amendment 1 would grant judges the authority to deny bail to defendants charged with 73 specific serious felony offenses, including murder, aggravated sexual assault, and terrorism-related crimes.

Amendment 2 seeks to prohibit the Tennessee General Assembly from imposing a state property tax on real, personal, or mixed property. While Tennessee does not currently have a state property tax, this amendment would establish a constitutional ban on such a tax, though it would not affect taxes collected by cities or counties.

Amendment 3 aims to expand constitutional protections for crime victims.

To pass, these amendments must meet a specific threshold: they require a majority of votes in favor and must receive more affirmative votes than the total number of votes cast for the winning gubernatorial candidate.