Election of Constitutional Officers’ Bill Moves Forward

A bill calling for the popular election of Tennessee’s constitutional officers moved out of the Senate Judiciary Committee today.

Although the bill’s sponsor Rosalind Kurita is a Democrat, the vote was five Republicans in favor and four Democrats against.

Kurita wants to elect not just the three constitutional officers – the secretary of state, the treasurer, and the comptroller – but also the attorney general and the next-in-line to the governor.

“Most of the people in Tennessee have no idea that we are not allowed to vote on these officers. In almost every other state, people have the privilege of electing those people who represent them. Here in Tennessee, these constitutional officers, and they are wonderful folks, they do a good job, and there’s nothing personal in this at all. But they are selected, internally selected by the legislature. So that is who they are responsive to. As opposed to being elected by the general public so that you then are responsive to the general public.”

The bill would require action by two successive General Assemblies and then a popular referendum vote to change the state constitution.

Kurita has pursued election of the officers for several years. Today/yesterday was the first time she has gotten the resolution past a major committee. It will be reviewed by at least two more standing committees in the Senate.