On Nov. 8, Tennessee voters will have the chance to alter the state constitution. The four amendments on the ballot are verbose, but on Thursday’s episode of This Is Nashville, WPLN reporters Alexis Marshall, Blake Farmer and Paige Pfleger broke down the choices voters are facing.
Here’s a quick summary of each amendment.
Amendment 1 – Right to work
Tennessee is a right to work state, which means a worker cannot lose their job for being part of a union and cannot be forced to join a union or pay dues. This rule has been on the books for 75 years, but voters now have the choice to enshrine the law in the state’s constitution.
Regardless of what voters decide, Tennessee will remain a right to work state. However, if the amendment passes, it will be much harder for this policy to be repealed.
Who is supporting Amendment 1?
The amendment has the backing of state Republican lawmakers, including Gov. Bill Lee and former Gov. Bill Haslam.
Who is against Amendment 1?
Labor organizers, including the Tennessee AFL-CIO, oppose the amendment. They say it will erode union power and decentivize people from joining unions.
Yes or no?
A yes vote is in favor of adding the right to work amendment to the constitution. A no vote is to keep the state constitution as is.
Amendment 2 – Line of succession for governor
If the governor dies in office, resigns or is removed from office, there is a formal policy in the state constitution that allows the speaker of the Senate to take over for the governor and the speaker of the House to take over as the speaker of the Senate.
Currently, there’s no temporary line of succession if the governor is ill, incapacitated or unable to perform their duties for a short period of time.
This amendment will add language to the state constitution to create a temporary line of succession.
Who is supporting Amendment 2?
State Sen. Becky Massey, R-Knoxville, first introduced legislation to formalize the temporary line of succession in 2014 and has been advocating for it since then.
Who is against Amendment 2?
There has not been any significant opposition to Amendment 2.
Yes or no?
A yes vote is in favor of clarifying the line of succession if the governor is temporarily unable to lead. A no vote is to keep the state constitution as is.
Amendment 3 – Slavery as punishment
Slavery was abolished when the 13th amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1865. However, the Tennessee Constitution says that slavery can be used as punishment for a crime.
Amendment 3 wants to eliminate that clause and replace it with “Slavery and involuntary servitude are forever prohibited.”
Who is supporting Amendment 3?
State Senator Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis, first proposed legislation to change the language in 2019, which received bipartisan support. Religious leaders across the state have also endorsed the amendment.
Who is against Amendment 3?
State Rep. Susan Lynn, R-Mount Juliet, is the only politician vocally opposing the amendment this election.
Yes or no?
A yes vote will remove slavery as a punishment from the state constitution. A no vote will keep the state constitution as is.
Amendment 4 – Removing ban on ministers in the legislature
The Tennessee Constitution has language that bans professional ministers and priests from running for public office. However, the rule hasn’t been enforced for 40 years because the U.S. Supreme Court found it unconstitutional.
This amendment aims to remove the ban on ministers and priests.
Who is supporting Amendment 4?
State Sen. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon, originally proposed legislation removing the amendment in 2019, which received bipartisan support.
Who is against Amendment 4?
There is very little opposition to the proposed amendment, but there has been some pushback from voters and groups that would also like to see the provision banning atheists from holding state office removed from the constitution.
Yes or no?
A yes vote will remove the ban from the state constitution. A no vote will keep the state constitution as is.
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