Tennessee and Louisiana Voters Weigh Constitutional Amendments

Voters in Tennessee and Louisiana are deciding on several constitutional amendments in the November elections. In Tennessee, early voting began October 14 for three specific proposals. Amendment One would grant judges the authority to deny pretrial bail for serious offenses, including terrorism and second-degree murder. Amendment Two seeks to prohibit a state property tax on real, personal, or mixed property, while Amendment Three would expand constitutional protections for crime victims.

Jack Johnson, the Tennessee State Senate Majority Leader who sponsored the bail amendment, argued that the current system forces judges to grant bail regardless of the threat an individual poses to the community. Conversely, State Representative Vincent Dixie contended that bail issues are better addressed through policy than through changes to the state constitution.

In Louisiana, voters will consider ten constitutional amendments, including a proposal to allow local governments to lower property tax rates without losing the ability to return to previous higher rates. Early voting in Louisiana is scheduled for October 20-27.

Tennessee's general election on November 3 also includes a gubernatorial race featuring Republican Marsha Blackburn and Democrat Jerri Green. Early voting is currently underway in regions such as Greene County, where ballots are being cast at the Greene County Election Commission office in Greeneville.