Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-10-128 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 10 / Section 2-10-128
Disclosures required of members of the general assembly
Status: in_force

(a) Each member of the general assembly and the member's spouse shall annually report in writing to the Tennessee ethics commission, prior to April 15, the following information for the prior calendar year: (1) The major source or sources of private income of more than two hundred dollars ($200), including, but not limited to, offices, directorships, and salaried employments of the person making disclosure, and such person's spouse, but no dollar amounts need be stated. The disclosure shall state the name and address of any entity that provides a source of private income of more than two hundred dollars ($200). This subdivision (a)(1) shall not be construed to require the disclosure of any client list or customer list, nor the address of any investment property. When reporting private income received from a security listed on the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq, the disclosure may state only the name of the entity, in lieu of disclosing the name and address of the entity. If a member or spouse's ownership of a business enterprise's securities provides income of more than two hundred dollars ($200), then the business enterprise shall be named in lieu of any investment brokerage firm or other fiduciary that may possess or manage the securities on behalf of the member or spouse. If a member or spouse's ownership of shares of a mutual fund provides income of more than two hundred dollars ($200), then the mutual fund shall be named in lieu of the business enterprises whose securities are owned by the mutual fund. For purposes of this subdivision (a)(1), income shall be reported for the calendar year in which it is received. When reporting private income received from investments with a federal or state chartered bank, the disclosure may state only the name of the bank, in lieu of stating the name and address of the bank; (2) Any positions held during the applicable reporting period, including, but not limited to, those of an officer, director, trustee, general partner, proprietor, or representative of any corporation, firm, partnership, or other business enterprise, or any non-profit organization or educational institution. Both the year and month must be reported for the period of time the position was held. Positions with the federal government, religious, social, fraternal, or political entities, and those solely of an honorary nature do not require disclosure; and (3) Any trust considered to be a "blind trust" pursuant to § 35-50-120 to which a member or the member's spouse is an interested party. The person making disclosure shall state that the person is an interested party to a blind trust and provide the name and address of the trustee of the trust. Notwithstanding any provisions of this subdivision (a)(3) to the contrary, the person making disclosure is not required to disclose any individual asset held in a blind trust. (b) The reports in subsection (a) shall be posted on the website of the Tennessee ethics commission. The Tennessee ethics commission shall modify existing forms to accomplish the purposes of this section. (c) The commission shall create a consolidated form that provides for the disclosure of the information required to be reported by this section and § 8-50-502 . Any person who is required to disclose information pursuant to this section and § 8-50-501 who files the consolidated form in a manner that complies with the requirements of those sections shall fulfill the requirements of this section and § 8-50-501 . Filing the consolidated form prior to April 15 as required by this section shall also fulfill the requirements of §§ 8-50-503 and 8-50-504 . Acts 2005, ch. 102, § 1; 2005, ch. 476, § 2; 2005, ch. 486, §§ 2, 3; 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, §§ 28, 32.
(a) Each member of the general assembly and the member's spouse shall annually report in writing to the Tennessee ethics commission, prior to April 15, the following information for the prior calendar year: (1) The major source or sources of private income of more than two hundred dollars ($200), including, but not limited to, offices, directorships, and salaried employments of the person making disclosure, and such person's spouse, but no dollar amounts need be stated. The disclosure shall state the name and address of any entity that provides a source of private income of more than two hundred dollars ($200). This subdivision (a)(1) shall not be construed to require the disclosure of any client list or customer list, nor the address of any investment property. When reporting private income received from a security listed on the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq, the disclosure may state only the name of the entity, in lieu of disclosing the name and address of the entity. If a member or spouse's ownership of a business enterprise's securities provides income of more than two hundred dollars ($200), then the business enterprise shall be named in lieu of any investment brokerage firm or other fiduciary that may possess or manage the securities on behalf of the member or spouse. If a member or spouse's ownership of shares of a mutual fund provides income of more than two hundred dollars ($200), then the mutual fund shall be named in lieu of the business enterprises whose securities are owned by the mutual fund. For purposes of this subdivision (a)(1), income shall be reported for the calendar year in which it is received. When reporting private income received from investments with a federal or state chartered bank, the disclosure may state only the name of the bank, in lieu of stating the name and address of the bank; (2) Any positions held during the applicable reporting period, including, but not limited to, those of an officer, director, trustee, general partner, proprietor, or representative of any corporation, firm, partnership, or other business enterprise, or any non-profit organization or educational institution. Both the year and month must be reported for the period of time the position was held. Positions with the federal government, religious, social, fraternal, or political entities, and those solely of an honorary nature do not require disclosure; and (3) Any trust considered to be a "blind trust" pursuant to § 35-50-120 to which a member or the member's spouse is an interested party. The person making disclosure shall state that the person is an interested party to a blind trust and provide the name and address of the trustee of the trust. Notwithstanding any provisions of this subdivision (a)(3) to the contrary, the person making disclosure is not required to disclose any individual asset held in a blind trust.
(1) The major source or sources of private income of more than two hundred dollars ($200), including, but not limited to, offices, directorships, and salaried employments of the person making disclosure, and such person's spouse, but no dollar amounts need be stated. The disclosure shall state the name and address of any entity that provides a source of private income of more than two hundred dollars ($200). This subdivision (a)(1) shall not be construed to require the disclosure of any client list or customer list, nor the address of any investment property. When reporting private income received from a security listed on the New York Stock Exchange, American Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq, the disclosure may state only the name of the entity, in lieu of disclosing the name and address of the entity. If a member or spouse's ownership of a business enterprise's securities provides income of more than two hundred dollars ($200), then the business enterprise shall be named in lieu of any investment brokerage firm or other fiduciary that may possess or manage the securities on behalf of the member or spouse. If a member or spouse's ownership of shares of a mutual fund provides income of more than two hundred dollars ($200), then the mutual fund shall be named in lieu of the business enterprises whose securities are owned by the mutual fund. For purposes of this subdivision (a)(1), income shall be reported for the calendar year in which it is received. When reporting private income received from investments with a federal or state chartered bank, the disclosure may state only the name of the bank, in lieu of stating the name and address of the bank;
(2) Any positions held during the applicable reporting period, including, but not limited to, those of an officer, director, trustee, general partner, proprietor, or representative of any corporation, firm, partnership, or other business enterprise, or any non-profit organization or educational institution. Both the year and month must be reported for the period of time the position was held. Positions with the federal government, religious, social, fraternal, or political entities, and those solely of an honorary nature do not require disclosure; and
(3) Any trust considered to be a "blind trust" pursuant to § 35-50-120 to which a member or the member's spouse is an interested party. The person making disclosure shall state that the person is an interested party to a blind trust and provide the name and address of the trustee of the trust. Notwithstanding any provisions of this subdivision (a)(3) to the contrary, the person making disclosure is not required to disclose any individual asset held in a blind trust.
(b) The reports in subsection (a) shall be posted on the website of the Tennessee ethics commission. The Tennessee ethics commission shall modify existing forms to accomplish the purposes of this section.
(c) The commission shall create a consolidated form that provides for the disclosure of the information required to be reported by this section and § 8-50-502 . Any person who is required to disclose information pursuant to this section and § 8-50-501 who files the consolidated form in a manner that complies with the requirements of those sections shall fulfill the requirements of this section and § 8-50-501 . Filing the consolidated form prior to April 15 as required by this section shall also fulfill the requirements of §§ 8-50-503 and 8-50-504 .
Acts 2005, ch. 102, § 1; 2005, ch. 476, § 2; 2005, ch. 486, §§ 2, 3; 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, §§ 28, 32.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-122 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 2 / Section 2-2-122
Principles for determination of residence - Factors involved
Status: in_force

(a) The determination of whether a person is a resident or where the person resides or has residence for purposes of the election code shall be made in the light of the following principles: (1) The residence of a person is that place in which the person's habitation is fixed, and to which, whenever the person is absent, the person has a definite intention to return; provided, that a person may not register to vote using a business location as the registration address when the sole basis for the person's presence at such location is based on a business or commercial use; (2) A change of residence is generally made only by the act of removal joined with the intent to remain in another place. There can be only one (1) residence; (3) A person does not become a resident of a place solely by intending to make it the person's residence. There must be appropriate action consistent with the intention; (4) A person does not lose residence if, with the definite intention of returning, the person leaves home and goes to another country, state or place within this state for temporary purposes, even if of one or more years duration; (5) The place where a married person's spouse and family have their habitation is presumed to be the person's place of residence, but a married person who takes up or continues abode with the intention of remaining at a place other than where the person's family resides is a resident where the person abides; (6) A person may be a resident of a place regardless of the nature of the person's habitation, whether house or apartment, mobile home or public institution, owned or rented; however, a commercial address may not be used for residential purposes, unless the applicant provides evidence of such applicant's residential use of such address; (7) A person does not gain or lose residence solely by reason of the person's presence or absence while employed in the service of the United States or of this state, or while a student at an institution of learning, or while kept in an institution at public expense, or while confined in a public prison or while living on a military reservation; and (8) No member of the armed forces of the United States, or such member's spouse or dependent, is a resident of this state solely by reason of being stationed in this state. (b) (1) The following factors, among other relevant matters, may be considered in the determination of where a person is a resident: (A) The person's possession, acquisition or surrender of inhabitable property; (B) Location of the person's occupation; (C) Place of licensing or registration of the person's personal property; (D) Place of payment of taxes which are governed by residence; (E) Purpose of the person's presence in a particular place; and (F) Place of the person's licensing for activities such as driving. (2) In determining the residency of a person involuntarily confined in a state institution, the mere anticipation of a future grant of living quarters in a specific half-way house shall not be sufficient to establish intent to reside in such half-way house following release from the institution. (c) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter to the contrary, whenever county boundary lines cross through a farm being operated as a single unit, leaving such farm in two (2) separate counties, persons residing on such farms may make a one-time election to register to vote in either county. The administrator of elections shall place a person who chooses to register in the county which adjoins the physical location of the person's residence in the precinct where the property in the adjoining county is located. (2) For the purpose of this subsection (c), "farm" means a tract of land of at least fifteen (15) acres constituting a farm unit engaged in the production of growing crops, plants, animals, nursery or floral products. Such farm shall produce gross agricultural income averaging at least one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) per year over a three-year period. (d) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter to the contrary, a person shall be eligible to register to vote in the county where the person pays property taxes on the person's primary residence even though the property is partially or totally located in another county, but the only access to the property is through the county where the person pays property taxes. Any person residing at such property shall make a one-time election to register to vote in either the county where the property taxes are paid or the county where the property is located. (2) The county election commission may require the person to provide written documentation that the person pays property tax in the county if a person chooses to register in the county where the property taxes are paid. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1973, ch. 327, § 3; T.C.A., § 2-222; Acts 1989, ch. 590, § 11; 1994, ch. 859, § 13; 1994, ch. 919, § 19; 2005, ch. 163, §§ 1, 2; 2008, ch. 939, § 1.
(a) The determination of whether a person is a resident or where the person resides or has residence for purposes of the election code shall be made in the light of the following principles: (1) The residence of a person is that place in which the person's habitation is fixed, and to which, whenever the person is absent, the person has a definite intention to return; provided, that a person may not register to vote using a business location as the registration address when the sole basis for the person's presence at such location is based on a business or commercial use; (2) A change of residence is generally made only by the act of removal joined with the intent to remain in another place. There can be only one (1) residence; (3) A person does not become a resident of a place solely by intending to make it the person's residence. There must be appropriate action consistent with the intention; (4) A person does not lose residence if, with the definite intention of returning, the person leaves home and goes to another country, state or place within this state for temporary purposes, even if of one or more years duration; (5) The place where a married person's spouse and family have their habitation is presumed to be the person's place of residence, but a married person who takes up or continues abode with the intention of remaining at a place other than where the person's family resides is a resident where the person abides; (6) A person may be a resident of a place regardless of the nature of the person's habitation, whether house or apartment, mobile home or public institution, owned or rented; however, a commercial address may not be used for residential purposes, unless the applicant provides evidence of such applicant's residential use of such address; (7) A person does not gain or lose residence solely by reason of the person's presence or absence while employed in the service of the United States or of this state, or while a student at an institution of learning, or while kept in an institution at public expense, or while confined in a public prison or while living on a military reservation; and (8) No member of the armed forces of the United States, or such member's spouse or dependent, is a resident of this state solely by reason of being stationed in this state.
(1) The residence of a person is that place in which the person's habitation is fixed, and to which, whenever the person is absent, the person has a definite intention to return; provided, that a person may not register to vote using a business location as the registration address when the sole basis for the person's presence at such location is based on a business or commercial use;
(2) A change of residence is generally made only by the act of removal joined with the intent to remain in another place. There can be only one (1) residence;
(3) A person does not become a resident of a place solely by intending to make it the person's residence. There must be appropriate action consistent with the intention;
(4) A person does not lose residence if, with the definite intention of returning, the person leaves home and goes to another country, state or place within this state for temporary purposes, even if of one or more years duration;
(5) The place where a married person's spouse and family have their habitation is presumed to be the person's place of residence, but a married person who takes up or continues abode with the intention of remaining at a place other than where the person's family resides is a resident where the person abides;
(6) A person may be a resident of a place regardless of the nature of the person's habitation, whether house or apartment, mobile home or public institution, owned or rented; however, a commercial address may not be used for residential purposes, unless the applicant provides evidence of such applicant's residential use of such address;
(7) A person does not gain or lose residence solely by reason of the person's presence or absence while employed in the service of the United States or of this state, or while a student at an institution of learning, or while kept in an institution at public expense, or while confined in a public prison or while living on a military reservation; and
(8) No member of the armed forces of the United States, or such member's spouse or dependent, is a resident of this state solely by reason of being stationed in this state.
(b) (1) The following factors, among other relevant matters, may be considered in the determination of where a person is a resident: (A) The person's possession, acquisition or surrender of inhabitable property; (B) Location of the person's occupation; (C) Place of licensing or registration of the person's personal property; (D) Place of payment of taxes which are governed by residence; (E) Purpose of the person's presence in a particular place; and (F) Place of the person's licensing for activities such as driving. (2) In determining the residency of a person involuntarily confined in a state institution, the mere anticipation of a future grant of living quarters in a specific half-way house shall not be sufficient to establish intent to reside in such half-way house following release from the institution.
(1) The following factors, among other relevant matters, may be considered in the determination of where a person is a resident: (A) The person's possession, acquisition or surrender of inhabitable property; (B) Location of the person's occupation; (C) Place of licensing or registration of the person's personal property; (D) Place of payment of taxes which are governed by residence; (E) Purpose of the person's presence in a particular place; and (F) Place of the person's licensing for activities such as driving.
(A) The person's possession, acquisition or surrender of inhabitable property;
(B) Location of the person's occupation;
(C) Place of licensing or registration of the person's personal property;
(D) Place of payment of taxes which are governed by residence;
(E) Purpose of the person's presence in a particular place; and
(F) Place of the person's licensing for activities such as driving.
(2) In determining the residency of a person involuntarily confined in a state institution, the mere anticipation of a future grant of living quarters in a specific half-way house shall not be sufficient to establish intent to reside in such half-way house following release from the institution.
(c) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter to the contrary, whenever county boundary lines cross through a farm being operated as a single unit, leaving such farm in two (2) separate counties, persons residing on such farms may make a one-time election to register to vote in either county. The administrator of elections shall place a person who chooses to register in the county which adjoins the physical location of the person's residence in the precinct where the property in the adjoining county is located. (2) For the purpose of this subsection (c), "farm" means a tract of land of at least fifteen (15) acres constituting a farm unit engaged in the production of growing crops, plants, animals, nursery or floral products. Such farm shall produce gross agricultural income averaging at least one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) per year over a three-year period.
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter to the contrary, whenever county boundary lines cross through a farm being operated as a single unit, leaving such farm in two (2) separate counties, persons residing on such farms may make a one-time election to register to vote in either county. The administrator of elections shall place a person who chooses to register in the county which adjoins the physical location of the person's residence in the precinct where the property in the adjoining county is located.
(2) For the purpose of this subsection (c), "farm" means a tract of land of at least fifteen (15) acres constituting a farm unit engaged in the production of growing crops, plants, animals, nursery or floral products. Such farm shall produce gross agricultural income averaging at least one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500) per year over a three-year period.
(d) (1) Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter to the contrary, a person shall be eligible to register to vote in the county where the person pays property taxes on the person's primary residence even though the property is partially or totally located in another county, but the only access to the property is through the county where the person pays property taxes. Any person residing at such property shall make a one-time election to register to vote in either the county where the property taxes are paid or the county where the property is located. (2) The county election commission may require the person to provide written documentation that the person pays property tax in the county if a person chooses to register in the county where the property taxes are paid.
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter to the contrary, a person shall be eligible to register to vote in the county where the person pays property taxes on the person's primary residence even though the property is partially or totally located in another county, but the only access to the property is through the county where the person pays property taxes. Any person residing at such property shall make a one-time election to register to vote in either the county where the property taxes are paid or the county where the property is located.
(2) The county election commission may require the person to provide written documentation that the person pays property tax in the county if a person chooses to register in the county where the property taxes are paid.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1973, ch. 327, § 3; T.C.A., § 2-222; Acts 1989, ch. 590, § 11; 1994, ch. 859, § 13; 1994, ch. 919, § 19; 2005, ch. 163, §§ 1, 2; 2008, ch. 939, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-13-206 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 13 / Section 2-13-206
County primary elections in metropolitan form of government - Costs
Status: in_force

All counties in the state which have a metropolitan form of government shall bear the expense of holding county primary elections for those political parties qualified under this chapter. Acts 1973, ch. 363, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1324.
All counties in the state which have a metropolitan form of government shall bear the expense of holding county primary elections for those political parties qualified under this chapter.
Acts 1973, ch. 363, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1324.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-8-113 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 8 / Section 2-8-113
Primary elections - Determination of results
Status: in_force

(a) On the fourth Thursday after a primary election, the state coordinator of elections shall publicly calculate and compare the votes received by each person and declare who has been nominated for office in the primary or elected to the state executive committee. The candidates who receive the highest number of votes shall be declared elected or nominated; provided, that in order for any person to receive a party nomination by write-in ballots, such person must receive a number of write-in votes equal to or greater than five percent (5%) of the total number of registered voters of the district. However, this section shall not apply where there are candidates for the office involved listed on the official ballot. (b) The coordinator of elections may delegate the duty under subsection (a) to county primary boards with respect to offices to be elected by voters within a single county and, if requested by the state executive committee of a political party, shall delegate such duty to the county primary boards. The county primary boards shall send the results of the primary election to the state party executive committee unless the state party executive committee wishes to exercise its functions under this section as a party primary board. The state party executive committee may revoke or rescind its request that the coordinator of elections delegate such duty to the county primary boards. (c) Any person trying to receive a party nomination by write-in ballots shall complete a notice requesting such person's ballots be counted in each county of the district no later than twelve o'clock (12:00) noon, prevailing time, fifty (50) days before the primary election. Such person shall only have votes counted in counties where such notice was completed and timely filed. Write-in candidates for the offices of governor, United States senator and representative in the United States congress shall file their notice with the state coordinator of elections. The notice shall be on a form prescribed by the coordinator of elections and shall not require signatures of any person other than the write-in candidate requesting ballots be counted. The coordinator of elections shall distribute such form to the county election commissions. Upon timely receiving the notice required by this subsection (c), the county election commission shall promptly inform the state coordinator of elections, the registry of election finance, as well as all other candidates participating in the affected election. A write-in candidate may withdraw the notice by filing a letter of withdrawal in the same manner as the original notice was filed no later than the fifth day before the election. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1975, ch. 131, § 1; 1975, ch. 150, § 1; 1977, ch. 480, § 4; T.C.A., §2-813; Acts 2003 , ch. 307, § 3; 2005, ch. 302, § 2; 2006, ch. 965, §§1, 2; 2008 , ch. 928, §16; 2009 , ch. 218, §9; 2010 , ch. 1137, § 1.
(a) On the fourth Thursday after a primary election, the state coordinator of elections shall publicly calculate and compare the votes received by each person and declare who has been nominated for office in the primary or elected to the state executive committee. The candidates who receive the highest number of votes shall be declared elected or nominated; provided, that in order for any person to receive a party nomination by write-in ballots, such person must receive a number of write-in votes equal to or greater than five percent (5%) of the total number of registered voters of the district. However, this section shall not apply where there are candidates for the office involved listed on the official ballot.
(b) The coordinator of elections may delegate the duty under subsection (a) to county primary boards with respect to offices to be elected by voters within a single county and, if requested by the state executive committee of a political party, shall delegate such duty to the county primary boards. The county primary boards shall send the results of the primary election to the state party executive committee unless the state party executive committee wishes to exercise its functions under this section as a party primary board. The state party executive committee may revoke or rescind its request that the coordinator of elections delegate such duty to the county primary boards.
(c) Any person trying to receive a party nomination by write-in ballots shall complete a notice requesting such person's ballots be counted in each county of the district no later than twelve o'clock (12:00) noon, prevailing time, fifty (50) days before the primary election. Such person shall only have votes counted in counties where such notice was completed and timely filed. Write-in candidates for the offices of governor, United States senator and representative in the United States congress shall file their notice with the state coordinator of elections. The notice shall be on a form prescribed by the coordinator of elections and shall not require signatures of any person other than the write-in candidate requesting ballots be counted. The coordinator of elections shall distribute such form to the county election commissions. Upon timely receiving the notice required by this subsection (c), the county election commission shall promptly inform the state coordinator of elections, the registry of election finance, as well as all other candidates participating in the affected election. A write-in candidate may withdraw the notice by filing a letter of withdrawal in the same manner as the original notice was filed no later than the fifth day before the election.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1975, ch. 131, § 1; 1975, ch. 150, § 1; 1977, ch. 480, § 4; T.C.A., §2-813; Acts 2003 , ch. 307, § 3; 2005, ch. 302, § 2; 2006, ch. 965, §§1, 2; 2008 , ch. 928, §16; 2009 , ch. 218, §9; 2010 , ch. 1137, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-7-123 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 7 / Section 2-7-123
Challenges to right to vote - Oath of challenged voter
Status: in_force

If any person's right to vote is challenged by any other person present at the polling place, the judges shall present the challenge to the person and decide the challenge after administering the following oath to the challenged voter: "I swear (affirm) that I will give true answers to questions asked about my right to vote in the election I have applied to vote in." A person who refuses to take the oath may not vote. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-723.
If any person's right to vote is challenged by any other person present at the polling place, the judges shall present the challenge to the person and decide the challenge after administering the following oath to the challenged voter: "I swear (affirm) that I will give true answers to questions asked about my right to vote in the election I have applied to vote in." A person who refuses to take the oath may not vote.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-723.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-18-116 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 18 / Section 2-18-116
Finality of determination
Status: in_force

When the general assembly has determined the contest for governor under this chapter, the determination is final and conclusive. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1816.
When the general assembly has determined the contest for governor under this chapter, the determination is final and conclusive.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1816.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-127 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 2 / Section 2-2-127
Permanent registration records open to inspection - Social security number redaction and use
Status: in_force

(a) Permanent registration records as public records shall be kept in a safe place by the commission, shall be available for public inspection, and may not be removed from the office of the commission except as required for the performance of duties under this title or in compliance with court orders; provided, that a registrar shall make a reasonable effort to redact a person's social security number from a record before such record is made available to any person other than the holder of the number if such record is stored in a computer readable format on April 12, 1999. When such records are first stored in computer readable format or when changes are made to any computer program that stores or accesses records, a registrar shall redact a person's social security number from a record before such record is made available to any person other than the holder of the number. The coordinator of elections shall also redact the social security number before making any voter registration records available to the public. (b) Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to prohibit an agency of a state, county, or municipal office from using a person's social security number for internal purposes or to prohibit a county election commission and its staff from using a person's social security number for enforcement of the election law as provided in this title, and nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to limit the public's access to that record. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-227; Acts 1999, ch. 88, §§ 1, 2.
(a) Permanent registration records as public records shall be kept in a safe place by the commission, shall be available for public inspection, and may not be removed from the office of the commission except as required for the performance of duties under this title or in compliance with court orders; provided, that a registrar shall make a reasonable effort to redact a person's social security number from a record before such record is made available to any person other than the holder of the number if such record is stored in a computer readable format on April 12, 1999. When such records are first stored in computer readable format or when changes are made to any computer program that stores or accesses records, a registrar shall redact a person's social security number from a record before such record is made available to any person other than the holder of the number. The coordinator of elections shall also redact the social security number before making any voter registration records available to the public.
(b) Nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to prohibit an agency of a state, county, or municipal office from using a person's social security number for internal purposes or to prohibit a county election commission and its staff from using a person's social security number for enforcement of the election law as provided in this title, and nothing in subsection (a) shall be construed to limit the public's access to that record.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-227; Acts 1999, ch. 88, §§ 1, 2.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-143 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 2 / Section 2-2-143
[Repealed]
Status: repealed

Repealed by 2020 Tenn. Acts, ch. 654,s 2, eff. 4/2/2020. Added by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 250,s 2, eff. 10/1/2019.
Repealed by 2020 Tenn. Acts, ch. 654,s 2, eff. 4/2/2020.
Added by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 250,s 2, eff. 10/1/2019.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-3-306 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 3 / Section 2-3-306
Voting period for convenient voting centers
Status: in_force

(a) Convenient voting centers shall be open for voting for a minimum of ten (10) continuous hours but no more than thirteen (13) hours. All convenient voting centers in the eastern time zone shall close at eight o'clock p.m. (8:00 p.m.), prevailing time, and convenient voting centers in the central time zone shall close at seven o'clock p.m. (7:00 p.m.) prevailing time. (b) At least fifteen (15) days before the date of each election, the county election commission shall determine a uniform time for the opening of all convenient voting centers. Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 768,s 1, eff. 1/1/2017. Acts 2008, ch. 1087, § 1.
(a) Convenient voting centers shall be open for voting for a minimum of ten (10) continuous hours but no more than thirteen (13) hours. All convenient voting centers in the eastern time zone shall close at eight o'clock p.m. (8:00 p.m.), prevailing time, and convenient voting centers in the central time zone shall close at seven o'clock p.m. (7:00 p.m.) prevailing time.
(b) At least fifteen (15) days before the date of each election, the county election commission shall determine a uniform time for the opening of all convenient voting centers.
Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 768,s 1, eff. 1/1/2017.
Acts 2008, ch. 1087, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-13-113 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 13 / Section 2-13-113
Information furnished primary boards
Status: in_force

The state and county election commissions shall furnish to the state and county primary boards such information and such access to records as may be required to enable the boards to carry out their duties under this title. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1318.
The state and county election commissions shall furnish to the state and county primary boards such information and such access to records as may be required to enable the boards to carry out their duties under this title.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1318.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-11-202 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 11 / Section 2-11-202
Duties of coordinator - Examination and certification of administrators of elections
Status: in_force

(a) The coordinator of elections shall: (1) Generally supervise all elections; (2) Prepare instructions for the conduct of registration; (3) Advise election commissions, primary boards, and administrators of elections as to the proper methods of performing their duties; (4) Authoritatively interpret the election laws for all persons administering them; (5) (A) (i) Investigate or have investigated by local authorities the administration of the election laws and report violations to the district attorney general or grand jury for prosecution; and (ii) Review the county election commissions in the administration of election laws to include, but not limited to, procedures for voter registration, list maintenance, financial records, election expenses, petitions, poll officials, absentee voting, ballot boxes, voting systems, minutes, certification of election results, and election results tabulation process; (B) In conducting an investigation or a review relative to the administration of the election laws pursuant to subdivision (a)(5)(A)(i) or (a)(5)(A)(ii) the coordinator of elections or the coordinator's authorized representative may issue subpoenas and summon witnesses, administer oaths to such witnesses, take the depositions of witnesses, compel the production of documents, exhibits, records or things, and require testimony on any issue related to the investigation or review. If a subpoena is issued, such subpoena will be issued to a person for the purpose of testifying before the state election commission in an open meeting; (C) (i) Any report of an investigation conducted by the coordinator's office pursuant to the request of the attorney general and reporter and/or a district attorney general and filed with the attorney general and reporter and/or a district attorney general or a grand jury shall be privileged and confidential and shall not be deemed to be a public record; (ii) The report of an investigation into the seating of a member of the general assembly shall be deemed to be a public record; (iii) If a report of an investigation conducted by the coordinator's office pursuant to the request of the attorney general and reporter and/or a district attorney general appears in the news media, in whole or in part, such report shall be deemed a public record and immediately released. All conclusions of law contained in such report shall be approved by the attorney general and reporter before the report is released; (6) If a county election commission does not purge the permanent registration records as required by law, the coordinator of elections shall investigate the registration records of that county and file a petition with the circuit or chancery court in the county to purge the permanent registration records of those persons the coordinator of elections determines should have been purged by the county election commission; (7) Publish in accordance with the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the state publications committee, and keep up to date an election laws manual, including this title, rules and regulations under this title, and such other material as the coordinator of elections may determine to be useful to persons administering the election laws, and prepare condensed materials for the use of election officials; (8) Furnish instructions for election officials as to their duties in the conduct of elections and copies of election laws manual and updating materials to the election commissions, primary boards, and administrators. Any interested citizen may purchase a copy of the election laws through the coordinator of elections office at a price to be established by the coordinator. The price charged may not exceed the actual cost involved; (9) Provide materials for and conduct training programs for persons administering the election laws; (10) Review all bills affecting the election laws and report in writing to the general assembly on them individually; (11) Report to each general assembly with any recommendations the coordinator of elections may have for improvements in the election laws or their application; (12) Ensure that all election commissions within the state shall prohibit any person from becoming qualified to have such person's name placed on any ballot wherein such person is seeking to be nominated or elected to an office for which such person is ineligible or to more than one (1) state legislative office, as described in § 2-13-202 , voted on by voters during any primary or general election; (13) Prepare an instruction sheet for notaries public setting forth the proper and legal procedure for attesting absentee ballots and registration by mail forms. Such instructions shall be sent, in sufficient quantities, to every county clerk in this state, who shall make such instruction sheet available to notaries public in such county upon their request and to notaries public elected after July 1, 1979; (14) Properly file and keep up to date the information supplied by the county election commissions as established in § 2-12-114 ; and, further, to supply that information, within a reasonable time, to any member of the general assembly upon request; (15) Develop a uniform petition form for use by persons seeking to qualify to run for public office and furnish such form to county election commissions for distribution to such persons; (16) Devise and furnish to the clerks of the circuit and criminal courts a form to be used for notifying county election commissions of the fact that a registered voter in their county has been convicted of an infamous crime and therefore should be purged from the registration records. Such form shall include the voter's name, race, date of birth, and social security number, if available; (17) Instruct the administrators in each county that they are to purge the registration of any person appearing on the infamous crime list required by subdivision (a)(16) who is registered to vote in their county; (18) (A) Not less than one (1) time per calendar year, conduct a training seminar for administrators, deputies and county election commissioners. Attendance at such seminars shall be mandatory for administrators and the expenses incurred in such attendance shall, upon appropriate documentation, be included in the county election commission's annual budget submitted pursuant to § 2-12-109 [See Compiler's Notes] subject to the reimbursement limits for state employees. If for any reason the administrator cannot attend, the chair or the chair's designee shall attend instead; (B) Unless, in the opinion of the state election commission, an administrator certified under this section has good cause for failing to attend and participate in the training seminars required by this subsection (a), such failure to attend and participate in the seminars shall result in the loss of such administrator's certification. Within thirty (30) days of receiving the training seminar attendance records from the coordinator of elections pursuant to subdivision (a)(19), such commission shall cause to be notified the state official responsible for authorizing payments to counties pursuant to § 2-12-209 [See Compiler's Note], of the counties in which the administrator has lost such certification for failing to attend and participate in such seminars; (C) In addition to the penalties set forth in subdivision (a)(18)(B), if, in the opinion of the state election commission, an administrator fails to substantially perform the duties of the office, the state election commission may revoke the certification of such administrator or otherwise discipline the administrator. In all such cases, the administrator being charged shall be given a hearing before the state election commission. If, after the hearing, the state election commission votes to revoke the certification, such commission shall cause to be notified the state official responsible for authorizing payments to counties pursuant to § 2-12-209 [See Compiler's Note], of such revocation and payments to that county shall terminate; and (19) Keep accurate records of those administrators who do and do not attend the training seminars required by subdivision (a)(18) and, within ten (10) days of the conclusion of each such seminar, transmit such records to the state election commission. (b) The coordinator of elections and the state election commission shall, at least once per calendar year, prepare and administer a written examination on election laws to any administrator who desires to take the examination. The coordinator of elections and the state election commission shall determine whether or not an administrator passes or fails such examination. All examinations administered pursuant to this subsection (b) shall be prepared, conducted and graded in a fair and impartial manner. An administrator who successfully passes such examination shall receive certification from the state election commission. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1976, ch. 511, §§ 1, 2; 1978, ch. 940, § 2; 1979, ch. 316, § 5; 1979, ch. 317, § 2; T.C.A., § 2-1112; Acts 1981, ch. 256, § 1; 1981, ch. 345, § 6; 1981, ch. 478, §§ 1, 19; 1982, ch. 631, § 2; 1984, ch. 636, § 3; 1984, ch. 703, §§ 1-3; 1985, ch. 132, § 2; 1986, ch. 930, §§ 3, 4, 7; 1990, ch. 1024, § 5; 1993, ch. 208, § 1; 2000, ch. 756, § 18; 2011 , ch. 311, § 1.
(a) The coordinator of elections shall: (1) Generally supervise all elections; (2) Prepare instructions for the conduct of registration; (3) Advise election commissions, primary boards, and administrators of elections as to the proper methods of performing their duties; (4) Authoritatively interpret the election laws for all persons administering them; (5) (A) (i) Investigate or have investigated by local authorities the administration of the election laws and report violations to the district attorney general or grand jury for prosecution; and (ii) Review the county election commissions in the administration of election laws to include, but not limited to, procedures for voter registration, list maintenance, financial records, election expenses, petitions, poll officials, absentee voting, ballot boxes, voting systems, minutes, certification of election results, and election results tabulation process; (B) In conducting an investigation or a review relative to the administration of the election laws pursuant to subdivision (a)(5)(A)(i) or (a)(5)(A)(ii) the coordinator of elections or the coordinator's authorized representative may issue subpoenas and summon witnesses, administer oaths to such witnesses, take the depositions of witnesses, compel the production of documents, exhibits, records or things, and require testimony on any issue related to the investigation or review. If a subpoena is issued, such subpoena will be issued to a person for the purpose of testifying before the state election commission in an open meeting; (C) (i) Any report of an investigation conducted by the coordinator's office pursuant to the request of the attorney general and reporter and/or a district attorney general and filed with the attorney general and reporter and/or a district attorney general or a grand jury shall be privileged and confidential and shall not be deemed to be a public record; (ii) The report of an investigation into the seating of a member of the general assembly shall be deemed to be a public record; (iii) If a report of an investigation conducted by the coordinator's office pursuant to the request of the attorney general and reporter and/or a district attorney general appears in the news media, in whole or in part, such report shall be deemed a public record and immediately released. All conclusions of law contained in such report shall be approved by the attorney general and reporter before the report is released; (6) If a county election commission does not purge the permanent registration records as required by law, the coordinator of elections shall investigate the registration records of that county and file a petition with the circuit or chancery court in the county to purge the permanent registration records of those persons the coordinator of elections determines should have been purged by the county election commission; (7) Publish in accordance with the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the state publications committee, and keep up to date an election laws manual, including this title, rules and regulations under this title, and such other material as the coordinator of elections may determine to be useful to persons administering the election laws, and prepare condensed materials for the use of election officials; (8) Furnish instructions for election officials as to their duties in the conduct of elections and copies of election laws manual and updating materials to the election commissions, primary boards, and administrators. Any interested citizen may purchase a copy of the election laws through the coordinator of elections office at a price to be established by the coordinator. The price charged may not exceed the actual cost involved; (9) Provide materials for and conduct training programs for persons administering the election laws; (10) Review all bills affecting the election laws and report in writing to the general assembly on them individually; (11) Report to each general assembly with any recommendations the coordinator of elections may have for improvements in the election laws or their application; (12) Ensure that all election commissions within the state shall prohibit any person from becoming qualified to have such person's name placed on any ballot wherein such person is seeking to be nominated or elected to an office for which such person is ineligible or to more than one (1) state legislative office, as described in § 2-13-202 , voted on by voters during any primary or general election; (13) Prepare an instruction sheet for notaries public setting forth the proper and legal procedure for attesting absentee ballots and registration by mail forms. Such instructions shall be sent, in sufficient quantities, to every county clerk in this state, who shall make such instruction sheet available to notaries public in such county upon their request and to notaries public elected after July 1, 1979; (14) Properly file and keep up to date the information supplied by the county election commissions as established in § 2-12-114 ; and, further, to supply that information, within a reasonable time, to any member of the general assembly upon request; (15) Develop a uniform petition form for use by persons seeking to qualify to run for public office and furnish such form to county election commissions for distribution to such persons; (16) Devise and furnish to the clerks of the circuit and criminal courts a form to be used for notifying county election commissions of the fact that a registered voter in their county has been convicted of an infamous crime and therefore should be purged from the registration records. Such form shall include the voter's name, race, date of birth, and social security number, if available; (17) Instruct the administrators in each county that they are to purge the registration of any person appearing on the infamous crime list required by subdivision (a)(16) who is registered to vote in their county; (18) (A) Not less than one (1) time per calendar year, conduct a training seminar for administrators, deputies and county election commissioners. Attendance at such seminars shall be mandatory for administrators and the expenses incurred in such attendance shall, upon appropriate documentation, be included in the county election commission's annual budget submitted pursuant to § 2-12-109 [See Compiler's Notes] subject to the reimbursement limits for state employees. If for any reason the administrator cannot attend, the chair or the chair's designee shall attend instead; (B) Unless, in the opinion of the state election commission, an administrator certified under this section has good cause for failing to attend and participate in the training seminars required by this subsection (a), such failure to attend and participate in the seminars shall result in the loss of such administrator's certification. Within thirty (30) days of receiving the training seminar attendance records from the coordinator of elections pursuant to subdivision (a)(19), such commission shall cause to be notified the state official responsible for authorizing payments to counties pursuant to § 2-12-209 [See Compiler's Note], of the counties in which the administrator has lost such certification for failing to attend and participate in such seminars; (C) In addition to the penalties set forth in subdivision (a)(18)(B), if, in the opinion of the state election commission, an administrator fails to substantially perform the duties of the office, the state election commission may revoke the certification of such administrator or otherwise discipline the administrator. In all such cases, the administrator being charged shall be given a hearing before the state election commission. If, after the hearing, the state election commission votes to revoke the certification, such commission shall cause to be notified the state official responsible for authorizing payments to counties pursuant to § 2-12-209 [See Compiler's Note], of such revocation and payments to that county shall terminate; and (19) Keep accurate records of those administrators who do and do not attend the training seminars required by subdivision (a)(18) and, within ten (10) days of the conclusion of each such seminar, transmit such records to the state election commission.
(1) Generally supervise all elections;
(2) Prepare instructions for the conduct of registration;
(3) Advise election commissions, primary boards, and administrators of elections as to the proper methods of performing their duties;
(4) Authoritatively interpret the election laws for all persons administering them;
(5) (A) (i) Investigate or have investigated by local authorities the administration of the election laws and report violations to the district attorney general or grand jury for prosecution; and (ii) Review the county election commissions in the administration of election laws to include, but not limited to, procedures for voter registration, list maintenance, financial records, election expenses, petitions, poll officials, absentee voting, ballot boxes, voting systems, minutes, certification of election results, and election results tabulation process; (B) In conducting an investigation or a review relative to the administration of the election laws pursuant to subdivision (a)(5)(A)(i) or (a)(5)(A)(ii) the coordinator of elections or the coordinator's authorized representative may issue subpoenas and summon witnesses, administer oaths to such witnesses, take the depositions of witnesses, compel the production of documents, exhibits, records or things, and require testimony on any issue related to the investigation or review. If a subpoena is issued, such subpoena will be issued to a person for the purpose of testifying before the state election commission in an open meeting; (C) (i) Any report of an investigation conducted by the coordinator's office pursuant to the request of the attorney general and reporter and/or a district attorney general and filed with the attorney general and reporter and/or a district attorney general or a grand jury shall be privileged and confidential and shall not be deemed to be a public record; (ii) The report of an investigation into the seating of a member of the general assembly shall be deemed to be a public record; (iii) If a report of an investigation conducted by the coordinator's office pursuant to the request of the attorney general and reporter and/or a district attorney general appears in the news media, in whole or in part, such report shall be deemed a public record and immediately released. All conclusions of law contained in such report shall be approved by the attorney general and reporter before the report is released;
(A) (i) Investigate or have investigated by local authorities the administration of the election laws and report violations to the district attorney general or grand jury for prosecution; and (ii) Review the county election commissions in the administration of election laws to include, but not limited to, procedures for voter registration, list maintenance, financial records, election expenses, petitions, poll officials, absentee voting, ballot boxes, voting systems, minutes, certification of election results, and election results tabulation process;
(i) Investigate or have investigated by local authorities the administration of the election laws and report violations to the district attorney general or grand jury for prosecution; and
(ii) Review the county election commissions in the administration of election laws to include, but not limited to, procedures for voter registration, list maintenance, financial records, election expenses, petitions, poll officials, absentee voting, ballot boxes, voting systems, minutes, certification of election results, and election results tabulation process;
(B) In conducting an investigation or a review relative to the administration of the election laws pursuant to subdivision (a)(5)(A)(i) or (a)(5)(A)(ii) the coordinator of elections or the coordinator's authorized representative may issue subpoenas and summon witnesses, administer oaths to such witnesses, take the depositions of witnesses, compel the production of documents, exhibits, records or things, and require testimony on any issue related to the investigation or review. If a subpoena is issued, such subpoena will be issued to a person for the purpose of testifying before the state election commission in an open meeting;
(C) (i) Any report of an investigation conducted by the coordinator's office pursuant to the request of the attorney general and reporter and/or a district attorney general and filed with the attorney general and reporter and/or a district attorney general or a grand jury shall be privileged and confidential and shall not be deemed to be a public record; (ii) The report of an investigation into the seating of a member of the general assembly shall be deemed to be a public record; (iii) If a report of an investigation conducted by the coordinator's office pursuant to the request of the attorney general and reporter and/or a district attorney general appears in the news media, in whole or in part, such report shall be deemed a public record and immediately released. All conclusions of law contained in such report shall be approved by the attorney general and reporter before the report is released;
(i) Any report of an investigation conducted by the coordinator's office pursuant to the request of the attorney general and reporter and/or a district attorney general and filed with the attorney general and reporter and/or a district attorney general or a grand jury shall be privileged and confidential and shall not be deemed to be a public record;
(ii) The report of an investigation into the seating of a member of the general assembly shall be deemed to be a public record;
(iii) If a report of an investigation conducted by the coordinator's office pursuant to the request of the attorney general and reporter and/or a district attorney general appears in the news media, in whole or in part, such report shall be deemed a public record and immediately released. All conclusions of law contained in such report shall be approved by the attorney general and reporter before the report is released;
(6) If a county election commission does not purge the permanent registration records as required by law, the coordinator of elections shall investigate the registration records of that county and file a petition with the circuit or chancery court in the county to purge the permanent registration records of those persons the coordinator of elections determines should have been purged by the county election commission;
(7) Publish in accordance with the rules, regulations, policies and procedures of the state publications committee, and keep up to date an election laws manual, including this title, rules and regulations under this title, and such other material as the coordinator of elections may determine to be useful to persons administering the election laws, and prepare condensed materials for the use of election officials;
(8) Furnish instructions for election officials as to their duties in the conduct of elections and copies of election laws manual and updating materials to the election commissions, primary boards, and administrators. Any interested citizen may purchase a copy of the election laws through the coordinator of elections office at a price to be established by the coordinator. The price charged may not exceed the actual cost involved;
(9) Provide materials for and conduct training programs for persons administering the election laws;
(10) Review all bills affecting the election laws and report in writing to the general assembly on them individually;
(11) Report to each general assembly with any recommendations the coordinator of elections may have for improvements in the election laws or their application;
(12) Ensure that all election commissions within the state shall prohibit any person from becoming qualified to have such person's name placed on any ballot wherein such person is seeking to be nominated or elected to an office for which such person is ineligible or to more than one (1) state legislative office, as described in § 2-13-202 , voted on by voters during any primary or general election;
(13) Prepare an instruction sheet for notaries public setting forth the proper and legal procedure for attesting absentee ballots and registration by mail forms. Such instructions shall be sent, in sufficient quantities, to every county clerk in this state, who shall make such instruction sheet available to notaries public in such county upon their request and to notaries public elected after July 1, 1979;
(14) Properly file and keep up to date the information supplied by the county election commissions as established in § 2-12-114 ; and, further, to supply that information, within a reasonable time, to any member of the general assembly upon request;
(15) Develop a uniform petition form for use by persons seeking to qualify to run for public office and furnish such form to county election commissions for distribution to such persons;
(16) Devise and furnish to the clerks of the circuit and criminal courts a form to be used for notifying county election commissions of the fact that a registered voter in their county has been convicted of an infamous crime and therefore should be purged from the registration records. Such form shall include the voter's name, race, date of birth, and social security number, if available;
(17) Instruct the administrators in each county that they are to purge the registration of any person appearing on the infamous crime list required by subdivision (a)(16) who is registered to vote in their county;
(18) (A) Not less than one (1) time per calendar year, conduct a training seminar for administrators, deputies and county election commissioners. Attendance at such seminars shall be mandatory for administrators and the expenses incurred in such attendance shall, upon appropriate documentation, be included in the county election commission's annual budget submitted pursuant to § 2-12-109 [See Compiler's Notes] subject to the reimbursement limits for state employees. If for any reason the administrator cannot attend, the chair or the chair's designee shall attend instead; (B) Unless, in the opinion of the state election commission, an administrator certified under this section has good cause for failing to attend and participate in the training seminars required by this subsection (a), such failure to attend and participate in the seminars shall result in the loss of such administrator's certification. Within thirty (30) days of receiving the training seminar attendance records from the coordinator of elections pursuant to subdivision (a)(19), such commission shall cause to be notified the state official responsible for authorizing payments to counties pursuant to § 2-12-209 [See Compiler's Note], of the counties in which the administrator has lost such certification for failing to attend and participate in such seminars; (C) In addition to the penalties set forth in subdivision (a)(18)(B), if, in the opinion of the state election commission, an administrator fails to substantially perform the duties of the office, the state election commission may revoke the certification of such administrator or otherwise discipline the administrator. In all such cases, the administrator being charged shall be given a hearing before the state election commission. If, after the hearing, the state election commission votes to revoke the certification, such commission shall cause to be notified the state official responsible for authorizing payments to counties pursuant to § 2-12-209 [See Compiler's Note], of such revocation and payments to that county shall terminate; and
(A) Not less than one (1) time per calendar year, conduct a training seminar for administrators, deputies and county election commissioners. Attendance at such seminars shall be mandatory for administrators and the expenses incurred in such attendance shall, upon appropriate documentation, be included in the county election commission's annual budget submitted pursuant to § 2-12-109 [See Compiler's Notes] subject to the reimbursement limits for state employees. If for any reason the administrator cannot attend, the chair or the chair's designee shall attend instead;
(B) Unless, in the opinion of the state election commission, an administrator certified under this section has good cause for failing to attend and participate in the training seminars required by this subsection (a), such failure to attend and participate in the seminars shall result in the loss of such administrator's certification. Within thirty (30) days of receiving the training seminar attendance records from the coordinator of elections pursuant to subdivision (a)(19), such commission shall cause to be notified the state official responsible for authorizing payments to counties pursuant to § 2-12-209 [See Compiler's Note], of the counties in which the administrator has lost such certification for failing to attend and participate in such seminars;
(C) In addition to the penalties set forth in subdivision (a)(18)(B), if, in the opinion of the state election commission, an administrator fails to substantially perform the duties of the office, the state election commission may revoke the certification of such administrator or otherwise discipline the administrator. In all such cases, the administrator being charged shall be given a hearing before the state election commission. If, after the hearing, the state election commission votes to revoke the certification, such commission shall cause to be notified the state official responsible for authorizing payments to counties pursuant to § 2-12-209 [See Compiler's Note], of such revocation and payments to that county shall terminate; and
(19) Keep accurate records of those administrators who do and do not attend the training seminars required by subdivision (a)(18) and, within ten (10) days of the conclusion of each such seminar, transmit such records to the state election commission.
(b) The coordinator of elections and the state election commission shall, at least once per calendar year, prepare and administer a written examination on election laws to any administrator who desires to take the examination. The coordinator of elections and the state election commission shall determine whether or not an administrator passes or fails such examination. All examinations administered pursuant to this subsection (b) shall be prepared, conducted and graded in a fair and impartial manner. An administrator who successfully passes such examination shall receive certification from the state election commission.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1976, ch. 511, §§ 1, 2; 1978, ch. 940, § 2; 1979, ch. 316, § 5; 1979, ch. 317, § 2; T.C.A., § 2-1112; Acts 1981, ch. 256, § 1; 1981, ch. 345, § 6; 1981, ch. 478, §§ 1, 19; 1982, ch. 631, § 2; 1984, ch. 636, § 3; 1984, ch. 703, §§ 1-3; 1985, ch. 132, § 2; 1986, ch. 930, §§ 3, 4, 7; 1990, ch. 1024, § 5; 1993, ch. 208, § 1; 2000, ch. 756, § 18; 2011 , ch. 311, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-204 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 19 / Section 2-19-204
Promises of benefits for political activity
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for any public officer or employee, directly or indirectly, to promise employment, position, work, compensation, contracts, loans, grants, appropriations or other benefits provided principally from public funds as a consideration, favor or reward for any political activity, support or opposition to any candidate, party or measure in any election. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1939.
It is unlawful for any public officer or employee, directly or indirectly, to promise employment, position, work, compensation, contracts, loans, grants, appropriations or other benefits provided principally from public funds as a consideration, favor or reward for any political activity, support or opposition to any candidate, party or measure in any election.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1939.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-8-117 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 8 / Section 2-8-117
Use of instant runoff voting or ranked choice voting prohibited
Status: in_force

(a) As used in this section: (1) "Instant runoff voting" and "ranked choice voting" mean a method of casting and tabulating votes in which: (A) Voters rank candidates in order of preference; (B) Tabulation proceeds in rounds such that in each round either a candidate or candidates are elected or the last-place candidate is defeated; (C) Votes are transferred from elected or defeated candidates to the voters' next-ranked candidate or candidates in order of preference; and (D) Tabulation ends when a candidate receives the majority of votes cast or the number of candidates elected equals the number of offices to be filled, as applicable; and (2) "Local government" means an incorporated city or town, a county, a metropolitan form of government, a school, utility, or other regional or local district, or a unit of government that is governed by one (1) or more elected officials. (b) A county election commission shall not utilize instant runoff voting or ranked choice voting to conduct an election in this state for a statewide or local government office. Added by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 621,s 1, eff. 2/28/2022.
(a) As used in this section: (1) "Instant runoff voting" and "ranked choice voting" mean a method of casting and tabulating votes in which: (A) Voters rank candidates in order of preference; (B) Tabulation proceeds in rounds such that in each round either a candidate or candidates are elected or the last-place candidate is defeated; (C) Votes are transferred from elected or defeated candidates to the voters' next-ranked candidate or candidates in order of preference; and (D) Tabulation ends when a candidate receives the majority of votes cast or the number of candidates elected equals the number of offices to be filled, as applicable; and (2) "Local government" means an incorporated city or town, a county, a metropolitan form of government, a school, utility, or other regional or local district, or a unit of government that is governed by one (1) or more elected officials.
(1) "Instant runoff voting" and "ranked choice voting" mean a method of casting and tabulating votes in which: (A) Voters rank candidates in order of preference; (B) Tabulation proceeds in rounds such that in each round either a candidate or candidates are elected or the last-place candidate is defeated; (C) Votes are transferred from elected or defeated candidates to the voters' next-ranked candidate or candidates in order of preference; and (D) Tabulation ends when a candidate receives the majority of votes cast or the number of candidates elected equals the number of offices to be filled, as applicable; and
(A) Voters rank candidates in order of preference;
(B) Tabulation proceeds in rounds such that in each round either a candidate or candidates are elected or the last-place candidate is defeated;
(C) Votes are transferred from elected or defeated candidates to the voters' next-ranked candidate or candidates in order of preference; and
(D) Tabulation ends when a candidate receives the majority of votes cast or the number of candidates elected equals the number of offices to be filled, as applicable; and
(2) "Local government" means an incorporated city or town, a county, a metropolitan form of government, a school, utility, or other regional or local district, or a unit of government that is governed by one (1) or more elected officials.
(b) A county election commission shall not utilize instant runoff voting or ranked choice voting to conduct an election in this state for a statewide or local government office.
Added by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 621,s 1, eff. 2/28/2022.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-10-306 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 10 / Section 2-10-306
Aggregate limits - Exemptions
Status: in_force

(a) All contributions made by political campaign committees controlled by a political party on the national, state, or local level or by a caucus of such political party established by members of either house of the general assembly shall be considered to have been made by a single committee. Such contributions shall not, in the aggregate, exceed: (1) Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) per election to any candidate in a statewide election; (2) Forty thousand dollars ($40,000) per election to any candidate for the senate; and (3) Twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) per election to any candidate for any other state or local public office. (b) For purposes of this section, "contributions" does not include: (1) Payment of the costs of preparation, display or mailing or other distribution with respect to printed slate cards, sample ballots, or other printed listings of three (3) or more candidates who are opposed for election. This exemption does not apply to costs incurred with respect to the preparation and display of listings made on broadcasting stations or in newspapers, magazines and similar types of general public political advertising such as billboards; (2) Payment of the costs of voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities conducted by party committees, unless the payments are made on behalf of a clearly identified candidate and the payment can be directly attributed to that candidate; (3) Expenditures for rent, personnel, overhead, general administrative, fundraising, and other day-to-day costs of party committees, unless the expenditures are made on behalf of a clearly identified candidate and the expenditure can be directly attributed to that candidate; or (4) Expenditures for education campaign seminars and for training of campaign workers, unless the expenditures are made on behalf of a clearly identified candidate and the expenditure can be directly attributed to that candidate. (c) (1) Each contribution limit established in subsection (a) shall be adjusted to reflect the percentage of change in the average consumer price index (all items-city average), as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, for the period of January 1, 1996, through December 31, 2010. Each such adjustment shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of one hundred dollars ($100). The registry of election finance shall publish each such adjusted amount on its website. (2) On January 1, 2013, and every two (2) years thereafter, each contribution limit established in subsection (a), as adjusted pursuant to subdivision (c)(1), shall be further adjusted to reflect the percentage of change in the average consumer price index (all items-city average), as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, for the two-year period immediately preceding. Each such adjustment under this subdivision (c)(2) shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of one hundred dollars ($100). The registry of election finance shall publish each such adjusted amount on its website. Acts 1995, ch. 531, § 1; 2011 , ch. 389, § 5.
(a) All contributions made by political campaign committees controlled by a political party on the national, state, or local level or by a caucus of such political party established by members of either house of the general assembly shall be considered to have been made by a single committee. Such contributions shall not, in the aggregate, exceed: (1) Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) per election to any candidate in a statewide election; (2) Forty thousand dollars ($40,000) per election to any candidate for the senate; and (3) Twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) per election to any candidate for any other state or local public office.
(1) Two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) per election to any candidate in a statewide election;
(2) Forty thousand dollars ($40,000) per election to any candidate for the senate; and
(3) Twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) per election to any candidate for any other state or local public office.
(b) For purposes of this section, "contributions" does not include: (1) Payment of the costs of preparation, display or mailing or other distribution with respect to printed slate cards, sample ballots, or other printed listings of three (3) or more candidates who are opposed for election. This exemption does not apply to costs incurred with respect to the preparation and display of listings made on broadcasting stations or in newspapers, magazines and similar types of general public political advertising such as billboards; (2) Payment of the costs of voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities conducted by party committees, unless the payments are made on behalf of a clearly identified candidate and the payment can be directly attributed to that candidate; (3) Expenditures for rent, personnel, overhead, general administrative, fundraising, and other day-to-day costs of party committees, unless the expenditures are made on behalf of a clearly identified candidate and the expenditure can be directly attributed to that candidate; or (4) Expenditures for education campaign seminars and for training of campaign workers, unless the expenditures are made on behalf of a clearly identified candidate and the expenditure can be directly attributed to that candidate.
(1) Payment of the costs of preparation, display or mailing or other distribution with respect to printed slate cards, sample ballots, or other printed listings of three (3) or more candidates who are opposed for election. This exemption does not apply to costs incurred with respect to the preparation and display of listings made on broadcasting stations or in newspapers, magazines and similar types of general public political advertising such as billboards;
(2) Payment of the costs of voter registration and get-out-the-vote activities conducted by party committees, unless the payments are made on behalf of a clearly identified candidate and the payment can be directly attributed to that candidate;
(3) Expenditures for rent, personnel, overhead, general administrative, fundraising, and other day-to-day costs of party committees, unless the expenditures are made on behalf of a clearly identified candidate and the expenditure can be directly attributed to that candidate; or
(4) Expenditures for education campaign seminars and for training of campaign workers, unless the expenditures are made on behalf of a clearly identified candidate and the expenditure can be directly attributed to that candidate.
(c) (1) Each contribution limit established in subsection (a) shall be adjusted to reflect the percentage of change in the average consumer price index (all items-city average), as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, for the period of January 1, 1996, through December 31, 2010. Each such adjustment shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of one hundred dollars ($100). The registry of election finance shall publish each such adjusted amount on its website. (2) On January 1, 2013, and every two (2) years thereafter, each contribution limit established in subsection (a), as adjusted pursuant to subdivision (c)(1), shall be further adjusted to reflect the percentage of change in the average consumer price index (all items-city average), as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, for the two-year period immediately preceding. Each such adjustment under this subdivision (c)(2) shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of one hundred dollars ($100). The registry of election finance shall publish each such adjusted amount on its website.
(1) Each contribution limit established in subsection (a) shall be adjusted to reflect the percentage of change in the average consumer price index (all items-city average), as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, for the period of January 1, 1996, through December 31, 2010. Each such adjustment shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of one hundred dollars ($100). The registry of election finance shall publish each such adjusted amount on its website.
(2) On January 1, 2013, and every two (2) years thereafter, each contribution limit established in subsection (a), as adjusted pursuant to subdivision (c)(1), shall be further adjusted to reflect the percentage of change in the average consumer price index (all items-city average), as published by the United States department of labor, bureau of labor statistics, for the two-year period immediately preceding. Each such adjustment under this subdivision (c)(2) shall be rounded to the nearest multiple of one hundred dollars ($100). The registry of election finance shall publish each such adjusted amount on its website.
Acts 1995, ch. 531, § 1; 2011 , ch. 389, § 5.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-12-118 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 12 / Section 2-12-118
Acceptance of funding - Collection and expenditure of fees
Status: in_force

(a) The county election commission or the administrator of elections may only accept funding from appropriations of public funds from the United States government, the state of Tennessee, or a county or municipality in this state. The county election commission or the administrator of elections shall not accept or expend any grant, gift, or funding from private persons, corporations, organizations, partnerships, or political parties for conducting an election unless such acceptance or expenditure is approved by the secretary of state or designee of the secretary of state. (b) The county election commission and the administrator of elections may collect and expend fees authorized by law in this state. (c) This section does not apply to election information advertising, donation of use of a location for voting purposes, volunteer labor by citizens of Tennessee, pens, sanitizer, or nominal items. Added by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 306,s 2, eff. 5/4/2021.
(a) The county election commission or the administrator of elections may only accept funding from appropriations of public funds from the United States government, the state of Tennessee, or a county or municipality in this state. The county election commission or the administrator of elections shall not accept or expend any grant, gift, or funding from private persons, corporations, organizations, partnerships, or political parties for conducting an election unless such acceptance or expenditure is approved by the secretary of state or designee of the secretary of state.
(b) The county election commission and the administrator of elections may collect and expend fees authorized by law in this state.
(c) This section does not apply to election information advertising, donation of use of a location for voting purposes, volunteer labor by citizens of Tennessee, pens, sanitizer, or nominal items.
Added by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 306,s 2, eff. 5/4/2021.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-20-101 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 20 / Section 2-20-101
Utilization of precinct-based optical scanners
Status: in_force

(a) A county election commission may utilize precinct-based optical scanners. (b) As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Performance audit" means a review of the procedures followed to conduct the election; (2) "Precinct-based optical scanner" means an optical ballot scanner that is located in the precinct and into which optical scan voter-verified paper ballots, marked either by hand by the voter or with the assistance of a device, are inserted to count the voter verified paper ballot; (3) "Risk-limiting audit" means a protocol which checks a random sample of ballots chosen by statistical methods; (4) "Top race" means the presidential race, if the presidential race is on the ballot, or the governor's race, if the governor's race is on the ballot; (5) "Traditional audit" means a protocol which requires bipartisan teams of election officials to hand count a number of randomly chosen ballots; and (6) "Voter-verified paper ballot" means a permanent, individual paper ballot that is marked either manually by the voter or with the assistance of a device and verified by the voter as correctly reflecting the voter's intent, before the voter's vote is counted by the precinct-based optical scanner. (c) It is the intent of the general assembly that any county election commission utilizing a precinct-based optical scanner pursuant to this chapter shall comply in all respects with this chapter and federal law. Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 965, s 1, eff. 5/2/2022. Acts 2008 , ch. 1108, §3; 2010 , ch. 612, §§2, 3; 2011 , ch. 301, § 1.
(a) A county election commission may utilize precinct-based optical scanners.
(b) As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) "Performance audit" means a review of the procedures followed to conduct the election; (2) "Precinct-based optical scanner" means an optical ballot scanner that is located in the precinct and into which optical scan voter-verified paper ballots, marked either by hand by the voter or with the assistance of a device, are inserted to count the voter verified paper ballot; (3) "Risk-limiting audit" means a protocol which checks a random sample of ballots chosen by statistical methods; (4) "Top race" means the presidential race, if the presidential race is on the ballot, or the governor's race, if the governor's race is on the ballot; (5) "Traditional audit" means a protocol which requires bipartisan teams of election officials to hand count a number of randomly chosen ballots; and (6) "Voter-verified paper ballot" means a permanent, individual paper ballot that is marked either manually by the voter or with the assistance of a device and verified by the voter as correctly reflecting the voter's intent, before the voter's vote is counted by the precinct-based optical scanner.
(1) "Performance audit" means a review of the procedures followed to conduct the election;
(2) "Precinct-based optical scanner" means an optical ballot scanner that is located in the precinct and into which optical scan voter-verified paper ballots, marked either by hand by the voter or with the assistance of a device, are inserted to count the voter verified paper ballot;
(3) "Risk-limiting audit" means a protocol which checks a random sample of ballots chosen by statistical methods;
(4) "Top race" means the presidential race, if the presidential race is on the ballot, or the governor's race, if the governor's race is on the ballot;
(5) "Traditional audit" means a protocol which requires bipartisan teams of election officials to hand count a number of randomly chosen ballots; and
(6) "Voter-verified paper ballot" means a permanent, individual paper ballot that is marked either manually by the voter or with the assistance of a device and verified by the voter as correctly reflecting the voter's intent, before the voter's vote is counted by the precinct-based optical scanner.
(c) It is the intent of the general assembly that any county election commission utilizing a precinct-based optical scanner pursuant to this chapter shall comply in all respects with this chapter and federal law.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 965, s 1, eff. 5/2/2022.
Acts 2008 , ch. 1108, §3; 2010 , ch. 612, §§2, 3; 2011 , ch. 301, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-10-301 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 10 / Section 2-10-301
Short title - Jurisdiction
Status: in_force

(a) This part shall be known and may be cited as the "Campaign Contribution Limits Act of 1995." (b) The registry of election finance has jurisdiction to administer and enforce this part. Acts 1995, ch. 531, § 1.
(a) This part shall be known and may be cited as the "Campaign Contribution Limits Act of 1995."
(b) The registry of election finance has jurisdiction to administer and enforce this part.
Acts 1995, ch. 531, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-6-304 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 6 / Section 2-6-304
Procedure of counting board
Status: in_force

(a) (1) The absentee ballot counting board shall unlock and open each ballot box in the presence of a majority of the judges and break the seals upon verification that the numbers are the same. All of the sealed absentee ballot envelopes with attached affidavits and early voting ballots shall be removed from the respective ballot boxes. If there is no challenge to a ballot, the counting board shall tear the affidavit from the absentee ballot envelope leaving the envelope sealed. All affidavits so removed shall be gathered together and placed in envelopes provided for that purpose for each election being held. (2) A majority of the counting board officials shall certify the envelopes for each precinct in substantially the following form: Affidavits removed from sealed absentee ballots of ______________ absent voters who voted in the ______________ precinct in the ______________ election on the ____________________ day of ____________________, 20____________________, in ______________ County, State of Tennessee. We hereby certify that we have sealed this envelope before opening any of the sealed absentee ballot envelopes containing ballots. ____________________ ____________________ Name and Title Name and Title ____________________ ____________________ Name and Title Name and Title (b) If any absentee ballot is rejected for any reason by the administrator of elections or by the counting board, such absentee ballot envelope shall not be opened nor its affidavit removed, but it shall be marked "Rejected" across its face with the reasons for rejection written on it and signed by each official who rejected it. It shall then be placed in the container of rejected absentee ballots. A list shall be made of such rejected ballots, and the administrator shall notify the voters by mail of the rejection. (c) The counting board official shall then open the sealed absentee ballot envelopes, remove the absentee ballots, verify that the absentee ballots contain the approved watermark required under § 2-5-207(b) , and count and record the absentee ballot votes and the early voting ballot votes. Any absentee ballot without the approved watermark must be rejected, unless the ballot was authorized by state or federal law to be delivered electronically. The absentee ballot must be marked "Rejected" across its face with the reason for rejection written on it, signed by each official who rejected it, and placed in a container of rejected absentee ballots. In no event may the votes for any candidate be totaled until after all polls in the county are closed. (d) When a counting board receives ballots which the county election commission received on election day before the close of the polls, it shall write on the voter's duplicate permanent registration record that the voter has voted absentee in the election and record the voter's name on the absentee poll book. At the close of the polls the counting board shall make a certificate for such ballots substantially in the form of the certificate required by subsection (a). (e) If a county election commission authorizes the use of a mechanical or electronic voting machine for early voting, the commission shall remove the vote totals according to rules promulgated by the coordinator of elections. Votes must be removed from the machines in such a manner so that no vote totals can be associated with any candidate at the time of removal. In addition, the election commission shall be required to provide notice to all candidates and political parties of the place and time when the vote totals will be removed from those voting machines. In no event may the votes for any candidate be totaled until after all polls in the county are closed. (f) Not later than forty-five (45) days after an election, the chair of the county election commission shall certify the results of absentee balloting to the state election coordinator. Failure to so certify shall be grounds for removal from office under title 8, chapter 47. Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 374, s 5, eff. 1/1/2022. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1978, ch. 718, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-618; Acts 1988, ch. 993, § 8; 1993, ch. 518, §§ 14, 21; T.C.A., § 2-6-118; Acts 1994, ch. 859, § 2; 1995, ch. 88, §§ 7, 8, 10; 2009 , ch. 218, § 4.
(a) (1) The absentee ballot counting board shall unlock and open each ballot box in the presence of a majority of the judges and break the seals upon verification that the numbers are the same. All of the sealed absentee ballot envelopes with attached affidavits and early voting ballots shall be removed from the respective ballot boxes. If there is no challenge to a ballot, the counting board shall tear the affidavit from the absentee ballot envelope leaving the envelope sealed. All affidavits so removed shall be gathered together and placed in envelopes provided for that purpose for each election being held. (2) A majority of the counting board officials shall certify the envelopes for each precinct in substantially the following form: Affidavits removed from sealed absentee ballots of ______________ absent voters who voted in the ______________ precinct in the ______________ election on the ____________________ day of ____________________, 20____________________, in ______________ County, State of Tennessee. We hereby certify that we have sealed this envelope before opening any of the sealed absentee ballot envelopes containing ballots. ____________________ ____________________ Name and Title Name and Title ____________________ ____________________ Name and Title Name and Title
(1) The absentee ballot counting board shall unlock and open each ballot box in the presence of a majority of the judges and break the seals upon verification that the numbers are the same. All of the sealed absentee ballot envelopes with attached affidavits and early voting ballots shall be removed from the respective ballot boxes. If there is no challenge to a ballot, the counting board shall tear the affidavit from the absentee ballot envelope leaving the envelope sealed. All affidavits so removed shall be gathered together and placed in envelopes provided for that purpose for each election being held.
(2) A majority of the counting board officials shall certify the envelopes for each precinct in substantially the following form: Affidavits removed from sealed absentee ballots of ______________ absent voters who voted in the ______________ precinct in the ______________ election on the ____________________ day of ____________________, 20____________________, in ______________ County, State of Tennessee. We hereby certify that we have sealed this envelope before opening any of the sealed absentee ballot envelopes containing ballots. ____________________ ____________________ Name and Title Name and Title ____________________ ____________________ Name and Title Name and Title
Affidavits removed from sealed absentee ballots of ______________ absent voters who voted in the ______________ precinct in the ______________ election on the ____________________ day of ____________________, 20____________________, in ______________ County, State of Tennessee. We hereby certify that we have sealed this envelope before opening any of the sealed absentee ballot envelopes containing ballots.
____________________ ____________________ Name and Title Name and Title ____________________ ____________________ Name and Title Name and Title
____________________
Name and Title
____________________
Name and Title
(b) If any absentee ballot is rejected for any reason by the administrator of elections or by the counting board, such absentee ballot envelope shall not be opened nor its affidavit removed, but it shall be marked "Rejected" across its face with the reasons for rejection written on it and signed by each official who rejected it. It shall then be placed in the container of rejected absentee ballots. A list shall be made of such rejected ballots, and the administrator shall notify the voters by mail of the rejection.
(c) The counting board official shall then open the sealed absentee ballot envelopes, remove the absentee ballots, verify that the absentee ballots contain the approved watermark required under § 2-5-207(b) , and count and record the absentee ballot votes and the early voting ballot votes. Any absentee ballot without the approved watermark must be rejected, unless the ballot was authorized by state or federal law to be delivered electronically. The absentee ballot must be marked "Rejected" across its face with the reason for rejection written on it, signed by each official who rejected it, and placed in a container of rejected absentee ballots. In no event may the votes for any candidate be totaled until after all polls in the county are closed.
(d) When a counting board receives ballots which the county election commission received on election day before the close of the polls, it shall write on the voter's duplicate permanent registration record that the voter has voted absentee in the election and record the voter's name on the absentee poll book. At the close of the polls the counting board shall make a certificate for such ballots substantially in the form of the certificate required by subsection (a).
(e) If a county election commission authorizes the use of a mechanical or electronic voting machine for early voting, the commission shall remove the vote totals according to rules promulgated by the coordinator of elections. Votes must be removed from the machines in such a manner so that no vote totals can be associated with any candidate at the time of removal. In addition, the election commission shall be required to provide notice to all candidates and political parties of the place and time when the vote totals will be removed from those voting machines. In no event may the votes for any candidate be totaled until after all polls in the county are closed.
(f) Not later than forty-five (45) days after an election, the chair of the county election commission shall certify the results of absentee balloting to the state election coordinator. Failure to so certify shall be grounds for removal from office under title 8, chapter 47.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 374, s 5, eff. 1/1/2022.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1978, ch. 718, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-618; Acts 1988, ch. 993, § 8; 1993, ch. 518, §§ 14, 21; T.C.A., § 2-6-118; Acts 1994, ch. 859, § 2; 1995, ch. 88, §§ 7, 8, 10; 2009 , ch. 218, § 4.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-112 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 2 / Section 2-2-112
Online voter registration system
Status: in_force

(a) Beginning as soon as practicable but no later than September 1, 2017, an applicant may submit an online voter registration application using the procedures set forth in this section. (b) The coordinator of elections shall establish a website which permits an applicant to: (1) Submit a voter registration application, including first-time voter registration applications and updates to current voter registration records; (2) Submit information necessary to establish an applicant's eligibility to vote, pursuant to § 2-2-104 , which includes the information required for the uniform statewide voter registration application pursuant to § 2-2-116 ; and (3) Swear or affirm to the oath required pursuant to § 2-2-116 . (c) The online voter registration system shall use a unique identifier for each applicant to prevent unauthorized persons from altering a voter's registration information. Any unique identifier, including driver license and social security numbers, shall be confidential and not subject to the open records law, compiled in title 10, chapter 7. (d) (1) The online voter registration system shall compare identifying information submitted by the applicant, such as name, date of birth, Tennessee driver license number, or Tennessee identification number, with information maintained by the department of safety to confirm that the applicant has a matching record with the department of safety. (2) If the online voter registration system identifies a matching record for the applicant with the department of safety, then the applicant may complete the online voter registration form as prescribed by the coordinator of elections and electronically submit the form. (3) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the department of safety and the coordinator of elections are authorized to retrieve the data applicable to the applicant's matching record and transmit such data to the automated electoral system (AES) maintained by the coordinator of elections pursuant to § 2-2-301 , along with the digital signature of the applicant on file with the department of safety. The applicant's digital signature on file with the department of safety satisfies the signature requirement of § 2-2-116 for purposes of registering to vote or updating an existing voter registration record. (4) If the applicant's name and date of birth or other identifying information provided by the applicant cannot be verified by comparing the records of the department of safety, or if the applicant indicates that the applicant has not been issued a Tennessee driver license or Tennessee identification card, the online voter registration system may direct the applicant to complete, print, sign, and date the application and mail the application to the county election commission office in the applicant's county of residence to be processed. (5) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the administrator of elections shall process the application pursuant to § 2-2-120 . (e) The coordinator of elections may promulgate policies or rules to effectuate this section, including, but not limited to, entering into agreements with the commissioner of safety. Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 245, s 3, eff. 5/2/2017. Added by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 936, s 1, eff. 7/1/2016.
(a) Beginning as soon as practicable but no later than September 1, 2017, an applicant may submit an online voter registration application using the procedures set forth in this section.
(b) The coordinator of elections shall establish a website which permits an applicant to: (1) Submit a voter registration application, including first-time voter registration applications and updates to current voter registration records; (2) Submit information necessary to establish an applicant's eligibility to vote, pursuant to § 2-2-104 , which includes the information required for the uniform statewide voter registration application pursuant to § 2-2-116 ; and (3) Swear or affirm to the oath required pursuant to § 2-2-116 .
(1) Submit a voter registration application, including first-time voter registration applications and updates to current voter registration records;
(2) Submit information necessary to establish an applicant's eligibility to vote, pursuant to § 2-2-104 , which includes the information required for the uniform statewide voter registration application pursuant to § 2-2-116 ; and
(3) Swear or affirm to the oath required pursuant to § 2-2-116 .
(c) The online voter registration system shall use a unique identifier for each applicant to prevent unauthorized persons from altering a voter's registration information. Any unique identifier, including driver license and social security numbers, shall be confidential and not subject to the open records law, compiled in title 10, chapter 7.
(d) (1) The online voter registration system shall compare identifying information submitted by the applicant, such as name, date of birth, Tennessee driver license number, or Tennessee identification number, with information maintained by the department of safety to confirm that the applicant has a matching record with the department of safety. (2) If the online voter registration system identifies a matching record for the applicant with the department of safety, then the applicant may complete the online voter registration form as prescribed by the coordinator of elections and electronically submit the form. (3) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the department of safety and the coordinator of elections are authorized to retrieve the data applicable to the applicant's matching record and transmit such data to the automated electoral system (AES) maintained by the coordinator of elections pursuant to § 2-2-301 , along with the digital signature of the applicant on file with the department of safety. The applicant's digital signature on file with the department of safety satisfies the signature requirement of § 2-2-116 for purposes of registering to vote or updating an existing voter registration record. (4) If the applicant's name and date of birth or other identifying information provided by the applicant cannot be verified by comparing the records of the department of safety, or if the applicant indicates that the applicant has not been issued a Tennessee driver license or Tennessee identification card, the online voter registration system may direct the applicant to complete, print, sign, and date the application and mail the application to the county election commission office in the applicant's county of residence to be processed. (5) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the administrator of elections shall process the application pursuant to § 2-2-120 .
(1) The online voter registration system shall compare identifying information submitted by the applicant, such as name, date of birth, Tennessee driver license number, or Tennessee identification number, with information maintained by the department of safety to confirm that the applicant has a matching record with the department of safety.
(2) If the online voter registration system identifies a matching record for the applicant with the department of safety, then the applicant may complete the online voter registration form as prescribed by the coordinator of elections and electronically submit the form.
(3) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the department of safety and the coordinator of elections are authorized to retrieve the data applicable to the applicant's matching record and transmit such data to the automated electoral system (AES) maintained by the coordinator of elections pursuant to § 2-2-301 , along with the digital signature of the applicant on file with the department of safety. The applicant's digital signature on file with the department of safety satisfies the signature requirement of § 2-2-116 for purposes of registering to vote or updating an existing voter registration record.
(4) If the applicant's name and date of birth or other identifying information provided by the applicant cannot be verified by comparing the records of the department of safety, or if the applicant indicates that the applicant has not been issued a Tennessee driver license or Tennessee identification card, the online voter registration system may direct the applicant to complete, print, sign, and date the application and mail the application to the county election commission office in the applicant's county of residence to be processed.
(5) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the administrator of elections shall process the application pursuant to § 2-2-120 .
(e) The coordinator of elections may promulgate policies or rules to effectuate this section, including, but not limited to, entering into agreements with the commissioner of safety.
Amended by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 245, s 3, eff. 5/2/2017.
Added by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 936, s 1, eff. 7/1/2016.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-134 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 2 / Section 2-2-134
Notice of cancellation attached to registration records - Cancelled registrations - Rejected ballots
Status: in_force

(a) When an administrator of elections receives the notice provided by § 2-2-123 , the administrator shall immediately attach the notice to the permanent registration records of the voter. (b) When a voter requests cancellation of registration, or the voter's registration is purged, the administrator shall cancel the registration by writing on the face of the permanent registration record of the voter "Registration terminated this ______________ because ______________ (Date) ______________" The cancellation shall be signed by the administrator. (c) The permanent registration records of the voter shall be placed in an alphabetically arranged file of purged registrations which shall be a public record. The file of purged registrations shall be retained by the county election commission for two (2) years from the date of the purge, after which time it may be destroyed by the county election commission. (d) Upon purging a registration record, the administrator shall determine whether the voter has an outstanding or uncounted absentee ballot. If the voter has an outstanding ballot, it shall be marked "Rejected" on receipt. If the voter has an uncounted ballot already submitted, the administrator shall provide the commission with the voter's name and ballot number, and the voter's ballot shall be rejected and so marked on election day. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1979, ch. 306, § 7; T.C.A., § 2-234; Acts 1980, ch. 609, § 4.
(a) When an administrator of elections receives the notice provided by § 2-2-123 , the administrator shall immediately attach the notice to the permanent registration records of the voter.
(b) When a voter requests cancellation of registration, or the voter's registration is purged, the administrator shall cancel the registration by writing on the face of the permanent registration record of the voter "Registration terminated this ______________ because ______________ (Date) ______________" The cancellation shall be signed by the administrator.
"Registration terminated this ______________ because ______________
(Date)
______________"
The cancellation shall be signed by the administrator.
(c) The permanent registration records of the voter shall be placed in an alphabetically arranged file of purged registrations which shall be a public record. The file of purged registrations shall be retained by the county election commission for two (2) years from the date of the purge, after which time it may be destroyed by the county election commission.
(d) Upon purging a registration record, the administrator shall determine whether the voter has an outstanding or uncounted absentee ballot. If the voter has an outstanding ballot, it shall be marked "Rejected" on receipt. If the voter has an uncounted ballot already submitted, the administrator shall provide the commission with the voter's name and ballot number, and the voter's ballot shall be rejected and so marked on election day.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1979, ch. 306, § 7; T.C.A., § 2-234; Acts 1980, ch. 609, § 4.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-12-205 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 12 / Section 2-12-205
Removal of precinct registrars for violation of oath
Status: in_force

The commission may remove any precinct registrar for violation of such registrar's oath as a registrar. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1213.
The commission may remove any precinct registrar for violation of such registrar's oath as a registrar.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1213.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-10-130 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 10 / Section 2-10-130
Disclosure of fees, commissions or other compensation for consulting services paid to the governor, secretary of state, comptroller of the treasury, treasurer, governor's cabinet, cabinet level staff, or their spouses
Status: in_force

(a) If any person or other entity that contracts with the state of Tennessee, pays more than a two hundred dollar ($200) fee, commission or other form of compensation, to the governor, secretary of state, comptroller of the treasury, treasurer, any member of the governor's cabinet, any cabinet level staff, or such persons' spouses, for consulting services on contracts to which the state of Tennessee is not a party, and for which consulting services are to be rendered outside the state of Tennessee, then the person or entity shall disclose the following to the Tennessee ethics commission: (1) The name and address of the person or entity paying the fee, commission or other form of compensation; (2) The person to whom the fee, commission or other form of compensation was paid, including the amount paid; (3) The position of the person to whom the fee, commission or other form of compensation was paid; (4) The date the services were rendered; and (5) A general description of the services rendered. (b) As used in this section, "consulting services" means services performed outside the state of Tennessee that would be defined as influencing legislative or administrative action, in § 3-6-301 , if those services were performed in the state of Tennessee. "Consulting services" also includes services to advise or assist a person or entity in maintaining, applying for, soliciting or entering into a contract with a state other than the state of Tennessee. (c) The disclosure shall be on a form designed by the Tennessee ethics commission, shall be made under oath, and shall contain a statement that a false statement on the report is subject to the penalties of perjury. A disclosure form shall be filed within five (5) days of entering into a contract not involving the state of Tennessee with persons subject to subsection (a). The form shall be updated annually, no later than February 1, if necessary. (d) All disclosures made to the commission pursuant to this section are public records, and are open for inspection during regular business hours. (e) (1) It is a Class C misdemeanor for any person or entity to knowingly fail to file a disclosure form as required by this section. (2) It is a Class C misdemeanor for any person or entity to file a disclosure form required by this section more than thirty (30) days after the date on which the report is due. Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 34.
(a) If any person or other entity that contracts with the state of Tennessee, pays more than a two hundred dollar ($200) fee, commission or other form of compensation, to the governor, secretary of state, comptroller of the treasury, treasurer, any member of the governor's cabinet, any cabinet level staff, or such persons' spouses, for consulting services on contracts to which the state of Tennessee is not a party, and for which consulting services are to be rendered outside the state of Tennessee, then the person or entity shall disclose the following to the Tennessee ethics commission: (1) The name and address of the person or entity paying the fee, commission or other form of compensation; (2) The person to whom the fee, commission or other form of compensation was paid, including the amount paid; (3) The position of the person to whom the fee, commission or other form of compensation was paid; (4) The date the services were rendered; and (5) A general description of the services rendered.
(1) The name and address of the person or entity paying the fee, commission or other form of compensation;
(2) The person to whom the fee, commission or other form of compensation was paid, including the amount paid;
(3) The position of the person to whom the fee, commission or other form of compensation was paid;
(4) The date the services were rendered; and
(5) A general description of the services rendered.
(b) As used in this section, "consulting services" means services performed outside the state of Tennessee that would be defined as influencing legislative or administrative action, in § 3-6-301 , if those services were performed in the state of Tennessee. "Consulting services" also includes services to advise or assist a person or entity in maintaining, applying for, soliciting or entering into a contract with a state other than the state of Tennessee.
(c) The disclosure shall be on a form designed by the Tennessee ethics commission, shall be made under oath, and shall contain a statement that a false statement on the report is subject to the penalties of perjury. A disclosure form shall be filed within five (5) days of entering into a contract not involving the state of Tennessee with persons subject to subsection (a). The form shall be updated annually, no later than February 1, if necessary.
(d) All disclosures made to the commission pursuant to this section are public records, and are open for inspection during regular business hours.
(e) (1) It is a Class C misdemeanor for any person or entity to knowingly fail to file a disclosure form as required by this section. (2) It is a Class C misdemeanor for any person or entity to file a disclosure form required by this section more than thirty (30) days after the date on which the report is due.
(1) It is a Class C misdemeanor for any person or entity to knowingly fail to file a disclosure form as required by this section.
(2) It is a Class C misdemeanor for any person or entity to file a disclosure form required by this section more than thirty (30) days after the date on which the report is due.
Acts 2006 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 1, § 34.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-1-112 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 1 / Section 2-1-112
Restrictions on commission or board membership or service as campaign manager or treasurer or election official
Status: in_force

(a) (1) An elected official or an employee of a municipal, county, state, or federal governmental body or agency shall not serve as a member of a county election commission. (2) A member of a county election commission shall not serve as the campaign manager or treasurer of any candidate's political campaign in a local, state, or federal election during the commissioner's term of office. A violation of this subdivision (a)(2) subjects the member to immediate removal from office by a majority vote of the state election commission. This subdivision (a)(2) does not prohibit a member of the county election commission from providing uncompensated advice on a one-on-one basis to a candidate or party officer, nor does it prohibit providing a financial contribution to a candidate or party organization. (3) A candidate in an election shall not act in connection with that election as a member of any board or commission established under this title or as an election official. (4) This section does not disqualify an employee of a county or city school system who does not work directly under the supervision of an elected official from serving as a member of the county election commission. (b) The following persons shall not serve as election officials: (1) An employee of a county or city who works directly under the supervision of an elected official who is on the ballot; (2) The spouse, parent, father-in-law, mother-in-law, child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of a candidate or declared write-in candidate to be voted for at the election in that precinct or district. This subdivision (b)(2) disqualifies a person whose relationship to the candidate is the result of birth, marriage, or adoption. This subdivision (b)(2) does not disqualify a person from serving as an election official if the candidate to whom the person is related is an unopposed candidate. For purposes of this subdivision (b)(2), an "unopposed candidate" includes an individual whose nomination to an office at a primary election is unopposed by any other candidate within the same political party; or (3) A member of a reserve unit of the United States army, air force, marine corps or navy, or a member of the national guard who is on active duty. Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 880, s 1, eff. 4/14/2022. Amended by 2020 Tenn. Acts, ch. 655, s 3, eff. 4/2/2020. Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 146, Secs.s 1, s 2, s 3eff. 4/12/2013. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1978, ch. 538, § 1; 1979, ch. 304, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-112; Acts 1981, ch. 106, § 1; 1984, ch. 664, § 1; 2005, ch. 163, §5; 2008 , ch. 1051, § 1.
(a) (1) An elected official or an employee of a municipal, county, state, or federal governmental body or agency shall not serve as a member of a county election commission. (2) A member of a county election commission shall not serve as the campaign manager or treasurer of any candidate's political campaign in a local, state, or federal election during the commissioner's term of office. A violation of this subdivision (a)(2) subjects the member to immediate removal from office by a majority vote of the state election commission. This subdivision (a)(2) does not prohibit a member of the county election commission from providing uncompensated advice on a one-on-one basis to a candidate or party officer, nor does it prohibit providing a financial contribution to a candidate or party organization. (3) A candidate in an election shall not act in connection with that election as a member of any board or commission established under this title or as an election official. (4) This section does not disqualify an employee of a county or city school system who does not work directly under the supervision of an elected official from serving as a member of the county election commission.
(1) An elected official or an employee of a municipal, county, state, or federal governmental body or agency shall not serve as a member of a county election commission.
(2) A member of a county election commission shall not serve as the campaign manager or treasurer of any candidate's political campaign in a local, state, or federal election during the commissioner's term of office. A violation of this subdivision (a)(2) subjects the member to immediate removal from office by a majority vote of the state election commission. This subdivision (a)(2) does not prohibit a member of the county election commission from providing uncompensated advice on a one-on-one basis to a candidate or party officer, nor does it prohibit providing a financial contribution to a candidate or party organization.
(3) A candidate in an election shall not act in connection with that election as a member of any board or commission established under this title or as an election official.
(4) This section does not disqualify an employee of a county or city school system who does not work directly under the supervision of an elected official from serving as a member of the county election commission.
(b) The following persons shall not serve as election officials: (1) An employee of a county or city who works directly under the supervision of an elected official who is on the ballot; (2) The spouse, parent, father-in-law, mother-in-law, child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of a candidate or declared write-in candidate to be voted for at the election in that precinct or district. This subdivision (b)(2) disqualifies a person whose relationship to the candidate is the result of birth, marriage, or adoption. This subdivision (b)(2) does not disqualify a person from serving as an election official if the candidate to whom the person is related is an unopposed candidate. For purposes of this subdivision (b)(2), an "unopposed candidate" includes an individual whose nomination to an office at a primary election is unopposed by any other candidate within the same political party; or (3) A member of a reserve unit of the United States army, air force, marine corps or navy, or a member of the national guard who is on active duty.
(1) An employee of a county or city who works directly under the supervision of an elected official who is on the ballot;
(2) The spouse, parent, father-in-law, mother-in-law, child, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, brother-in-law, sister-in-law, uncle, aunt, nephew, or niece of a candidate or declared write-in candidate to be voted for at the election in that precinct or district. This subdivision (b)(2) disqualifies a person whose relationship to the candidate is the result of birth, marriage, or adoption. This subdivision (b)(2) does not disqualify a person from serving as an election official if the candidate to whom the person is related is an unopposed candidate. For purposes of this subdivision (b)(2), an "unopposed candidate" includes an individual whose nomination to an office at a primary election is unopposed by any other candidate within the same political party; or
(3) A member of a reserve unit of the United States army, air force, marine corps or navy, or a member of the national guard who is on active duty.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 880, s 1, eff. 4/14/2022.
Amended by 2020 Tenn. Acts, ch. 655, s 3, eff. 4/2/2020.
Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 146, Secs.s 1, s 2, s 3eff. 4/12/2013.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1978, ch. 538, § 1; 1979, ch. 304, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-112; Acts 1981, ch. 106, § 1; 1984, ch. 664, § 1; 2005, ch. 163, §5; 2008 , ch. 1051, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-13-308 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 13 / Section 2-13-308
Indication of commitment
Status: in_force

At the time the declaration of candidacy is filed as provided by § 2-13-307 , a delegate-candidate shall indicate in writing to the secretary of state so that the ballot may so indicate, that the delegate-candidate is either: (1) An uncommitted delegate; or (2) Supporting a particular presidential candidate, and if so, which presidential candidate. Acts 1976, ch. 421, § 8; T.C.A., § 2-1348.
At the time the declaration of candidacy is filed as provided by § 2-13-307 , a delegate-candidate shall indicate in writing to the secretary of state so that the ballot may so indicate, that the delegate-candidate is either:
(1) An uncommitted delegate; or
(2) Supporting a particular presidential candidate, and if so, which presidential candidate.
Acts 1976, ch. 421, § 8; T.C.A., § 2-1348.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-127 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 19 / Section 2-19-127
Voter accepting bribe
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, personally or through any other person, to: (1) Receive, agree to receive, or contract for, before or during any primary or final election or convention provided by law, any money, gift, loan, or other valuable consideration, or any office, place or employment for such person or for any other person, for voting or agreeing to vote, or for going to or remaining or agreeing to remain away from the polls, or refraining or agreeing to refrain from voting for any particular person or measure, at or in connection with any such convention, primary or election; or (2) Receive any money or other valuable thing during or after any convention, primary or final election provided by law, on account of such person or any other person, for voting or refraining from voting for any person or measure, or for going to the polls or remaining away from the polls at any such convention, primary or final election, or on account of having induced any person to vote or refrain from voting for any particular person or measure at any such convention, primary or final election. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1927.
It is unlawful for any person, directly or indirectly, personally or through any other person, to:
(1) Receive, agree to receive, or contract for, before or during any primary or final election or convention provided by law, any money, gift, loan, or other valuable consideration, or any office, place or employment for such person or for any other person, for voting or agreeing to vote, or for going to or remaining or agreeing to remain away from the polls, or refraining or agreeing to refrain from voting for any particular person or measure, at or in connection with any such convention, primary or election; or
(2) Receive any money or other valuable thing during or after any convention, primary or final election provided by law, on account of such person or any other person, for voting or refraining from voting for any person or measure, or for going to the polls or remaining away from the polls at any such convention, primary or final election, or on account of having induced any person to vote or refrain from voting for any particular person or measure at any such convention, primary or final election.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1927.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-130 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 19 / Section 2-19-130
Candidate betting with voter
Status: in_force

It is a Class C misdemeanor for any candidate for public office, before or during any primary or final election provided by law, to make any bet or wager with a voter, or to take a share or interest in, or in any manner become a party to any such bet or wager, or provide or agree to provide any money to be used by another in making such bet or wager, upon any event or contingency whatever, arising out of such election. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1930; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.
It is a Class C misdemeanor for any candidate for public office, before or during any primary or final election provided by law, to make any bet or wager with a voter, or to take a share or interest in, or in any manner become a party to any such bet or wager, or provide or agree to provide any money to be used by another in making such bet or wager, upon any event or contingency whatever, arising out of such election.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1930; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-5-151 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 5 / Section 2-5-151
Petitions for recall, referendum or initiative
Status: in_force

(a) Any governmental entity having a charter provision for a petition for recall, referendum or initiative or any person acting pursuant to such charter provision shall meet the requirements of this section. (b) Before a petition may be circulated, at least one (1) registered voter of the city or county shall file with the county election commission: (1) The proper form of the petition; and (2) The text of the question posed in the petition. (c) The county election commission shall certify whether the petition is in proper form within thirty (30) days after the filing of the documentation required by subsection (b). The individual or individuals filing the petition shall have fifteen (15) days to cure any defects in the documentation required by subsection (b) by filing revised documentation in proper form with the county election commission. The county election commission shall determine within fifteen (15) days whether or not the revised documentation shall be certified for final approval. (d) Petitions shall be signed by at least fifteen percent (15%) of those registered to vote in the municipality or county. The disqualification of one (1) or more signatures shall not render a petition invalid, but shall disqualify such signatures from being counted towards the statutory minimum number of signatures required in this section. (e) Upon filing, each completed petition shall contain the following: (1) The full text of the question attached to each petition; (2) The genuine signature and address of registered voters only, pursuant to the requirements of § 2-1-107 ; (3) The printed name of each signatory; and (4) The date of signature. (f) (1) Completed petitions shall be filed with the county election commission within seventy-five (75) days after final certification by the county election commission as required by subsection (c). (2) In addition, a petition for recall, referendum or initiative shall be filed at least ninety (90) days before a general municipal or county election may be held on the question contained in such petition. The question contained in a petition filed less than ninety (90) days before an upcoming general municipal or county election will be placed on the ballot of the following general municipal or county election. (g) Any person may request either in person or in writing that the county election commission remove such person's name from a petition. Such request must be made within eight (8) days of filing of the completed petition and before final certification by the county election commission of the petition. (h) The county election commission shall certify whether or not the completed petition meets all applicable requirements within thirty (30) days of filing of the completed petition. (i) Upon certification by the county election commission pursuant to subsection (h), the election commission shall publish the question contained in the petition pursuant to § 2-12-111 . (j) This section shall control notwithstanding any statutory provision or charter provision of a municipality or county to the contrary; provided, that any contrary charter provision of a municipality or county which is enacted after July 1, 1997, shall control with respect only to the requirements set forth in subsection (d) relating to the statutory minimum number of signatures required in a petition, and to the provisions of subdivision (f)(1) relating to the seventy-five-day deadline for filing of a petition after final certification by the county election commission. (k) This section shall control any petition with signatures filed with the county election commission on or after June 25, 1997. (l) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, this section shall not apply to any county having a metropolitan form of government and a population greater than one hundred thousand (100,000), according to the 2000 federal census or any subsequent federal census. Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 231,s 5, eff. 7/1/2013. Acts 1997, ch. 558, § 33; 2005, ch. 428, § 1; 2012, ch. 1101, § 4.
(a) Any governmental entity having a charter provision for a petition for recall, referendum or initiative or any person acting pursuant to such charter provision shall meet the requirements of this section.
(b) Before a petition may be circulated, at least one (1) registered voter of the city or county shall file with the county election commission: (1) The proper form of the petition; and (2) The text of the question posed in the petition.
(1) The proper form of the petition; and
(2) The text of the question posed in the petition.
(c) The county election commission shall certify whether the petition is in proper form within thirty (30) days after the filing of the documentation required by subsection (b). The individual or individuals filing the petition shall have fifteen (15) days to cure any defects in the documentation required by subsection (b) by filing revised documentation in proper form with the county election commission. The county election commission shall determine within fifteen (15) days whether or not the revised documentation shall be certified for final approval.
(d) Petitions shall be signed by at least fifteen percent (15%) of those registered to vote in the municipality or county. The disqualification of one (1) or more signatures shall not render a petition invalid, but shall disqualify such signatures from being counted towards the statutory minimum number of signatures required in this section.
(e) Upon filing, each completed petition shall contain the following: (1) The full text of the question attached to each petition; (2) The genuine signature and address of registered voters only, pursuant to the requirements of § 2-1-107 ; (3) The printed name of each signatory; and (4) The date of signature.
(1) The full text of the question attached to each petition;
(2) The genuine signature and address of registered voters only, pursuant to the requirements of § 2-1-107 ;
(3) The printed name of each signatory; and
(4) The date of signature.
(f) (1) Completed petitions shall be filed with the county election commission within seventy-five (75) days after final certification by the county election commission as required by subsection (c). (2) In addition, a petition for recall, referendum or initiative shall be filed at least ninety (90) days before a general municipal or county election may be held on the question contained in such petition. The question contained in a petition filed less than ninety (90) days before an upcoming general municipal or county election will be placed on the ballot of the following general municipal or county election.
(1) Completed petitions shall be filed with the county election commission within seventy-five (75) days after final certification by the county election commission as required by subsection (c).
(2) In addition, a petition for recall, referendum or initiative shall be filed at least ninety (90) days before a general municipal or county election may be held on the question contained in such petition. The question contained in a petition filed less than ninety (90) days before an upcoming general municipal or county election will be placed on the ballot of the following general municipal or county election.
(g) Any person may request either in person or in writing that the county election commission remove such person's name from a petition. Such request must be made within eight (8) days of filing of the completed petition and before final certification by the county election commission of the petition.
(h) The county election commission shall certify whether or not the completed petition meets all applicable requirements within thirty (30) days of filing of the completed petition.
(i) Upon certification by the county election commission pursuant to subsection (h), the election commission shall publish the question contained in the petition pursuant to § 2-12-111 .
(j) This section shall control notwithstanding any statutory provision or charter provision of a municipality or county to the contrary; provided, that any contrary charter provision of a municipality or county which is enacted after July 1, 1997, shall control with respect only to the requirements set forth in subsection (d) relating to the statutory minimum number of signatures required in a petition, and to the provisions of subdivision (f)(1) relating to the seventy-five-day deadline for filing of a petition after final certification by the county election commission.
(k) This section shall control any petition with signatures filed with the county election commission on or after June 25, 1997.
(l) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, this section shall not apply to any county having a metropolitan form of government and a population greater than one hundred thousand (100,000), according to the 2000 federal census or any subsequent federal census.
Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 231,s 5, eff. 7/1/2013.
Acts 1997, ch. 558, § 33; 2005, ch. 428, § 1; 2012, ch. 1101, § 4.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-3-102 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 3 / Section 2-3-102
Precincts - Establishment, consolidation, or change of boundaries
Status: in_force

(a) No voting precinct shall be established, created, consolidated, divided, or the boundaries otherwise altered unless ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, by reason of an annexation or other change in the boundary of a county or municipality, or in accordance with subsection (b). Any precinct boundary that is altered in accordance with this subsection (a) shall coincide with a census block as designated by the United States census bureau in the latest federal decennial census. (b) The county election commission may establish, consolidate, or change the boundaries of precincts whenever the public convenience or law requires it; provided, that if any precinct boundary is altered pursuant to this subsection (b) then all of the following conditions must be met: (1) Any precinct boundary that is altered shall coincide with a census block as designated by the United States census bureau in the latest federal decennial census; and (2) After December 31, 2018, all precinct boundaries within the jurisdiction of the county election commission that do not coincide with a census block as designated by the United States census bureau in the latest federal decennial census shall be altered so that the precinct boundaries do coincide with a census block as designated by the United States census bureau in the latest federal decennial census. (c) Any county election commission that alters the boundaries of any voting precinct in accordance with this section shall send a map, or geographic information systems file, to the comptroller of the treasury which clearly delineates the new boundaries of the voting precinct. (d) (1) After each decennial reapportionment, the state coordinator of elections shall submit a list of registered voters that has been submitted by each county to the comptroller of the treasury. (2) The comptroller of the treasury shall compare the list of registered voters received pursuant to subdivision (d)(1) to the comptroller's geographic information system data to ensure that registered voters have been assigned to the correct congressional, state house, state senate, and county governing body districts. (3) After the comptroller of the treasury completes the comparison required by subdivision (d)(2), the comptroller shall provide the results of the comparison, including a list of potential misassignments, to the county administrator of elections of each county and the state coordinator of elections. (4) Each county administrator of elections shall review the results of the comparison and make the final determination regarding the correct assignment of the registered voter. (5) Within seven (7) days of making its final determination regarding the correct assignment of any potentially misassigned registered voter, each county administrator of elections shall notify the comptroller of the treasury and the state coordinator of elections of their determinations, including a justification for any instance in which the final determination of the county administrator deviates from the comptroller's assignment of the registered voter. Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 317, s 1, eff. 4/28/2023. Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 194, s 2, eff. 4/22/2021. Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 581, s 3, eff. 3/16/2018. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-302; Acts 1984, ch. 951, § 1; 1991, ch. 373, § 1; 1993, ch. 362, § 1; 1999, ch. 421, §§ 1 - 5; 2011 , ch. 46, §§ 1-4.
(a) No voting precinct shall be established, created, consolidated, divided, or the boundaries otherwise altered unless ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction, by reason of an annexation or other change in the boundary of a county or municipality, or in accordance with subsection (b). Any precinct boundary that is altered in accordance with this subsection (a) shall coincide with a census block as designated by the United States census bureau in the latest federal decennial census.
(b) The county election commission may establish, consolidate, or change the boundaries of precincts whenever the public convenience or law requires it; provided, that if any precinct boundary is altered pursuant to this subsection (b) then all of the following conditions must be met: (1) Any precinct boundary that is altered shall coincide with a census block as designated by the United States census bureau in the latest federal decennial census; and (2) After December 31, 2018, all precinct boundaries within the jurisdiction of the county election commission that do not coincide with a census block as designated by the United States census bureau in the latest federal decennial census shall be altered so that the precinct boundaries do coincide with a census block as designated by the United States census bureau in the latest federal decennial census.
(1) Any precinct boundary that is altered shall coincide with a census block as designated by the United States census bureau in the latest federal decennial census; and
(2) After December 31, 2018, all precinct boundaries within the jurisdiction of the county election commission that do not coincide with a census block as designated by the United States census bureau in the latest federal decennial census shall be altered so that the precinct boundaries do coincide with a census block as designated by the United States census bureau in the latest federal decennial census.
(c) Any county election commission that alters the boundaries of any voting precinct in accordance with this section shall send a map, or geographic information systems file, to the comptroller of the treasury which clearly delineates the new boundaries of the voting precinct.
(d) (1) After each decennial reapportionment, the state coordinator of elections shall submit a list of registered voters that has been submitted by each county to the comptroller of the treasury. (2) The comptroller of the treasury shall compare the list of registered voters received pursuant to subdivision (d)(1) to the comptroller's geographic information system data to ensure that registered voters have been assigned to the correct congressional, state house, state senate, and county governing body districts. (3) After the comptroller of the treasury completes the comparison required by subdivision (d)(2), the comptroller shall provide the results of the comparison, including a list of potential misassignments, to the county administrator of elections of each county and the state coordinator of elections. (4) Each county administrator of elections shall review the results of the comparison and make the final determination regarding the correct assignment of the registered voter. (5) Within seven (7) days of making its final determination regarding the correct assignment of any potentially misassigned registered voter, each county administrator of elections shall notify the comptroller of the treasury and the state coordinator of elections of their determinations, including a justification for any instance in which the final determination of the county administrator deviates from the comptroller's assignment of the registered voter.
(1) After each decennial reapportionment, the state coordinator of elections shall submit a list of registered voters that has been submitted by each county to the comptroller of the treasury.
(2) The comptroller of the treasury shall compare the list of registered voters received pursuant to subdivision (d)(1) to the comptroller's geographic information system data to ensure that registered voters have been assigned to the correct congressional, state house, state senate, and county governing body districts.
(3) After the comptroller of the treasury completes the comparison required by subdivision (d)(2), the comptroller shall provide the results of the comparison, including a list of potential misassignments, to the county administrator of elections of each county and the state coordinator of elections.
(4) Each county administrator of elections shall review the results of the comparison and make the final determination regarding the correct assignment of the registered voter.
(5) Within seven (7) days of making its final determination regarding the correct assignment of any potentially misassigned registered voter, each county administrator of elections shall notify the comptroller of the treasury and the state coordinator of elections of their determinations, including a justification for any instance in which the final determination of the county administrator deviates from the comptroller's assignment of the registered voter.
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 317, s 1, eff. 4/28/2023.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 194, s 2, eff. 4/22/2021.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 581, s 3, eff. 3/16/2018.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-302; Acts 1984, ch. 951, § 1; 1991, ch. 373, § 1; 1993, ch. 362, § 1; 1999, ch. 421, §§ 1 - 5; 2011 , ch. 46, §§ 1-4.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-120 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 2 / Section 2-2-120
Determination of registrant's right to register - Declaration as a registered voter
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator of elections shall determine, from the registrant's answers to the questions on the permanent registration record and other questions, if necessary, whether the registrant is entitled to register. If the administrator determines that the registrant is entitled to register, the administrator shall declare the registrant a registered voter. (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no voter shall be purged due to a deficient registration form once the administrator has declared the person a registered voter under subsection (a) unless the administrator later determines the voter knowingly made or consented to false information being placed on the registration form or failed to provide a valid signature. (c) (1) At least quarterly, during a county election commission meeting, a county election commission member of the majority and the minority party shall inspect random voter registration forms accepted by the county election commission since the previous inspection. If a deficiency is found, the deficiency shall be recorded and a written report shall be prepared including the name of the administrator at the time the voter registration form was filed, the nature of the deficiency, and whether the individual has voted since the deficient form was filed and accepted. Such report shall be filed with the state coordinator of elections. If no deficiencies are identified, the coordinator of elections shall be notified in writing of the finding. The commission members who inspect the voter registration forms shall sign and date the report. (2) If a significant number of deficient voter registration forms are discovered, then the administrator of elections may be subject to discipline by the state election commission or be terminated by the county election commission. (3) The coordinator of elections is authorized to develop a policy to implement this subsection (c). (4) The coordinator of elections shall audit at least ten (10) county election commissions annually to ensure that all required information fields on the permanent registration forms are being completed with minimal errors and that voters with deficient registrations are being given the opportunity to correct incorrect or omitted information. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-220; Acts 2010, ch. 906, § 1; 2011, ch. 181, §§ 1, 2.
(a) The administrator of elections shall determine, from the registrant's answers to the questions on the permanent registration record and other questions, if necessary, whether the registrant is entitled to register. If the administrator determines that the registrant is entitled to register, the administrator shall declare the registrant a registered voter.
(b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no voter shall be purged due to a deficient registration form once the administrator has declared the person a registered voter under subsection (a) unless the administrator later determines the voter knowingly made or consented to false information being placed on the registration form or failed to provide a valid signature.
(c) (1) At least quarterly, during a county election commission meeting, a county election commission member of the majority and the minority party shall inspect random voter registration forms accepted by the county election commission since the previous inspection. If a deficiency is found, the deficiency shall be recorded and a written report shall be prepared including the name of the administrator at the time the voter registration form was filed, the nature of the deficiency, and whether the individual has voted since the deficient form was filed and accepted. Such report shall be filed with the state coordinator of elections. If no deficiencies are identified, the coordinator of elections shall be notified in writing of the finding. The commission members who inspect the voter registration forms shall sign and date the report. (2) If a significant number of deficient voter registration forms are discovered, then the administrator of elections may be subject to discipline by the state election commission or be terminated by the county election commission. (3) The coordinator of elections is authorized to develop a policy to implement this subsection (c). (4) The coordinator of elections shall audit at least ten (10) county election commissions annually to ensure that all required information fields on the permanent registration forms are being completed with minimal errors and that voters with deficient registrations are being given the opportunity to correct incorrect or omitted information.
(1) At least quarterly, during a county election commission meeting, a county election commission member of the majority and the minority party shall inspect random voter registration forms accepted by the county election commission since the previous inspection. If a deficiency is found, the deficiency shall be recorded and a written report shall be prepared including the name of the administrator at the time the voter registration form was filed, the nature of the deficiency, and whether the individual has voted since the deficient form was filed and accepted. Such report shall be filed with the state coordinator of elections. If no deficiencies are identified, the coordinator of elections shall be notified in writing of the finding. The commission members who inspect the voter registration forms shall sign and date the report.
(2) If a significant number of deficient voter registration forms are discovered, then the administrator of elections may be subject to discipline by the state election commission or be terminated by the county election commission.
(3) The coordinator of elections is authorized to develop a policy to implement this subsection (c).
(4) The coordinator of elections shall audit at least ten (10) county election commissions annually to ensure that all required information fields on the permanent registration forms are being completed with minimal errors and that voters with deficient registrations are being given the opportunity to correct incorrect or omitted information.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-220; Acts 2010, ch. 906, § 1; 2011, ch. 181, §§ 1, 2.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-205 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 19 / Section 2-19-205
Deprivation, attempts to deprive, or threats to deprive persons of benefits
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for any public officer or employee, directly or indirectly, to deprive, attempt to deprive, or threaten to deprive any person of employment, position, work, compensation, contracts, loans, grants, appropriations or benefits provided principally from public funds for any political activity, support or opposition to any candidate, party or measure in any election. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1940.
It is unlawful for any public officer or employee, directly or indirectly, to deprive, attempt to deprive, or threaten to deprive any person of employment, position, work, compensation, contracts, loans, grants, appropriations or benefits provided principally from public funds for any political activity, support or opposition to any candidate, party or measure in any election.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1940.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-20-105 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 20 / Section 2-20-105
Duties and powers of coordinator of elections
Status: in_force

(a) At the request of a county election commission, the state coordinator of elections shall provide to the commission necessary assistance and guidance in the selection of a precinct-based optical scanner pursuant to the requirements of this chapter. To the extent federal funding through the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), compiled generally in 42 U.S.C. §§ 15301 et seq., remains available for the cost of purchasing or leasing any new precinct-based optical scanners, the coordinator shall provide financial assistance for purchasing or leasing such machines. (b) (1) The coordinator of elections shall provide a list of authorized printers for any county election commission to utilize for the printing of ballots required pursuant to this chapter. (2) The coordinator of elections is authorized to explore the feasibility of utilizing ballot-on-demand technology. Acts 2008 , ch. 1108, §3; 2011 , ch. 301, § 4.
(a) At the request of a county election commission, the state coordinator of elections shall provide to the commission necessary assistance and guidance in the selection of a precinct-based optical scanner pursuant to the requirements of this chapter. To the extent federal funding through the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), compiled generally in 42 U.S.C. §§ 15301 et seq., remains available for the cost of purchasing or leasing any new precinct-based optical scanners, the coordinator shall provide financial assistance for purchasing or leasing such machines.
(b) (1) The coordinator of elections shall provide a list of authorized printers for any county election commission to utilize for the printing of ballots required pursuant to this chapter. (2) The coordinator of elections is authorized to explore the feasibility of utilizing ballot-on-demand technology.
(1) The coordinator of elections shall provide a list of authorized printers for any county election commission to utilize for the printing of ballots required pursuant to this chapter.
(2) The coordinator of elections is authorized to explore the feasibility of utilizing ballot-on-demand technology.
Acts 2008 , ch. 1108, §3; 2011 , ch. 301, § 4.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-18-102 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 18 / Section 2-18-102
Quorum - Vote - Adoption of rules of order - Power to compel attendance
Status: in_force

(a) A majority of the members of each house shall constitute a quorum. The speaker of the senate shall preside. (b) Every member shall have one (1) vote, and the majority of the votes shall prevail on all questions to be determined by the joint convention. (c) The joint session may be adjourned from time to time and rules of order made by it may be adopted and altered. (d) A minority of the members of the joint convention shall have the power to compel the attendance of absentees by arrest on warrant issued and signed by the speaker of the senate, executed by the sergeant-at-arms of the senate or by any person authorized by the joint convention. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1802.
(a) A majority of the members of each house shall constitute a quorum. The speaker of the senate shall preside.
(b) Every member shall have one (1) vote, and the majority of the votes shall prevail on all questions to be determined by the joint convention.
(c) The joint session may be adjourned from time to time and rules of order made by it may be adopted and altered.
(d) A minority of the members of the joint convention shall have the power to compel the attendance of absentees by arrest on warrant issued and signed by the speaker of the senate, executed by the sergeant-at-arms of the senate or by any person authorized by the joint convention.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1802.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-7-116 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 7 / Section 2-7-116
Assistance to disabled, illiterate or blind voters - Certified record - Assistance by person convicted of voter fraud prohibited
Status: in_force

(a) (1) A voter who claims, by reason of illiteracy or physical disability other than blindness, to be unable to mark the ballot to vote as the voter wishes and who, in the judgment of the officer of elections, is so disabled or illiterate, may: (A) Where voting machines are used, have the ballot marked on a voting machine or on a paper ballot subject to § 2-7-117 by any person of the voter's selection, or by one of the judges of the voter's choice in the presence of either a judge of a different political party or, if such judge is not available, an election official of a different political party; or (B) Where voting machines are not used, have the ballot marked by any person of the voter's selection or by one of the judges of the voter's choice in the presence of either a judge of a different political party or, if such judge is not available, an election official of a different political party. (2) The officer of elections shall keep a record of each such declaration, including the name of the voter and of the person marking the ballot and, if marked by a judge, the name of the judge or other official in whose presence the ballot was marked. The record shall be certified and kept with the poll books on forms to be provided by the coordinator of elections. (b) (1) A voter who claims, by reason of blindness, to be unable to mark the ballot to vote as the voter wishes and who, in the judgment of the officer of elections, is blind, may: (A) Where voting machines are used, have the ballot marked on a voting machine or on a paper ballot subject to § 2-7-117 by any person of the voter's selection or by one of the judges of the voter's choice in the presence of either a judge of a different political party or, if such judge is not available, an election official of a different political party; or (B) Where voting machines are not used, have the ballot marked by any person of the voter's selection or by one of the judges of the voter's choice in the presence of either a judge of a different political party or, if such judge is not available, an election official of a different political party. (2) The officer of elections shall keep a record of each such declaration, including the name of the voter and of the person marking the ballot and, if marked by a judge, the name of the judge or other official in whose presence the ballot was marked. The record shall be certified and kept with the poll books on forms to be provided by the coordinator of elections. (c) (1) A voter, who is physically disabled or who is visibly pregnant or frail, may request the officer of elections at the polling place for permission to be moved to the front of any line. In accordance with policies and procedures promulgated by the state coordinator of elections and at the discretion of the officer of elections, the requesting voter may be moved to the front of any line at the polling place. (2) A temporary sign, restating the language of subdivision (c)(1), shall be prominently and strategically posted at the polling place whenever voting is underway at the polling place. (d) Notwithstanding this section or any other law to the contrary, a person convicted of voter fraud in any state shall not assist a person in casting a vote. Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 271, s 4, eff. 4/30/2019. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1975, ch. 2, § 1; T.C.A., §2-716; Acts 1997 , ch. 122, §1; 1997 , ch. 558, §8; 1997 , ch. 558, §§8, 9; 1998, ch. 719, §§ 1, 2; 2005, ch. 301, § 1.
(a) (1) A voter who claims, by reason of illiteracy or physical disability other than blindness, to be unable to mark the ballot to vote as the voter wishes and who, in the judgment of the officer of elections, is so disabled or illiterate, may: (A) Where voting machines are used, have the ballot marked on a voting machine or on a paper ballot subject to § 2-7-117 by any person of the voter's selection, or by one of the judges of the voter's choice in the presence of either a judge of a different political party or, if such judge is not available, an election official of a different political party; or (B) Where voting machines are not used, have the ballot marked by any person of the voter's selection or by one of the judges of the voter's choice in the presence of either a judge of a different political party or, if such judge is not available, an election official of a different political party. (2) The officer of elections shall keep a record of each such declaration, including the name of the voter and of the person marking the ballot and, if marked by a judge, the name of the judge or other official in whose presence the ballot was marked. The record shall be certified and kept with the poll books on forms to be provided by the coordinator of elections.
(1) A voter who claims, by reason of illiteracy or physical disability other than blindness, to be unable to mark the ballot to vote as the voter wishes and who, in the judgment of the officer of elections, is so disabled or illiterate, may: (A) Where voting machines are used, have the ballot marked on a voting machine or on a paper ballot subject to § 2-7-117 by any person of the voter's selection, or by one of the judges of the voter's choice in the presence of either a judge of a different political party or, if such judge is not available, an election official of a different political party; or (B) Where voting machines are not used, have the ballot marked by any person of the voter's selection or by one of the judges of the voter's choice in the presence of either a judge of a different political party or, if such judge is not available, an election official of a different political party.
(A) Where voting machines are used, have the ballot marked on a voting machine or on a paper ballot subject to § 2-7-117 by any person of the voter's selection, or by one of the judges of the voter's choice in the presence of either a judge of a different political party or, if such judge is not available, an election official of a different political party; or
(B) Where voting machines are not used, have the ballot marked by any person of the voter's selection or by one of the judges of the voter's choice in the presence of either a judge of a different political party or, if such judge is not available, an election official of a different political party.
(2) The officer of elections shall keep a record of each such declaration, including the name of the voter and of the person marking the ballot and, if marked by a judge, the name of the judge or other official in whose presence the ballot was marked. The record shall be certified and kept with the poll books on forms to be provided by the coordinator of elections.
(b) (1) A voter who claims, by reason of blindness, to be unable to mark the ballot to vote as the voter wishes and who, in the judgment of the officer of elections, is blind, may: (A) Where voting machines are used, have the ballot marked on a voting machine or on a paper ballot subject to § 2-7-117 by any person of the voter's selection or by one of the judges of the voter's choice in the presence of either a judge of a different political party or, if such judge is not available, an election official of a different political party; or (B) Where voting machines are not used, have the ballot marked by any person of the voter's selection or by one of the judges of the voter's choice in the presence of either a judge of a different political party or, if such judge is not available, an election official of a different political party. (2) The officer of elections shall keep a record of each such declaration, including the name of the voter and of the person marking the ballot and, if marked by a judge, the name of the judge or other official in whose presence the ballot was marked. The record shall be certified and kept with the poll books on forms to be provided by the coordinator of elections.
(1) A voter who claims, by reason of blindness, to be unable to mark the ballot to vote as the voter wishes and who, in the judgment of the officer of elections, is blind, may: (A) Where voting machines are used, have the ballot marked on a voting machine or on a paper ballot subject to § 2-7-117 by any person of the voter's selection or by one of the judges of the voter's choice in the presence of either a judge of a different political party or, if such judge is not available, an election official of a different political party; or (B) Where voting machines are not used, have the ballot marked by any person of the voter's selection or by one of the judges of the voter's choice in the presence of either a judge of a different political party or, if such judge is not available, an election official of a different political party.
(A) Where voting machines are used, have the ballot marked on a voting machine or on a paper ballot subject to § 2-7-117 by any person of the voter's selection or by one of the judges of the voter's choice in the presence of either a judge of a different political party or, if such judge is not available, an election official of a different political party; or
(B) Where voting machines are not used, have the ballot marked by any person of the voter's selection or by one of the judges of the voter's choice in the presence of either a judge of a different political party or, if such judge is not available, an election official of a different political party.
(2) The officer of elections shall keep a record of each such declaration, including the name of the voter and of the person marking the ballot and, if marked by a judge, the name of the judge or other official in whose presence the ballot was marked. The record shall be certified and kept with the poll books on forms to be provided by the coordinator of elections.
(c) (1) A voter, who is physically disabled or who is visibly pregnant or frail, may request the officer of elections at the polling place for permission to be moved to the front of any line. In accordance with policies and procedures promulgated by the state coordinator of elections and at the discretion of the officer of elections, the requesting voter may be moved to the front of any line at the polling place. (2) A temporary sign, restating the language of subdivision (c)(1), shall be prominently and strategically posted at the polling place whenever voting is underway at the polling place.
(1) A voter, who is physically disabled or who is visibly pregnant or frail, may request the officer of elections at the polling place for permission to be moved to the front of any line. In accordance with policies and procedures promulgated by the state coordinator of elections and at the discretion of the officer of elections, the requesting voter may be moved to the front of any line at the polling place.
(2) A temporary sign, restating the language of subdivision (c)(1), shall be prominently and strategically posted at the polling place whenever voting is underway at the polling place.
(d) Notwithstanding this section or any other law to the contrary, a person convicted of voter fraud in any state shall not assist a person in casting a vote.
Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 271, s 4, eff. 4/30/2019.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1975, ch. 2, § 1; T.C.A., §2-716; Acts 1997 , ch. 122, §1; 1997 , ch. 558, §8; 1997 , ch. 558, §§8, 9; 1998, ch. 719, §§ 1, 2; 2005, ch. 301, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-11-104 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 11 / Section 2-11-104
Election of members
Status: in_force

(a) All members shall be elected for a term of four (4) years, beginning on the first Monday in May 1979. (b) The election of the members of the state election commission shall be by joint resolution of both houses of the general assembly. The election is to take place in the joint session of both houses in which each member of the general assembly shall be entitled to one (1) vote. (c) Elections shall be held on any date fixed by joint resolution, but shall be held prior to the fourth Monday in March of the year of the election. (d) Nomination of members shall be in accordance with § 2-11-103 . Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1974, ch. 642, § 3; 1975, ch. 72, § 6; 1976, ch. 659, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1104.
(a) All members shall be elected for a term of four (4) years, beginning on the first Monday in May 1979.
(b) The election of the members of the state election commission shall be by joint resolution of both houses of the general assembly. The election is to take place in the joint session of both houses in which each member of the general assembly shall be entitled to one (1) vote.
(c) Elections shall be held on any date fixed by joint resolution, but shall be held prior to the fourth Monday in March of the year of the election.
(d) Nomination of members shall be in accordance with § 2-11-103 .
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1974, ch. 642, § 3; 1975, ch. 72, § 6; 1976, ch. 659, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1104.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-119 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 2 / Section 2-2-119
Disabled registrant - Inability to write signature or make mark
Status: in_force

If a registrant's disability prevents the registrant from writing a signature or making a mark, the person who assists the registrant shall write the name for the registrant. Such person shall indicate this action by signing such person's name immediately after the space for the registrant's signature or mark. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-219; Acts 1994, ch. 919, § 18.
If a registrant's disability prevents the registrant from writing a signature or making a mark, the person who assists the registrant shall write the name for the registrant. Such person shall indicate this action by signing such person's name immediately after the space for the registrant's signature or mark.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-219; Acts 1994, ch. 919, § 18.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-115 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 2 / Section 2-2-115
Registration by mail - Forms
Status: in_force

(a) Qualified voters may register by mail by use of postal card forms in such a manner as provided for in this section. (b) (1) The coordinator of elections shall prepare voter registration forms in accordance with this section and shall provide for the printing of an ample quantity of such registration forms to be distributed under this section. (2) Printed registration forms shall be designed to provide a simple method of registering by mail to vote. Registration forms shall include such matter as the coordinator of elections requires to ascertain the qualifications of an individual applying to register under this section and to prevent fraudulent registration. (3) Registration notification forms advising the applicant of the acceptance or rejection of the applicant's registration shall be completed and mailed by the county election commission to the applicant. If any registration notification form is undeliverable, it shall not be forwarded to another address but shall be returned to the county election commission mailing the form. If any registration notification form is returned as undeliverable and indicates an acceptance of a voter's registration, the administrator of elections shall mail a forwardable confirmation notice to the registrant at the address of registration with a postage prepaid, pre-addressed return form on which the voter may verify or correct the address information. Upon the mailing of the confirmation notice, the administrator of elections shall place the registration in inactive status pursuant to § 2-2-106(d) . (4) The coordinator of elections or any county election commission is authorized to enter into agreements with the postal service and with departments and agencies of the federal government or appropriate state or local agencies, for the distribution of the registration forms, or to arrange for the distribution of such forms so as to effectuate the purpose of this section. (5) Whenever a state or county official has reason to believe that individuals who are not qualified voters are attempting to register to vote under this chapter, such official shall notify the coordinator of elections and request the assistance of the coordinator of elections to prevent the fraudulent registration. The coordinator of elections shall give such reasonable and expeditious assistance as the coordinator deems appropriate in such cases. (6) If a state or county official determines that there is a pattern of fraudulent registration, or any activities on the part of any individuals to vote who are not qualified voters, the coordinator of elections shall request the district attorney general within whose district these actions may occur, to bring action under this section. The district attorney general shall bring civil action in any appropriate court in Tennessee to secure an order to prevent fraudulent registration. (7) (A) Each person who registers by mail shall appear in person to vote in the first election the person votes in after such registration becomes effective. Before voting at the appropriate polling place or election commission office, such person shall present satisfactory proof of identity. (B) The requirement to appear in person to vote in the first election shall not apply to: (i) A person who is on the permanent absentee voting register; or (ii) A person who is in the address confidentiality program under title 40, chapter 38, part 6. Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1004, s 2, eff. 3/1/2019. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1975, ch. 308, § 1; 1977, ch. 218, §§ 1, 2; 1978, ch. 508, § 1; 1978, ch. 941, § 2; 1979, ch. 302, §§ 1, 2; 1979, ch. 306, §§ 11, 21; T.C.A., § 2-215; Acts 1980, ch. 580, § 1; 1980, ch. 638, § 7; 1981, ch. 478, § 6; 1983, ch. 157, §§ 1, 2; 1983, ch. 413, § 1; 1989, ch. 274, § 1; 1991, ch. 34, § 1; 1993, ch. 379, § 1; 1994, ch. 859, § 12; 1994, ch. 919, §§ 7-12, 33; 2000, ch. 756, § 2; 2011 , ch. 412, § 1.
(a) Qualified voters may register by mail by use of postal card forms in such a manner as provided for in this section.
(b) (1) The coordinator of elections shall prepare voter registration forms in accordance with this section and shall provide for the printing of an ample quantity of such registration forms to be distributed under this section. (2) Printed registration forms shall be designed to provide a simple method of registering by mail to vote. Registration forms shall include such matter as the coordinator of elections requires to ascertain the qualifications of an individual applying to register under this section and to prevent fraudulent registration. (3) Registration notification forms advising the applicant of the acceptance or rejection of the applicant's registration shall be completed and mailed by the county election commission to the applicant. If any registration notification form is undeliverable, it shall not be forwarded to another address but shall be returned to the county election commission mailing the form. If any registration notification form is returned as undeliverable and indicates an acceptance of a voter's registration, the administrator of elections shall mail a forwardable confirmation notice to the registrant at the address of registration with a postage prepaid, pre-addressed return form on which the voter may verify or correct the address information. Upon the mailing of the confirmation notice, the administrator of elections shall place the registration in inactive status pursuant to § 2-2-106(d) . (4) The coordinator of elections or any county election commission is authorized to enter into agreements with the postal service and with departments and agencies of the federal government or appropriate state or local agencies, for the distribution of the registration forms, or to arrange for the distribution of such forms so as to effectuate the purpose of this section. (5) Whenever a state or county official has reason to believe that individuals who are not qualified voters are attempting to register to vote under this chapter, such official shall notify the coordinator of elections and request the assistance of the coordinator of elections to prevent the fraudulent registration. The coordinator of elections shall give such reasonable and expeditious assistance as the coordinator deems appropriate in such cases. (6) If a state or county official determines that there is a pattern of fraudulent registration, or any activities on the part of any individuals to vote who are not qualified voters, the coordinator of elections shall request the district attorney general within whose district these actions may occur, to bring action under this section. The district attorney general shall bring civil action in any appropriate court in Tennessee to secure an order to prevent fraudulent registration. (7) (A) Each person who registers by mail shall appear in person to vote in the first election the person votes in after such registration becomes effective. Before voting at the appropriate polling place or election commission office, such person shall present satisfactory proof of identity. (B) The requirement to appear in person to vote in the first election shall not apply to: (i) A person who is on the permanent absentee voting register; or (ii) A person who is in the address confidentiality program under title 40, chapter 38, part 6.
(1) The coordinator of elections shall prepare voter registration forms in accordance with this section and shall provide for the printing of an ample quantity of such registration forms to be distributed under this section.
(2) Printed registration forms shall be designed to provide a simple method of registering by mail to vote. Registration forms shall include such matter as the coordinator of elections requires to ascertain the qualifications of an individual applying to register under this section and to prevent fraudulent registration.
(3) Registration notification forms advising the applicant of the acceptance or rejection of the applicant's registration shall be completed and mailed by the county election commission to the applicant. If any registration notification form is undeliverable, it shall not be forwarded to another address but shall be returned to the county election commission mailing the form. If any registration notification form is returned as undeliverable and indicates an acceptance of a voter's registration, the administrator of elections shall mail a forwardable confirmation notice to the registrant at the address of registration with a postage prepaid, pre-addressed return form on which the voter may verify or correct the address information. Upon the mailing of the confirmation notice, the administrator of elections shall place the registration in inactive status pursuant to § 2-2-106(d) .
(4) The coordinator of elections or any county election commission is authorized to enter into agreements with the postal service and with departments and agencies of the federal government or appropriate state or local agencies, for the distribution of the registration forms, or to arrange for the distribution of such forms so as to effectuate the purpose of this section.
(5) Whenever a state or county official has reason to believe that individuals who are not qualified voters are attempting to register to vote under this chapter, such official shall notify the coordinator of elections and request the assistance of the coordinator of elections to prevent the fraudulent registration. The coordinator of elections shall give such reasonable and expeditious assistance as the coordinator deems appropriate in such cases.
(6) If a state or county official determines that there is a pattern of fraudulent registration, or any activities on the part of any individuals to vote who are not qualified voters, the coordinator of elections shall request the district attorney general within whose district these actions may occur, to bring action under this section. The district attorney general shall bring civil action in any appropriate court in Tennessee to secure an order to prevent fraudulent registration.
(7) (A) Each person who registers by mail shall appear in person to vote in the first election the person votes in after such registration becomes effective. Before voting at the appropriate polling place or election commission office, such person shall present satisfactory proof of identity. (B) The requirement to appear in person to vote in the first election shall not apply to: (i) A person who is on the permanent absentee voting register; or (ii) A person who is in the address confidentiality program under title 40, chapter 38, part 6.
(A) Each person who registers by mail shall appear in person to vote in the first election the person votes in after such registration becomes effective. Before voting at the appropriate polling place or election commission office, such person shall present satisfactory proof of identity.
(B) The requirement to appear in person to vote in the first election shall not apply to: (i) A person who is on the permanent absentee voting register; or (ii) A person who is in the address confidentiality program under title 40, chapter 38, part 6.
(i) A person who is on the permanent absentee voting register; or
(ii) A person who is in the address confidentiality program under title 40, chapter 38, part 6.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1004, s 2, eff. 3/1/2019.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; 1975, ch. 308, § 1; 1977, ch. 218, §§ 1, 2; 1978, ch. 508, § 1; 1978, ch. 941, § 2; 1979, ch. 302, §§ 1, 2; 1979, ch. 306, §§ 11, 21; T.C.A., § 2-215; Acts 1980, ch. 580, § 1; 1980, ch. 638, § 7; 1981, ch. 478, § 6; 1983, ch. 157, §§ 1, 2; 1983, ch. 413, § 1; 1989, ch. 274, § 1; 1991, ch. 34, § 1; 1993, ch. 379, § 1; 1994, ch. 859, § 12; 1994, ch. 919, §§ 7-12, 33; 2000, ch. 756, § 2; 2011 , ch. 412, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-8-109 — TN Code / Title 2 / Chapter 8 / Section 2-8-109
Messenger to bring county returns to the secretary of state
Status: in_force

The secretary of state may employ a special messenger to bring the returns filed with the county clerk if those sent by mail fail to arrive. The expenses of the messenger shall be paid out of the state treasury. Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; impl. am. Acts 1978, ch. 934, §§ 22, 36; 1979, ch. 306, § 9; T.C.A., § 2-809.
The secretary of state may employ a special messenger to bring the returns filed with the county clerk if those sent by mail fail to arrive. The expenses of the messenger shall be paid out of the state treasury.
Acts 1972, ch. 740, § 1; impl. am. Acts 1978, ch. 934, §§ 22, 36; 1979, ch. 306, § 9; T.C.A., § 2-809.