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Friday, October 30, 2026Oct 30

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Free Press Opinion: Constitutional changes decked up for Tennessee voters

File Photo By John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout / On the ballot in November is a measure to constitutionally prohibit a state property tax, although Tennessee has not had one since 1946.
File Photo By John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout / On the ballot in November is a measure to constitutionally prohibit a state property tax, although Tennessee has not had one since 1946. File Photo By John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout / On the ballot in November is a measure to constitutionally prohibit a state property tax, although Tennessee has not had one since 1946.

You know all that writing at the bottom of your election ballot that you’re unfamiliar with and don’t want to take the time to read? Well, get ready. Some of that will be on your November ballot.

What will be there is a voter’s choice of whether to approve or disapprove three proposed constitutional amendments.

Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett recently announced that summaries of the amendments are available to voters.

In short:

› Amendment No. 1 allows the court to hold defendants without bail if the defendant is accused of an offense punishable by the death penalty, an act of terrorism, second-degree murder, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated rape, grave torture or any crime for which a convicted person would be required to serve 86% of their sentence. Currently, courts can set bail for defendants accused of any of the above crimes.