List of Tennessee ballot measures
This page provides a list of ballot measures that have appeared on the statewide ballot in Tennessee.
- The list is comprehensive for state ballot measures since 1998.
- Years before 1998 include a selection of measures; some years are comprehensive, while others are partial.
- HBM Factbooks
- List of ballot measures by year
- Types of ballot measures
Historical Ballot Measures (HBM) Factbooks
The inventory of statewide ballot measures is part of Ballotpedia's Historical Ballot Measure Factbooks, which document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States. This ongoing research effort will provide an unparalleled resource for researchers, reporters, and voters on how ballot measures have evolved, the issues they've covered, and the role they have played in our civic life. Click here to access the state historical ballot measure factbooks.
List of ballot measures by year
Measures are listed in reverse-chronological order, with the most recent and upcoming elections appearing first. Tables include brief summaries, relevant topics, and the election results for each measure.
2026
See also: Tennessee 2026 ballot measures
November 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marsy's Law Crime Victims Rights Amendment | Criminal trials; Crime victims' rights | Amend the list of crime victims' rights in the constitution | ||
| Prohibit State Property Taxes Amendment | State legislative authority; Property taxes | Prohibit the legislature from enacting taxes on property | ||
| Remove Right to Bail for Certain Criminal Offenses Amendment | Criminal trials; Bail policy | Remove the right to bail for specified criminal offenses |
2022
See also: Tennessee 2022 ballot measures
November 8
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Right-to-work laws | Add right-to-work law to state constitution |
| 1,141,941 (70%) | 494,239 (30%) | |
| Amendment 2 | State executive official measures | Provide process and line of succession for acting governor |
| 1,176,297 (75%) | 400,109 (25%) | |
| Amendment 3 | Constitutional wording changes | Repeal language allowing slavery or involuntary servitude as criminal punishments |
| 1,294,296 (80%) | 333,071 (20%) | |
| Amendment 4 | State legislative elections | Remove a constitutional provision stating that religious ministers cannot be elected to the Legislature |
| 1,020,981 (63%) | 593,461 (37%) |
2014
See also: Tennessee 2014 ballot measures
November 4
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Abortion policy | Provide that there is no state constitutional right to abortion |
| 729,163 (53%) | 657,192 (47%) | |
| Amendment 2 | State judiciary |
| 832,188 (61%) | 533,973 (39%) | ||
| Amendment 3 | Taxes |
| 882,926 (66%) | 450,522 (34%) | ||
| Amendment 4 | Gambling policy |
| 903,353 (70%) | 394,317 (30%) |
2010
See also: Tennessee 2010 ballot measures
November 2
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment | Right to hunt and fish; Constitutional rights | Provide for state constitutional right to hunt and fish |
| 1,255,840 (87%) | 181,465 (13%) |
2006
See also: Tennessee 2006 ballot measures
November 7
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Family-related policy; LGBTQ issues | Define marriage as between one man and one woman |
| 1,419,434 (81%) | 327,536 (19%) | |
| Amendment 1 | Family-related policy |
| 1,419,434 (81%) | 327,536 (19%) | ||
| Amendment 2 | Taxes |
| 1,361,682 (83%) | 278,130 (17%) |
2002
See also: Tennessee 2002 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Gambling policy |
| 894,232 (58%) | 659,979 (42%) | |
| Amendment 2 | State judicial authority; State legislative authority; Jury rules |  | 702,434 (53%) | 623,535 (47%) |
1998
See also: Tennessee 1998 ballot measures
November 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Corrections governance |
| 526,531 (69%) | 240,829 (31%) | |
| Amendment 2 | Crime victims' rights |
| 680,712 (89%) | 85,565 (11%) |
1982
See also: Tennessee 1982 ballot measures
November 2
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Constitutional wording changes; Taxes | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended: Article II, Section 28. The amendment proposed that the section read as follows: the legislature shall provide, in such a manner as it deems appropriate, tax relief to elderly low-income taxpayers through payments by state to reimburse all or part of the taxes paid by such persons on owner-occupied residential property, but such reimbursement shall not be an obligation imposed, directly or indirectly upon counties, cities, or towns. |
| 696,978 (86%) | 112,451 (14%) |
1972
See also: Tennessee 1972 ballot measures
August 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Taxes | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended regarding the state tax laws. The amendment proposed that the state provide different assessments for commercial property, utilities and individual property. |
| 493,076 (74%) | 175,287 (26%) |
1970
See also: Tennessee 1970 ballot measures
November 3
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | Law enforcement officers and departments | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended regarding the sheriffs’ term limits. The amendment proposed that a sheriff would be elected for a period of four years, rather than two. This referendum was eventually defeated because it did not receive majority votes in the gubernatorial election. |
| 283,210 (55%) | 229,349 (45%) |
1968
See also: Tennessee 1968 ballot measures
November 5
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amendment 1 | State judiciary; State constitutional conventions | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended: Article I, Section 14; Articles V and VI; Article VII, Section 5. The amendment proposed that a constitutional convention be held to discuss amending the articles and sections pertaining to state judiciary and the impeachment of judicial officers. | | 260,270 (46%) | 301,798 (54%) | |
| Amendment 2 | State constitutional conventions; State and local government budgets, spending, and finance | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended: Article VI, Section 15; Articles VII, Sections 1, 2 and 5; Article X, Sections 4 and 5; Article XI, Sections 9 and 17. The amendment proposed that a constitutional convention be held to discuss amending the articles and sections pertaining to local government. | | 234,613 (44%) | 302,220 (56%) | |
| Amendment 3 | Taxes; State constitutional conventions | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended: Article II, Section 28. The amendment proposed that a constitutional convention be held to discuss the classification of property for the purpose of tax assessment. The amendment proposes four classifications: 1) public utility property, which is to be assessed at between 45 and 55 percent of its value; 2) industrial and commercial property, which is to be assessed at between 35 and 45 percent of its value; 3) residential property, which is to be assessed at between 25 and 35 percent of its value; and 4) farm property, which is to be assessed at between 20 and 25 percent of its value. Personal property is to be exempt as well as personal household property; the exemption would be between $5,000 and $7,500. Other proposed exemptions: intangible personal property, and personal checking and savings accounts. Taxes would be levied in a uniform manner. The convention will not amend articles pertaining to personal income tax. |
| 422,812 (58%) | 301,863 (42%) | |
| Amendment 4 | State constitutional conventions; Administration of government | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended: Article I, Section 28; Article II, Sections 8 and 30; Article III, Sections 2, 4 and 5; Article VIII. The amendment proposed that a constitutional convention be held to discuss the emendation, alteration or abolition of the preceding amendments regarding: the state militia, legislative sessions, the governor’s inauguration, the limitation of taxes on articles manufactured of produce of the state other than the inspection fee, the election of the governor, the governors term of service, and the governor as the commander-in-chief calling out the militia. | | 211,925 (43%) | 276,104 (57%) | |
| Amendment 5 | State constitutional conventions; Constitutional rights | The amendment proposed that the constitution be amended: Article IV, Section 1. The amendment proposed that a constitutional convention be held to discuss the lowering of the voting age to 18. | | 236,214 (45%) | 290,922 (55%) |
Types of ballot measures in Tennessee
- See also: Types of ballot measures in Tennessee
Citizen-initiated ballot measures
In Tennessee, citizens do not have the power to initiate ballot measures at the state level.
Legislative referrals
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
In Tennessee, the state Legislature must pass a constitutional amendment during two successive legislative sessions with an election in between. During the first legislative session, a simple majority vote is required in both legislative chambers. During the second legislative session, a two-thirds vote is required in both legislative chambers. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. In Tennessee, amendments must be placed on general election ballots in which there is also a gubernatorial election.
The required legislative votes per session, assuming no vacancies, are listed below:
| Session | Requirement | Senate | House |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Simple majority vote | 17 | 50 |
| Second | Two-thirds vote | 22 | 66 |
Constitutional convention questions
- See also: Constitutional convention question
According to Section 3 of Article XI of the Tennessee Constitution, the state Legislature can vote to refer a constitutional convention question to voters. A simple majority vote is required in the Legislature.
See also
Footnotes
