Three Amendments on Tennessee’s Ballot: Ban a State Property Tax, Hold Violent Offenders Without Bail, Strengthen Victims’ Rights

NASHVILLE — Tennessee Patriots have more than candidates to decide this fall. Three proposed amendments to the Tennessee Constitution are on the November 3, 2026 ballot, and early voting starts today. The Tennessee Secretary of State lists them directly after the candidates for governor, each as a yes-or-no question.

Amendment #1 — Keep the most violent offenders behind bars. Proposed by Senate Joint Resolution 919 (113th) and SJR 25 (114th), it amends Article I, Section 15 so a court can hold a defendant without bail before trial when the proof is evident or the presumption great for a capital offense, an act of terrorism, second degree murder, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated rape, grave torture, or any offense for which a convicted person would have to serve at least 85 percent of the sentence. Judges must put their reasons for granting or denying bail in those cases on the record.

Amendment #2 — No state property tax, ever. Proposed by House Joint Resolution 81 (113th) and SJR 1 (114th), it adds language to Article II, Section 28 so that “the Legislature shall not levy, authorize, or otherwise permit any state tax upon such property.” It locks Tennessee’s low-tax tradition into the Constitution itself.

Amendment #3 — A Victims’ Bill of Rights with teeth. Proposed by HJR 94 (113th) and SJR 9 (114th), it replaces Article I, Section 35 with a full list of crime victims’ rights: to be treated with fairness, to be heard and take part in the parole process, to be free from harassment, intimidation and abuse, to be told the offender’s minimum sentence and scheduled release date, to full and timely restitution, and to have the safety of the victim, the victim’s family and the public considered before any parole or release decision.

How they pass: Tennessee sets a high bar. According to the Secretary of State, an amendment must get more “yes” votes than “no” votes, and the number of “yes” votes must be more than half of all votes cast in the governor’s race. If a voter skips the amendment question, it can still count against passage, so read the full ballot before you cast it.

Law and order, low taxes, and justice for victims — that is the Tennessee way. Read the full text of each amendment on the Secretary of State’s website, check your sample ballot in GoVoteTN, and vote early through October 29.