Eleanor Finch
Tennessee's constitution can be amended through a lengthy process that involves passing through two consecutive general assemblies, the first by a simple majority and the second by a two-thirds majority. If an amendment passes this stage, it is then put to a referendum during a gubernatorial election year. Amendments can be proposed by lawmakers at any time and must be submitted to voters at a general election for the governor. The ballot for a proposed amendment must include the question to be submitted to the people, drafted by the legislature, and a summary of the proposal, drafted by the Attorney General.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who can propose an amendment? | Lawmakers, House leadership, House Democratic Caucus Chair, Senate Joint Resolution, House Joint Resolution |
| Where is the amendment proposed? | In the Senate or House of Representatives |
| How often can amendments be proposed? | At any time |
| How many times must an amendment be read in each house? | Three times on three separate days |
| What is the approval process? | A majority of all members elected to each house, then two-thirds of all members elected to each house, then a majority of voters in a general election for the Governor |
| When do voters decide on an amendment? | During a gubernatorial election year |
| What information is provided to voters? | A question, a brief summary of the proposal, and a summary of the proposal drafted by the Attorney General |
| What happens if an amendment passes? | It becomes part of the Constitution |
| What happens if an amendment fails? | It does not become part of the Constitution |
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What You'll Learn
- Proposed amendments must be submitted to voters at a general election for the Governor
- Amendments must be passed by two consecutive general assemblies
- Amendments must be agreed upon by a majority of all members in both houses
- Amendments must be published six months before the next general assembly
- Amendments can be proposed in the Senate or House of Representatives
Proposed amendments must be submitted to voters at a general election for the Governor
In Tennessee, legislatively referred amendments are the only form of statewide direct democracy available. Proposed amendments must be submitted to voters at a general election for the Governor. This is a lengthy process, requiring passage by two consecutive general assemblies, the first by a simple majority and the second by a two-thirds majority. If an amendment passes the legislature, it then moves on to a ballot for referendum, which can only happen during a gubernatorial election year.
The ballot for a proposed amendment must include a question to be submitted to the people, drafted by the Tennessee legislature, and a brief summary of the proposal, written by the Attorney General. The proposal must be published six months before the election. The amendment passes and becomes part of the Constitution if there are more yes votes than no votes, and the number of yes votes exceeds 50%+1 of the total votes for governor. If the number of yes votes does not meet this threshold, or there are more no votes than yes votes, the amendment fails.
The Tennessee Constitution grants the Legislature the right to submit to the people, at any general election, the question of calling a convention to alter, reform, or abolish any part of the Constitution. When such a proposal is approved by a majority of voters, delegates to the convention are chosen at the next general election. No change to the Constitution proposed by such a convention can become effective unless it is approved and ratified by a majority of voters at a subsequent election.
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Amendments must be passed by two consecutive general assemblies
The process to amend the Tennessee Constitution is lengthy and requires the proposed amendment to be passed by two consecutive General Assemblies. This process is outlined in Article XI, Section 3 of the Tennessee Constitution. Firstly, the proposed amendment must be passed by a simple majority in the first General Assembly. Following this, the amendment must be passed by a two-thirds majority in the second, or next chosen, General Assembly. This is further detailed in Article XI, Section 3, which states that the proposal must be agreed to by two-thirds of all the members elected to each house.
Once an amendment has passed both General Assemblies, it is then the duty of the General Assembly to submit the proposed amendment to the people at the next general election in which a governor is to be chosen. The ballot for a proposed amendment must include the question to be submitted to the people, as well as a brief summary of the proposal. The question is drafted by the Tennessee legislature, and the summary is drafted by the Attorney General.
The Tennessee Constitution also outlines that the proposal must be read three times on three separate days in each house. Furthermore, the proposal must be published six months before the next General Assembly is chosen.
The process of amending the Tennessee Constitution is the only form of statewide direct democracy available in the state.
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Amendments must be agreed upon by a majority of all members in both houses
Tennessee's Constitution, Article XI, Section 3, outlines the process of proposing an amendment. Any amendment must be proposed in the Senate or House of Representatives, and if agreed upon by a majority of all members in both houses, the proposed amendment shall be entered in their journals with the yeas and nays, and referred to the General Assembly. The proposed amendment must then be agreed upon by two-thirds of all members elected to each house in the next General Assembly. If the amendment passes this stage, it is then submitted to the people at the next general election in which a governor is to be chosen.
The process to amend the Tennessee Constitution is lengthy and requires the approval of two consecutive General Assemblies. The first passage requires a simple majority, while the second demands a two-thirds majority. If an amendment successfully passes through the legislature, it moves on to a ballot referendum, which can only occur during a gubernatorial election year.
The ballot for a proposed amendment must include a question and a brief summary of the proposal. The question is drafted by the state legislature, while the Attorney General is responsible for preparing a clear and concise summary using common language. The proposal must be published six months before the election.
The people of Tennessee must then approve and ratify the amendment by a majority vote. For the amendment to pass, the number of yes votes must exceed 50% of the total votes cast for governor, and there must be more yes votes than no votes.
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Amendments must be published six months before the next general assembly
The process to amend the Tennessee Constitution is lengthy and detailed. As outlined in Article XI, Section 3, any proposed amendments must be published six months before the next general assembly. This means that the people of Tennessee must be informed of the proposed changes to their constitution well in advance of any vote or referendum.
The publication of proposed amendments is a crucial step in the amendment process. It ensures that the people of Tennessee have sufficient time to review and understand the changes being proposed. This period also allows for debate and discussion, enabling Tennesseans to form informed opinions on the amendments. During this time, the proposed amendments are also reviewed by the Attorney General, who provides a summary of each amendment to be placed on the ballot. This summary is intended to be written in clear and straightforward language, making it accessible to all voters.
The requirement to publish amendments six months in advance also ensures that the legislative process is transparent and accountable to the people of Tennessee. By providing advance notice of proposed changes, legislators offer their constituents the opportunity to engage with the process and make their voices heard. This period allows for a thorough examination of the amendments and encourages democratic participation.
The Tennessee Constitution outlines specific procedures for proposing and enacting amendments. Any amendment must be proposed in the Senate or House of Representatives and agreed upon by a majority of members in each house. The proposed amendment is then entered into the journals of both houses, with the votes of the members recorded. Following this, the proposed amendment must be published six months before the next general assembly is chosen.
In summary, the requirement to publish amendments six months before the next general assembly is a key part of Tennessee's constitutional amendment process. It ensures transparency, encourages democratic participation, and provides Tennesseans with the information they need to understand and engage with the proposed changes to their constitution.
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Amendments can be proposed in the Senate or House of Representatives
Tennessee's Constitution outlines the process for proposing amendments in Article XI, Section 3. Any amendment or amendments to the Constitution may be proposed in the Senate or House of Representatives. If the proposal is agreed upon by the majority of members in each of the two houses, it is entered into their journals with the votes recorded and referred to the next General Assembly.
The proposal must then be agreed upon by at least two-thirds of the members in each house of the next General Assembly. If this occurs, the General Assembly is then required to submit the proposed amendment to the people at the next gubernatorial election, i.e., when the governor is to be chosen.
The ballot for a proposed amendment must include the question to be submitted to the people and a brief summary of the proposal. The Attorney General drafts the summary, which is included alongside the ballot question. The ballot question is drafted by the Tennessee legislature.
If the proposed amendment receives a majority of votes in favour, it passes and becomes part of the Constitution. If it does not receive a majority, it fails.
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Frequently asked questions
Any amendment to the Tennessee Constitution may be proposed in the Senate or House of Representatives. If the amendment is agreed upon by a majority of all the members of each house, it is entered into their journals and referred to the General Assembly. If it is then agreed to by two-thirds of the members of each house, it is submitted to the people at the next general election. If it is approved and ratified by a majority of voters, the amendment passes.
The ballot for a proposed amendment to the Tennessee Constitution includes a question to be submitted to the people, drafted by the Tennessee legislature, and a brief summary of the proposal, drafted by the Attorney General.
Proposed amendments can be submitted to voters at any general election for the Governor. However, the referendum may only happen during a gubernatorial election year when Tennesseans choose their next governor.
The Legislature may submit to the people, at any general election, the question of calling a convention to alter, reform, or abolish the Constitution or any specified part of it. If a majority of voters approve the proposal, delegates for the convention shall be chosen at the next general election. No changes to the Constitution proposed by the convention will become effective unless approved and ratified by a majority of voters.
