Nashville, Tennessee, Transit Improvement Program Referendum (November 2024)

Nashville Transit Improvement Program Referendum
Election date November 5, 2024
Topic City tax and Local sales tax
Status Approved
Type Referral

Nashville Transit Improvement Program Referendum was on the ballot as a referral in Nashville on November 5, 2024. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported approving a sales tax surcharge of 0.5% which, along with federal grants and revenues from transportation fares, will go towards funding the completion of the entire priority sidewalk network, significantly expanded 24-hour public transportation service 365 days a year, more neighborhood transit centers, improved safety for roadway users, and upgrading and modernizing an estimated two-thirds of the city's signalized intersections.

A "no" vote opposed approving a sales tax surcharge of 0.5% which, along with federal grants and revenues from transportation fares, will go towards funding the completion of the entire priority sidewalk network, significantly expanded 24-hour public transportation service 365 days a year, more neighborhood transit centers, improved safety for roadway users, and upgrading and modernizing an estimated two-thirds of the city's signalized intersections.

A simple majority was required to approve the measure.

Election results

Nashville Transit Improvement Program Referendum
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		183,663	65.55%
No		96,544	34.45%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Transit Improvement Program Referendum was as follows:

“

Transit Improvement Program Referendum Election Referendum Vote for One (1) Passage of this measure adopted by Ordinance BL2024-427, allows the Metropolitan Government to complete the entire priority sidewalk network when combined with annual capital spending, provide significantly expanded 24-hour public transportation service 365 days a year including frequent service on major routes, add more neighborhood transit centers, improve safety for all roadway users, and upgrade and modernize nearly two-thirds of the city’s signalized intersections. This program's capital cost is estimated to have a current cost of $3,096,000,000. Once construction is complete, the estimated value of recurring annual operating and maintenance costs is approximately $111,000,000. The Metropolitan Transit Authority (WeGo), Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure, Metro Planning Department, and Mayor’s Office, in partnership with other Metro departments, will undertake implementation of the program. This program will be funded by federal grants, revenues from transportation system fares, debt, and a sales tax surcharge of 0.5%. The tax surcharge will end once all debt issued for the transit improvement program has been paid and the Metropolitan Council determines by resolution that the revenues from the tax surcharges are no longer needed for operation of the program.

”

Path to the ballot

This measure was put on the ballot through a vote of the governing body of Nashville.

How to cast a vote

See also: Voting in Tennessee

See below to learn more about current voter registration rules, identification requirements, and poll times in Tennessee.

How to vote in Tennessee

Poll times

Each county election commission must determine the opening time for polling places in the county at least 15 days before an election, with certain requirements based on county population. All polling places close at 7 p.m. CST (8 p.m. EST). The polls must be open for a minimum of 10 consecutive hours, but not more than 13 hours. An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote.

Registration

Check your voter registration status here.

To register to vote in Tennessee, an applicant must be a citizen of the United States, a resident of Tennessee, and at least 18 years old by the day of the next election.

Prospective voters can register online, by mailing a voter registration application to the county election commission, or in person at a variety of locations including the county clerk’s office, the county election commission office, public libraries, and numerous state agencies. Registration must be completed 30 days before an election.

Automatic registration

See also: Automatic voter registration

Tennessee does not practice automatic voter registration.

Online registration

See also: Online voter registration

Tennessee has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website.

Same-day registration

See also: Same-day voter registration

Tennessee does not allow same-day voter registration.

Residency requirements

To register to vote in Tennessee, you must be a resident of the state. Click here for more information about determining residency in Tennessee.

Verification of citizenship

See also: Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Tennessee does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, providing false information on an application "is a felony punishable by not less than two (2) years nor more than twelve (12) years imprisonment or a fine of $5,000 or both."

Tennessee law requires election officials to conduct check of voter registration applicants' citizenship status. Section 2-2-141 of the Tennessee Code states the following:

“	‘’’2-2-141. Proof of citizenship for registering to vote.’’’ (a) The coordinator of elections shall compare the statewide voter registration database with the department of safety database to ensure non-United States citizens are not registered to vote in this state. The coordinator of elections is authorized to compare the statewide voter registration database with relevant federal and state agencies and county records for the same purpose. If evidence exists that a particular registered voter is not a citizen of the United States, the coordinator of elections shall notify the county election commission where the person registered to vote that the registered voter may not be a citizen of the United States. (b) After receiving such notice, the county election commission shall send a notice to the registered voter inquiring whether the individual is eligible to be registered to vote. Any registered voter who receives the notice shall, within thirty (30) days of the receipt of such notice, provide proof of citizenship to the county election commission.	”
—Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-2-141

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment. Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The Tennessee secretary of state’s office allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visiting this website.

Voter ID requirements

Tennessee requires voters to present photo identification while voting.

Voters can present the following forms of identification, even if expired:

• Tennessee driver’s license with photo
• United States passport
• Photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security
• Photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government
• United States Military photo ID
• Tennessee handgun carry permit with photo

First time voters who register by mail or online can not use an expired ID. If they do not have a currently valid ID, they may use the following to vote at the polls:

• A copy of a current utility bill
• Bank statement,
• Government check,
• Paycheck
• Other government document that shows the voter’s name and address.

The following voters are exempt from the photo ID requirements:

• Voters who vote absentee by mail
• Voters who are residents of a licensed nursing home or assisted living center and who vote at the facility
• Voters who are hospitalized
• Voters with a religious objection to being photographed
• Voters who are indigent and unable to obtain a photo ID without paying a fee

Voters can obtain a free photo ID from the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security at any participating driver service center. In order to receive an ID, a voter must bring proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate) and two proofs of Tennessee residency (such as a voter registration card, a utility bill, vehicle registration or title, or bank statement). Visit the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's Voter Photo ID page for more information.

See also

Local measures

• Local measures in 2024
• Local transportation on the ballot

Tennessee

• Tennessee 2024 local measures
• Local ballot measures, Tennessee
• Nashville, Tennessee

News and analysis

• State and local preemption conflicts
• Measures advancing national agendas