Tennessee 2024 local ballot measures

Tennessee Local Ballot Measures
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Ballotpedia covered local ballot measures in Tennessee on November 5, 2024.

In 2024, Ballotpedia covered local ballot measures that appeared on the ballot for voters within the 100 largest cities in the U.S., within state capitals, and throughout California. You can review the coverage scope of the local ballot measures project here.

Ballotpedia covered electoral system-related ballot measures, like ranked-choice voting, and policing-related ballot measures outside of the largest cities.

See also: Local ballot measure elections in 2024

November 5

Davidson County

See also: Davidson County, Tennessee ballot measures

• Nashville, Tennessee, Transit Improvement Program Referendum (November 2024):  ✔

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.

Shelby County

See also: Shelby County, Tennessee ballot measures

• Memphis, Tennessee, Referendum Ordinance No. 5884, Majority Runoff Election for Mayor Amendment (November 2024):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported requiring a runoff election between the top two mayoral candidates if no candidate receives a majority of the votes.

A "no" vote opposed requiring a runoff election between the top two mayoral candidates if no candidate receives a majority of the votes.

• Memphis, Tennessee, Referendum Ordinance No. 5893, City Council to Set Salaries for Officials Amendment (November 2024):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported authorizing the Memphis City Council to set, by ordinance, the salaries of the mayor, city council members, chief administrative officer, and appointed directors and deputy directors.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing the Memphis City Council to set, by ordinance, the salaries of the mayor, city council members, chief administrative officer, and appointed directors and deputy directors.

• Memphis, Tennessee, Referendum Ordinance No. 5908, Question 1, Local Firearm Regulations Amendment (November 2024):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported adopting the following firearm regulations: prohibiting carrying a handgun in Memphis without a valid handgun carry permit; prohibiting carrying, storing, or traveling with a handgun in a vehicle without a valid handgun permit; and making it unlawful to store a firearm or ammunition in a vehicle or boat while not present, unless it is out of plain view and securely locked in the trunk, utility or glove box, or a locked container.

A "no" vote opposed adopting the following firearm regulations: prohibiting carrying a handgun in Memphis without a valid handgun carry permit; prohibiting carrying, storing, or traveling with a handgun in a vehicle without a valid handgun permit; and making it unlawful to store a firearm or ammunition in a vehicle or boat while not present, unless it is out of plain view and securely locked in the trunk, utility or glove box, or a locked container.

• Memphis, Tennessee, Referendum Ordinance No. 5908, Question 2, “Prohibit the Possession, Carrying, and Sale of Assault Rifles” Amendment (November 2024):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported adopting the following regulations regarding assault weapons: declaring "that the proliferation and use of assault weapons" threaten health, safety, and security; prohibiting "a person to possess or carry, openly or concealed, any assault rifles," with exceptions for those with valid handgun permits and pre-existing owners who passed background checks on private property or at shooting ranges. prohibiting "commercial sale of assault rifles within the City of Memphis," except sales to law enforcement, the U.S. Armed Forces, Tennessee National Guard, and other government agencies.

A "no" vote opposed adopting the following regulations regarding assault weapons: declaring "that the proliferation and use of assault weapons" threaten health, safety, and security; prohibiting "a person to possess or carry, openly or concealed, any assault rifles," with exceptions for those with valid handgun permits and pre-existing owners who passed background checks on private property or at shooting ranges. prohibiting "commercial sale of assault rifles within the City of Memphis," except sales to law enforcement, the U.S. Armed Forces, Tennessee National Guard, and other government agencies.

• Memphis, Tennessee, Referendum Ordinance No. 5908, Question 3, Extreme Risk Protection Orders Amendment (November 2024):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported authorizing courts to issue extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), which restrict someone from possessing or acquiring firearms for a period of time if that person is deemed to pose a significant danger to themselves or others.

A "no" vote opposed authorizing courts to issue extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), which restrict someone from possessing or acquiring firearms for a period of time if that person is deemed to pose a significant danger to themselves or others.

• Memphis, Tennessee, Referendum Ordinance No. 5913, Requirements to Run for Mayor or City Council Amendment (November 2024):  ✔

A "yes" vote supported enacting specific requirements to run for mayor or city council, including: for mayor, a person must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Memphis for at least two years prior to the election, and cannot hold another office or have any direct or indirect interest in contracts with Memphis; and for city council, a person must be at least 18 years old and a resident of Memphis for at least two years prior to the election.

A "no" vote opposed enacting new requirements to run for mayor or city council.

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. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. 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 ballot measure elections in 2024
• Local ballot measures, Tennessee