AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, relative to elections.
Summary
SB1228 amends Tennessee election law to require county election commissions to post or otherwise make available certain election-related information at least 30 days before an election, rather than the current 25-day deadline. The bill makes a narrow timing change within Title 2 of the Tennessee Code Annotated and does not create a new program or alter voter eligibility, ballot access, or election administration structures beyond the updated deadline.
In practical terms, the bill would give the public and election administrators an additional five days of advance notice for the covered election information. Because the measure takes effect immediately upon becoming law, it would apply as soon as enacted. The bill failed in the Senate State and Local Government Committee on a 3-5 vote, so it did not advance through committee.
Impact
The bill would amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 2-6-103(c), by extending a statutory deadline from 25 days to 30 days before an election. This changes the timing requirements for election-related postings or notices governed by that section, affecting election officials and potentially voters who rely on those notices for election information.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests limited support in committee, with the bill failing 3-5 in the Senate State and Local Government Committee. No transcript discussion is available, so the record shows only that the proposal did not generate enough support to move forward, rather than any detailed debate or consensus.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to have been whether election officials should be required to provide the covered information five days earlier than current law. Supporters likely viewed the change as a modest improvement in notice and transparency, while opponents may have seen it as an unnecessary administrative adjustment or a change that was not sufficiently justified. Because there are no committee transcripts, the specific arguments and sponsors of each position are not documented in the provided record.