Tennessee 2022 ballot measures

Elections in Tennessee, 2022

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Four statewide ballot measures were certified for the 2022 ballot in the state of Tennessee. Voters approved all four measures.

HIGHLIGHTS

Voters approved Amendment 1, which made it illegal for workplaces to require mandatory labor union membership as a condition for employment.

Voters approved Amendment 2, which provided a process and line of succession for the governor if he or she becomes disabled.

Voters approved Amendment 3, which removed language from the Tennessee Constitution that allowed the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as criminal punishments.

Voters approved Amendment 4, which removed a section of the Tennessee Constitution that disqualified religious ministers from being elected to the Tennessee General Assembly.

Tennessee voters have approved 100% of the 11 statewide ballot measures appearing on ballots between 1995-2020. Tennessee last voted on a constitutional amendment in 2014.

On the ballot

Type	Title	Description	Result	Yes Votes	No Votes
LRCA	Amendment 1	Add right-to-work law to state constitution	a	1,141,941 (70%)	494,239 (30%)
LRCA	Amendment 2	Provide process and line of succession for acting governor	a	1,176,297 (75%)	400,109 (25%)
LRCA	Amendment 3	Repeal language allowing slavery or involuntary servitude as criminal punishments	a	1,294,296 (80%)	333,071 (20%)
LRCA	Amendment 4	Remove a constitutional provision stating that religious ministers cannot be elected to the Legislature	a	1,020,981 (63%)	593,461 (37%)

Not on the ballot

Type	Title	Subject	Description	Result
LRCA	Selection of Attorney General Amendment	State Exec	Provides that the legislature confirms the supreme court's appointment of attorney general

Getting measures on the ballot

Citizens

In Tennessee, citizens do not have the power to initiate statewide initiatives or referendums. As of 2022, voters of Tennessee had never voted on a ballot measure to authorize a statewide initiative and referendum process.

Legislature

The Tennessee State Legislature can refer statewide ballot measures, in the form of constitutional amendments, to the ballot for gubernatorial general elections. The Tennessee Constitution requires the legislature to approve a constitutional amendment during two successive legislative sessions with an election in between. However, the constitution provides for two different vote requirements depending on the session. During the first legislative session, the constitutional amendment needs to receive a simple majority (50%+1) vote in each legislative chamber. During the second legislative session, the constitutional amendment needs to receive a two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber. In the state Senate, that amounts to 17 votes during the first session and 22 votes during the second session, assuming no vacancies. In the state House, that amounts to 50 votes during the first session and 66 votes during the second session.

Requirements to refer Tennessee constitutional amendments
Session	Requirement	Senate votes	House votes
First	Simple majority vote	17	50
Second	Two-thirds vote	22	66

Historical facts

See also: List of Tennessee ballot measures and History of Initiative & Referendum in Tennessee

In Tennessee, a total of 11 ballot measures appeared on statewide ballots between 1995 and 2018. Eleven ballot measures were approved, and 0 ballot measures were defeated.

Tennessee statewide ballot measures, 1995-2018
Total number	Annual average	Annual minimum	Annual maximum	Approved		Defeated
				#	%	#	%
11	0.46	0	4	11	100.00	0	0.00

Local ballot measures

See also: Tennessee 2022 local ballot measures

Click here to read more about 2022 local ballot measures in Tennessee.

See also

• 2022 ballot measures
• List of Tennessee ballot measures
• Tennessee Legislature

External links

• Tennessee General Assembly