What’s On The November Ballot?

After an eventful summer of elections, we’re now entering the home stretch. The November election is only six weeks away so let’s take a look at what is on the ballot.

CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT

The November ballot contains four categories of candidates.

• Governor of Tennessee (4-year term)
• U.S. House of Representatives (2-year term)
• Tennessee Senate (4-year term, odd numbered districts up for election)
• Tennessee House of Representatives (2-year term)

The Secretary of State’s website has a list of candidates appearing on the ballot. Here are a few key dates relating to the November election:

• Election Day in-person November 8, 2022
• Early voting Oct. 19 - Nov. 3
• Register to vote In-person at local election office by Oct. 11
• Register to vote Online by Oct. 11
• Register to vote by mail (postmarked by) Oct. 11
• Absentee voting request ballot (received by) Nov. 1
• Absentee voting return ballot by mail (received by) Nov. 8

AMENDMENTS ON THE BALLOT

There are four Constitutional Amendments on this year’s November ballot. Two things must happen in order for any of the amendments to be affirmed and change the Tennessee Constitution. First, the amendment must get more yes votes than no votes. Second, the number of yes votes must also be a majority of the total votes in the gubernatorial election. Here are the four Amendments as outlined by the Tennessee Attorney General’s office:

1. RIGHT TO WORK

Voting yes on this amendment will make it illegal for any person, corporation, association, or the State of Tennessee or its political subdivisions to deny or attempt to deny employment to any person because of the person’s membership in, affiliation with, resignation from, or refusal to join or affiliate with any labor union or employee organization. (More Info)

Learn more about “Right To Work”:

• Listen to The Pamphleteer Podcast interview with Ron Shultis of the Beacon Center.
• Visit the "Vote Yes On 1" website.

2. POWERS AND DUTIES DURING GOVERNOR DISABILITY

This amendment allows the temporary exercise of the powers and duties of the governor by the Speaker of the Senate—or the Speaker of the House if there is no Speaker of the Senate in office—when the governor is unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office of governor. (More Info)

3. DELETING THE TERMS “SLAVERY” AND “INVOLUNTARY SERVITUDE” FROM THE CONSTITUTION

This amendment would replace the language in the current Tennessee Constitution with the following language: “Slavery and involuntary servitude are forever prohibited. Nothing in this section shall prohibit an inmate from working when the inmate has been duly convicted of a crime.” (More Info)

4. ALLOWING MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL AND PRIESTS TO SERVE IN THE TENNESSEE HOUSE AND SENATE

This amendment will delete the language in the Tennessee Constitution which prohibits ministers of the gospel and priests of any denomination from holding a seat in either House of the legislature. (More Info)

***Voting in the affirmative on an amendment will be a vote to put it into effect. Voting no will leave the constitution as-is.