When Tennesseans enter voting booths this fall, they will see the expected races for governor and state and federal representative. After the list of gubernatorial candidates, they will also see three proposed amendments to the Tennessee Constitution, dealing with bail, property taxes and victims’ rights.
The Banner has already covered the first proposed amendment, which would allow judges to deny bail to individuals accused of terrorism, second-degree murder, aggravated rape, grave torture or any offense that would require that person, if convicted, to serve at least 85 percent of their sentence.
To pass, each amendment must receive more “yes” votes than “no” votes, and the number of “yes” votes it receives must eclipse half of all votes cast in the gubernatorial race.
Some voters have expressed frustration at the circuitous language in each amendment, which can make it hard to realize what a “yes” or “no” vote actually does. In plain English, here’s what the other two amendments will do if enacted after the Nov. 3 election.
Constitutional Amendment Two