Tennessee ballot measures 2026, explained
3 statewide measures on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Each one in plain words: what it does, what a yes and a no vote mean, and the best case on both sides. No recommendations.
Your Tennessee ballot, in order. Tap a measure for the full explainer.
Amendment 1Constitutional amendment
Deny bail for serious crimes
This would let judges keep some people in jail before trial for more serious charges. Today, most people can be released on bail before trial.
- Yes vote
- Judges could deny bail for listed serious offenses when the proof is evident or the presumption is great, and would have to state their reasons.
- No vote
- The constitution would continue allowing bail to be denied generally only in capital cases when the proof is evident or the presumption is great.
Amendment 2Constitutional amendment
Ban state property taxes
Tennessee does not currently charge a state property tax, although cities and counties can charge local property taxes. This would put a permanent ban in the constitution, like locking a door that is already closed.
- Yes vote
- The constitution would prohibit the legislature from imposing, authorizing, or permitting a state property tax.
- No vote
- The legislature would keep its current power to create a state property tax in the future.
Amendment 3Constitutional amendment
Expand crime victims’ rights
This would replace Tennessee’s current list of crime-victim rights with a longer list, including more notice and chances to speak. It is like moving rules from a note that can be changed easily into the school’s main rulebook.
- Yes vote
- Replacing the current constitutional victims’ rights list with broader rights in criminal and juvenile cases.
- No vote
- Tennessee’s current constitutional list of crime-victim rights would remain.
How sure is this guide?
Where the four AIs disagreed
ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Grok each researched Tennessee's ballot on their own, with web search. The score is how closely their answers matched. Where they split, check the official voter guide before you trust either side.
60/ 100Partial agreement
Amendment 1 scope
- GPT-5.6 Terra: Includes offenses subject to the 85-percent sentence rule.
- Claude Sonnet 5.5: Lists examples of serious crimes; does not explain the 85-percent category.
- Gemini 3.8 Flash: Describes specified violent crimes and says bail remains guaranteed otherwise.
- Grok 4.5: Includes named offenses and the broader 85-percent sentence category.
Amendment 3 effect and costs
- GPT-5.6 Terra: Replaces the current rights list; no official cost estimate found.
- Claude Sonnet 5.5: Clarifies existing rights and adds new ones; implementation cost undetermined.
- Gemini 3.8 Flash: Adds protections; local implementation costs not estimated.
- Grok 4.5: Replaces the current list with 13 rights; answer is truncated before completion.
Named supporters
- Claude Sonnet 5.5: Names Jack Johnson as Amendment 1 supporter.
- Gemini 3.8 Flash: Names different supporters for all three amendments.
- Grok 4.5: Names several groups supporting Amendments 1 and 2.
Before you vote
This guide was written by AI models with web search and does not tell you how to vote. Details can be wrong: your sample ballot and Tennessee's official voter guide are the final word.
Still have a question?
A local measure, or what this ballot means for your taxes or job? See where four AIs agree.