(RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TENN.) Tuesday is Election Day, Rutherford Countians will be faced with several state Constitutional amendments to vote on. Tennesseans will head to the polls to take part in the democratic process across the Volunteer State.  Voters will decide whether Bill Lee will hold onto the position of governor and will also elect nine candidates to serve in the US House. 

Rutherford County Election Administrator Alan Farley says there are four amendments for voters to consider: 

If you'd like to learn more about the amendments and hear an explanation - in layman's terms - check WGNSRadio.com. Chip Walters on the Wednesday WGNS Roundtable program had Farley and Chris Davis, a reporter for NewsChannel 5 on the air as guests. Davis breaks down each of the amendments in a way that might be easier for voters to understand. 
 
Summary of Amendment #1: This amendment would add a new section to article XI of the Tennessee Constitution to 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.

Summary of Amendment #2: This amendment would add to article III, section 12 of the Tennessee Constitution a process for 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. While a Speaker is temporarily discharging the powers and duties of the governor, the Speaker would not be required to resign as Speaker or to resign as a member of the legislature; but the Speaker would not be able to preside as Speaker or vote as a member of the legislature. A Speaker who is temporarily discharging the powers and duties of the governor would not get the governor’s salary but would get the Speaker’s salary. The amendment would also exempt a Speaker who is temporarily discharging the powers and duties of the governor from provisions in the Constitution that would otherwise prohibit the Speaker from exercising the powers of the governor and from simultaneously holding more than one state office.

Summary of Amendment #3: This amendment would change the current language in article I, section 33 of the Tennessee Constitution, which says that slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a person who has been duly convicted of crime, are forever prohibited in this State. The amendment would delete this current language and replace it 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.”

Summary of Amendment #4: This amendment would delete article IX, section 1 of the Tennessee Constitution, which prohibits ministers of the gospel and priests of any denomination from holding a seat in either House of the legislature.

In addition to the Amendment's, another big item on this November's ballot is the seat for Governor in the State General Election, along with the Tennessee House of Representatives race throughout Rutherford County. Incumbent Representatives in the House race include Tim Rudd (R - 34th District), Charlie Baum (37th District), Bryan Terry (48th District) and Mike Sparks (49th District). All four are under the Republican ticket.

Running against the four incumbents for House seats are Democrats Laura Bohling (34th), Bill Levine (37th), Matt Ferry (48th), and Morgan Woodberry (49th).

New to the process is Republican Robert Stevens, who is running for the newly created District 13 seat in the House of Representatives. Stevens is running against Jeff Crum, a Democrat.

In the Tennessee Senate, Republican Dawn White is seeking re-election in District 13. She is running against Democrat Kelly Northcutt.

Early Voting is underway now and runs up to November 3rd. Election Day is on November 8th.

You can learn more about this year’s election and find out where you can vote by visiting the Rutherford County Election Commission website, or by finding this story on WGNSradio.com, where you can read a summary of each of the 4 amendments.

Need Contact Details?  
Rutherford County Election Commision 
Phone: 615-898-7743
Fax: 615-217-7144
• election@rutherfordcountytn.gov 

Rutherford County Election Office: 
1 South Side Square, Suite 103
Murfreesboro, TN 37130