TENNESSEE (WATE) — Four proposed constitutional amendments will appear on the Nov. 8, 2022 ballot after the candidates for governor and will be presented as yes or no questions.

See the sample ballot for your county.

Amendments approved by voters will either be added to the Tennessee Constitution or will edit language that already exists within the document. As the basis for law, it is important to know what exactly you’re voting for or against, and understanding what the wording means.

A “yes” vote is a vote to amend the Constitution and adopt the proposed language in the amendment that is printed on the ballot. You should read the entire portion so that you see the word-for-word proposal as it will appear in the constitution.

If you don’t agree with the change proposed, a “no” vote is a vote not to amend the Constitution and to keep the current language as it now exists in the constitution.

An amendment passes if the majority of votes are in favor.

Proposed Amendment #1

This amendment, if passed, 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.”

The question on the ballot will say, “Shall Article XI of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by adding the following language as a new section?”

Tennessee has been a right-to-work state since 1947. This means that employees can be part of a union, or not. This amendment would make it illegal for workplaces to require mandatory labor union membership for employees as a condition of employment. The amendment was sponsored by Sen. Briand Kelsey (R)

Proposed Amendment #2

This amendment would add 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.

The question on the ballot will say, “Shall Article III, Section 12 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by adding the following language immediately following the current language in the Section?” 

This amendment has bipartisan support. If the governor were to pass away, there is a succession line established. However, nothing is in place if the governor were to become incapacitated. This amendment would assign the responsibility to the Speaker of the Senate. Today, that would be Lt. Gov. Randy McNally (R- Oak Ridge).

Proposed Amendment #3

This amendment would change the current language which says 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 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.”

The question on the ballot will say, “Shall Article I, Section 33 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by deleting the section and substituting instead the following?”

Approval by voters would permanently close every door for slavery in the state, supporters say.

Proposed 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.

The question on the ballot will say, “Shall Article IX, Section 1 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by deleting the section?”

The section up for deleting prohibits religious officials from taking office in the Tennessee Senate or House of Representatives. The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the law in the 1970s, but it was never taken off the Tennessee law books. Now it will be, if a majority of votes approve.

For more information about the 2022 Proposed Constitutional Amendments, visit sos.tn.gov/amendments.