Tennessee’s Three Constitutional Amendments

The Attorney General’s summary

The question on your ballot, word for word

Shall Article I, Section 15 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by deleting the following:

That all prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient sureties, unless for capital offences, when the proof is evident, or the presumption great. And the privilege of the writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in case of rebellion or invasion, the General Assembly shall declare the public safety requires it.

and substituting instead the following:

(a) All prisoners shall be bailable by sufficient sureties unless for the following when the proof is evident or the presumption great:

1. (1) A capital offense;
2. (2) An act of terrorism;
3. (3) Second degree murder;
4. (4) Aggravated rape of a child;
5. (5) Aggravated rape;
6. (6) Grave torture; and
7. (7) Any other offense for which, as of November 3, 2026, a defendant, if convicted, could not be released prior to the expiration of at least eighty-five percent of the entire sentence imposed.

(b) In any case in which bail for an offense listed in subsection (a) is granted or denied before conviction, the judge or magistrate shall place in the record the judge's or magistrate's reasons for granting or denying bail.

(c) The privilege of the writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in case of rebellion or invasion, the General Assembly shall declare the public safety requires it.

☐ Yes☐ No

The Attorney General’s summary

The question on your ballot, word for word

Shall Article I, Section 35 of the Constitution of Tennessee be amended by deleting the section in its entirety and substituting the following:

Section 35. That to preserve and protect the rights of victims of crime to justice and due process throughout the criminal and juvenile justice systems, a victim, as defined by law and which may be expanded by the General Assembly, shall have the following rights, which shall be protected:

1. (1) The right to be treated with fairness for the victim's safety and dignity;
2. (2) The right, upon request, to reasonable notice of all public criminal proceedings and all public juvenile delinquency proceedings involving the accused;
3. (3) The right to be present at all public criminal proceedings and all public juvenile delinquency proceedings involving the accused;
4. (4) The right upon request to be heard in any proceeding involving release, plea, sentencing, disposition, and parole, as well as any public proceeding when relevant during which a right of the victim is implicated;
5. (5) The right to be heard and informed of all parole procedures, to participate in the parole process, to provide information to the parole authority to be considered before the parole of the offender, and to be notified, upon request, of the parole or other release of the offender;
6. (6) The right to be free from harassment, intimidation, and abuse throughout the criminal justice system, including reasonable protection, as defined by the General Assembly, from the accused or any person acting on behalf of the accused;
7. (7) The right, upon request, to reasonable notice of any release, transfer, or escape of the accused or convicted person;
8. (8) The right to full and timely restitution from the offender;
9. (9) The right to a speedy trial or disposition and a prompt and final conclusion of the case after the conviction or sentence;
10. (10) The right to be informed of the minimum sentence the offender will serve in custody and the scheduled release date;
11. (11) The right to have the safety of the victim, the victim's family, and the general public considered before any parole or other post-judgment release decision is made;
12. (12) The right, upon request, to confer with the prosecution; and
13. (13) The right to be fully informed of all rights afforded to crime victims.

A victim may assert the rights enumerated in this section, not as a party, but in the manner further provided by the General Assembly protecting the victim's right to standing. The General Assembly has the authority to enact substantive and procedural laws to further define, implement, preserve, and protect the rights guaranteed to victims by this section. This section must be interpreted to preserve and protect the rights of all persons to due process. This section, or any law enacted under this section, does not create a basis for vacating a conviction. This section does not restrict the powers of the District Attorney General or the inherent authority of the court.

Other than as provided in the preceding paragraph, this section does not create a cause of action or claim for damages against the state or a political subdivision of the state; an officer, employee, or agent of the state or of any of its political subdivisions; or an officer or employee of the court.

☐ Yes☐ No