Three Amendments. Three Opportunities to Strengthen Tennessee

By Senator Mark Pody, guest columnist

Early voting is currently underway across Tennessee, ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, 2026 Tennesseans have an important opportunity to strengthen our State Constitution and protect the principles that make Tennessee a great place to live, work, raise a family, and retire.

Three proposed constitutional amendments will appear on the ballot. Each addresses a different issue, but together they reflect three fundamental Tennessee values: protecting our communities, protecting taxpayers, and standing with victims of crime.

I encourage every Tennessean to understand these amendments and join me in voting YES on all three.

Amendment 1: Protecting Our Families and Communities

Public safety is one of government’s most fundamental responsibilities. Families deserve to feel safe in their homes, neighborhoods, schools, and businesses.

Amendment 1 would give judges greater authority to deny bail to individuals charged with certain serious crimes, including terrorism, second-degree murder, aggravated rape, and other qualifying serious offenses.

Currently, Tennessee’s Constitution generally guarantees the right to bail except in capital cases. This amendment recognizes that some criminal charges involve circumstances so serious that judges should have additional discretion to protect the public while awaiting trial.

Importantly, this is not an automatic denial of bail. The amendment requires a judicial determination under the constitutional standard that the proof is evident or the presumption great.

Our justice system must protect constitutional rights while recognizing its responsibility to protect innocent citizens.

A YES vote on Amendment 1 strengthens public safety and gives our courts another important tool to protect Tennessee families.

Amendment 2: Protecting Tennessee Property Owners

Tennessee has worked hard to maintain a reputation for responsible government, fiscal discipline, and a favorable tax environment.

Amendment 2 would permanently prohibit a state-level property tax unless voters approve another constitutional change.

Although Tennessee currently has no state property tax, nothing in our Constitution presently prevents a future legislature from creating one.

Think about what that means for homeowners, farmers, retirees, and small-business owners. Many already face rising property values, insurance premiums, and everyday living expenses. The last thing they need is another layer of taxation from Nashville.

This amendment does not eliminate existing local property taxes. Instead, it protects Tennesseans against the possibility of an additional statewide property tax.

Owning a home, maintaining family farmland, or investing in a small business should not come with the uncertainty of a new state property tax.

A YES vote on Amendment 2 protects private property and reinforces Tennessee’s commitment to fiscal responsibility.

Amendment 3: Standing Up for Victims of Crime

For too long, conversations about criminal justice have often centered on offenders while victims and their families struggle to have their voices heard.

Amendment 3 strengthens constitutional protections for crime victims, including rights to information, participation in proceedings, notification concerning an offender’s release, and consideration of victims’ safety.

Victims deserve dignity. They deserve transparency. They deserve to know what is happening throughout the judicial process.

This amendment helps ensure that victims are not forgotten after a crime is committed or a conviction is secured. It also expressly preserves due process protections.

Justice must include compassion and accountability for those whose lives have been forever changed by criminal acts.

A YES vote on Amendment 3 tells victims and their families that Tennessee stands beside them.

Our Constitution. Our Responsibility.

These amendments are not simply legal language on a ballot. They represent decisions about the kind of Tennessee we want to leave our children and grandchildren.

Safer communities. Protection for taxpayers. Stronger rights for crime victims.

These are principles worth defending.

When you cast your ballot, please remember that constitutional amendments require more than a simple majority of those voting on each question. Each must also receive YES votes exceeding half the total votes cast in the governor’s race.

Do not skip these important questions.

I respectfully encourage Tennesseans to vote YES on Amendments 1, 2, and 3.

Together, we can continue building a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Tennessee for generations to come.

State Senator Mark Pody lives in Lebanon and represents the 17th senatorial District.