Tennessee House Bill HB1020

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/23
• Refer: 2/2/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, relative to elections.

Impact

If enacted, HB1020 would directly impact election procedures within the state of Tennessee. By instituting a standard for hand counting and record-keeping during elections, the bill would amend existing practices related to how elections are conducted. This could lead to a significant change in the operational procedures at polling places and throughout the electoral process, ensuring greater accountability and oversight regarding the accuracy of election results.

Summary

House Bill 1020 aims to amend Tennessee Code Annotated by introducing a requirement for judicial counting of ballots during elections. The primary objective of the bill is to enhance the integrity of the electoral process by ensuring transparency in how votes are counted. Specifically, it mandates that judges must hand count the ballots and record the total number of ballots counted, which must be verified against the tally sheets. This amendment emphasizes the importance of accuracy in ballot counting and promotes public confidence in electoral outcomes.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB1020 is anticipated to be generally positive among those advocating for electoral reform and increased transparency. Supporters of the bill likely view it as a crucial step in restoring voter confidence, particularly in a time where skepticism surrounding election integrity has been prevalent. However, there may be some skepticism related to the feasibility and efficiency of implementing hand counting on a larger scale, carrying with it concerns about potential delays in reporting election results.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding HB1020 may revolve around the practicality of hand counting ballots, especially in high-turnout elections. Critics may argue that the required procedures could lead to longer processing times and the potential for human error during the counting process. Additionally, there may be discussions surrounding the overall costs and resources required to implement such a system statewide. The balance between enhancing election integrity and maintaining efficiency in the electoral process will likely be a central theme in the ongoing debate about the bill.