Tennessee House Bill HB1897

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/24
• Refer: 1/25/24
• Refer: 2/7/24
• Refer: 2/13/24
• Engrossed: 2/27/24
• Enrolled: 3/1/24
• Passed: 3/15/24
• Chaptered: 3/26/24

Caption

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

Impact

The implications of HB 1897 are significant for the administration of elections in Tennessee. By enforcing the automatic disqualification of election administrators who become candidates, the bill intends to mitigate conflicts of interest and enhance the integrity of the electoral process. Additionally, by mandating the recusal of administrators when a family member is on the ballot, it seeks to reinforce public confidence in the fairness of elections, ensuring that those overseeing the electoral process do not have personal stakes in the outcomes.

Summary

House Bill 1897, aims to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, primarily focusing on the disqualification of election administrators who aspire to run for public office. Under this bill, an election administrator is automatically disqualified from continuing in their role if they qualify as a candidate for public office while serving. Furthermore, if an immediate family member of the administrator is on the ballot, the administrator is required to recuse themselves from their official duties at least thirty days prior to the election.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 1897 appears to be supportive, with advocates arguing that the legislation is a necessary step to maintain transparency and fairness in the electoral system. There is a general consensus that preventing election administrators from being candidates or having conflicts of interest strengthens the democratic process. However, there might be concerns raised by those who view this bill as an overregulation that could unnecessarily limit the pool of candidates for public office, particularly in local contexts where the number of qualified individuals may be limited.

Contention

While there seems to be general support for the intent of HB 1897, points of contention may arise regarding its broad application. Critics may argue that such disqualifications could dissuade qualified individuals from seeking office due to fears of automatic disqualification. Additionally, the definitions of 'immediate family member' and the specific timeline for recusal could lead to debates about how strictly these measures should be enforced, especially in smaller communities where familial connections are more common.