Constitutional Amendment 1: Remove the Right to Bail for Certain Serious Felonies
My vote power
Above average
Election date
November 3, 2026
Constitutional Amendment 1: Remove the Right to Bail for Certain Serious Felonies is a ballot measure in Tennessee on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Lets judges deny bail before trial to people charged with murder, aggravated rape, terrorism, grave torture, capital crimes, or any felony that requires serving 85% of the sentence, when the evidence is strong. Judges must state their reasons on the record; no cost to you.
How do we calculate my vote power?
What determines the vote power rating for ballot measures: Representation: how much weight one vote carries here compared with a statewide vote — the smaller the district, the more each vote counts. You have more power in ballot measures because you vote directly on the policy.
Representation: Average · 50 out of 100
This district covers a large share of its state, so each vote carries about average weight — like a vote in a statewide race. About 7,066,383 people live here.
Show the representation math
score = 50 + 50 × ln(state population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(50,000) = 50 + 50 × ln(7,066,383 ÷ 7,066,383) ÷ ln(50,000) = 50, measured against a statewide vote in TN (grades: 66+ high, 55+ above average, 33+ average, otherwise low; a statewide race is the 50 baseline)
Average representation + a direct vote on the policy → My vote power: Above average.
What does this measure do?
Lets judges deny bail before trial to people charged with murder, aggravated rape, terrorism, grave torture, capital crimes, or any felony that requires serving 85% of the sentence, when the evidence is strong. Judges must state their reasons on the record; no cost to you.
Read the official ballot measure (PDF)
A YES vote means
Courts could hold defendants charged with those serious felonies without bail when the evidence is strong, and must explain each bail decision on the record.
A NO vote means
Everyone except capital-offense defendants keeps the right to bail, as now.
Sources: sos.tn.gov · ballotpedia.org · tennesseelookout.com
Last updated September 24, 2026.