Bill > HB1448

This bill authorizes recall elections for various local elected officials in Tennessee, including members of local legislative bodies, city and county mayors, sheriffs, trustees, registers, clerks, assessors of property, and school board members. To initiate a recall, a registered voter within the official's jurisdiction who voted in the last election must file a petition with the county election commission. This petition requires signatures from at least 66% of the voters who cast a ballot for that office in the last election, and it must state the general grounds for removal. The petition circulator must also provide a sworn affidavit confirming the validity and timeliness of the signatures. The county election commission will then verify the petition's sufficiency within a specific timeframe, allowing for amendments if initially insufficient. If the petition is deemed sufficient, a recall election will be called, where voters within the official's jurisdiction will decide whether to remove the official from office. If a majority votes for recall, the official is removed, and the vacancy will be filled according to existing laws, with the removed official being ineligible to fill the vacancy. Importantly, recall elections cannot be held within 90 days before or after a regular election. The bill also repeals an existing section of Tennessee Code Annotated related to school board members and establishes a new part within Title 8, Chapter 47 to govern the recall process for these local officials.

Government Affairs

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1448&ga=114