Bill > SB7001

This bill establishes new procedures for the 2026 congressional elections in Tennessee, specifically if the boundaries of congressional districts are changed after the initial candidate qualifying deadline. It requires the state's coordinator of elections to notify candidates and county election commissions about any revised districts and a new, special deadline for candidates to qualify or change their intended district, which is May 15, 2026. Candidates who had already qualified before the district changes are generally allowed to remain qualified in the district with the same number, but they have the option to switch to a different redrawn district by the special deadline. New candidates will need to gather at least 25 signatures from voters within the relevant congressional district. The bill also outlines how county election commissions will be reimbursed for costs associated with these changes and specifies that any legal challenges to district revisions or the application of this new law will be handled by a three-judge panel. Importantly, this new part of the law will be repealed on December 31, 2026, and it exempts the 2026 primary election for U.S. Representative from certain existing election laws.