Published: 9/20/2022

THIS NOVEMBER TENNESSEE VOTERS WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE TO AMEND THE TN CONSTITUTION TO ALLOW FOR A CLEARER TRANSFER OF POWER IN SITUATIONS WHERE THE GOVERNOR IS UNABLE TO PERFORM THEIR DUTIES. THOUGH THE TENNESSEE CONSTITUTION INDICATES THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR (OR SENATE LEADER) WOULD TAKE ON THE GOVERNOR’S SEAT IF THE GOVERNOR DIED WHILE IN OFFICE - THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR ILLNESS OR TEMPORARY INCAPACITATION. IN FACT, TENNESSEE IS THE ONLY STATE IN THE UNION WITHOUT THIS TYPE OF PLAN IN PLACE. AN INITIATIVE WILL BE ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER: AMENDMENT 2. THE AMENDMENT WOULD LAY OUT POLICY FOR TRANSFER OF POWER AND WOULD GIVE THE LT. GOVERNOR THE POWER TO ASSUME THE ROLE IF THE GOVERNOR CANNOT. IF THE GOVERNOR HAS A PLANNED MEDICAL PROCEDURE THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO CHANGE POWERS IN WRITING, AND IN CASES OF UNPLANNED EMERGENCIES THE CABINET WOULD INFORM THE LT. GOVERNOR. SENATOR BECKY MASSEY FROM KNOXVILLE CO-SPONSORED THE BILL AND NOTED, “IN THE UNUSUAL EVENT THE STATE’S HIGHEST ELECTED OFFICIAL IS TEMPORARILY UNABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE OFFICE, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE STABILITY OF OUR STATE THAT TENNESSEE’S CONSTITUTION LAYS OUT A CLEAR PATH FOR THE TRANSFER OF POWER.”