The story: When Lakeland voters head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3, they’ll find three proposed changes to the Tennessee Constitution on the ballot. They’re listed right after the governor’s race, and each one is a simple yes-or-no question. Here’s the plain-English version.

Amendment 1: Bail

  • What it does: Right now, the constitution says everyone can get bail before trial except people charged with capital (death-penalty) offenses “when the proof is evident, or the presumption great.” This amendment would let judges also deny bail before trial in cases of an act of terrorism, second degree murder, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated rape, grave torture, and any other crime where a convicted person would have to serve at least 85% of the sentence. The same “proof is evident or the presumption great” standard still applies. Judges would have to put their reasons for granting or denying bail in those cases on the record.
  • A YES vote means: You want to expand the list of charges where bail can be denied and require judges to explain those decisions.
  • A NO vote means: You want to keep the current rule, where only capital offenses can be denied bail.

Amendment 2: No state property tax

  • What it does: Adds language saying the Legislature “shall not levy, authorize, or otherwise permit any state tax upon” real, personal or mixed property. The text bans a state property tax. It doesn’t mention city or county property taxes.
  • A YES vote means: You want the constitution to ban a state property tax.
  • A NO vote means: You want to leave that section of the constitution as it is.

Amendment 3: Crime victims’ rights

  • What it does: Replaces the constitution’s current crime victims’ rights section with a longer list of 13 rights. According to the Attorney General’s summary, the new rights include fair treatment, taking part in the parole process, protection from harassment and abuse, being told the offender’s minimum sentence and release date, and having safety considered before any parole or release decision. It keeps or clarifies existing rights, such as being notified of court dates and being present at proceedings. The amendment says it doesn’t limit the powers of prosecutors or courts and doesn’t let anyone sue the state for damages.
  • A YES vote means: You want to replace the current victims’ rights section with the expanded list.
  • A NO vote means: You want to keep the current victims’ rights section unchanged.

How passage works (it’s a two-part test): An amendment passes only if:

  1. It gets more yes votes than no votes, and
  2. Its yes votes total more than half of all votes cast in the governor’s race.

So skipping an amendment isn’t the same as staying neutral. If you vote for governor but leave an amendment blank, it gets harder for that amendment to pass.

How to vote in Lakeland:

  • When: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Where: On Election Day you must vote at your assigned polling place. Look it up on the Shelby County Election Commission’s polling location page or at GoVoteTN.gov.
  • Bring: A federal or Tennessee state photo ID, such as a Tennessee driver’s license or a U.S. passport. Expired IDs work, with an exception for some first-time voters. College IDs and out-of-state IDs don’t count. If you forget your ID, you can cast a provisional ballot and bring your ID to an Election Commission office within two business days.

Lakeland’s ballot also includes the races for mayor, city commission and school board. Here’s our rundown.

Sources: Tennessee Secretary of State: 2026 Proposed Constitutional Amendments (official ballot language and Attorney General summaries); Shelby County Election Commission official sample ballot, Nov. 3, 2026; SCEC voting information; SCEC voter ID requirements; Tennessee Secretary of State voter ID guide.

Photo: Kaldari / Wikimedia Commons (public domain). Shows the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville. Resized and set on a blurred fill.