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SB 799

Election Laws - As enacted, generally requires statewide political parties to nominate their candidates in primary elections for all offices for which partisan elections are held at the regular August or regular November election; authorizes, in a county in which a statewide political party nominated a candidate by a method other than a primary election in 2022 or 2024, the statewide political party in such county to continue to use such method with certain exceptions. - Amends TCA Title 2.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Tennessee now requires statewide parties to use primary elections for candidate nominations, except in counties that used alternative methods in 2022-2024, creating variable nomination processes statewide.

Pub. Ch. 259
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Bill Summary · SB 799

Legislative bill overview

SB 799 requires Tennessee statewide political parties to nominate candidates through primary elections for all partisan offices in regular August or November elections. However, it grandfathers in counties where parties used alternative nomination methods (such as conventions) in 2022 or 2024, allowing those counties to continue using those methods with certain restrictions.

Why is this important

This law standardizes candidate selection processes across the state while preserving existing practices in some counties, affecting how Tennesseans participate in nominating partisan candidates. The grandfather clause creates a two-tiered nomination system that could result in different candidate selection processes depending on county location.

Potential points of contention

  • Inconsistent nomination procedures: Voters in some counties will use primary elections while others use alternative methods, creating unequal access to the nomination process across Tennessee
  • Grandfathering ambiguity: The "certain exceptions" language is undefined in the bill summary, leaving unclear which alternative methods are actually permitted or what restrictions apply
  • Party autonomy vs. state mandate: The requirement may conflict with political parties' traditional freedom to determine their own nomination processes, raising questions about state regulation of private party affairs

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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