WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 667

Election Laws - As introduced, increases the time a person may be absent from work to vote, from three hours to four hours. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 8.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Brent Taylor

Tennessee bill extends paid work absence for voting from 3 to 4 hours, aiming to reduce barriers to voter participation among working citizens.

Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee
#electionlaws
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 667

Legislative bill overview

SB 667 extends Tennessee's paid time-off provision for voting by one additional hour, changing the maximum allowable work absence from three to four hours. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee Code Annotated across six titles to implement this change consistently throughout state law.

Why is this important

Voter participation is partly influenced by practical barriers like time constraints. By providing an additional hour, the bill aims to reduce obstacles to voting, particularly for working people in areas with long polling lines or limited polling locations. This addresses a real-world challenge many voters face when balancing employment and civic participation.

Potential points of contention

  • Business impact: Employers argue that even modest increases in paid voting time reduce productivity and create scheduling challenges, particularly for businesses with tight operational margins
  • Practical necessity: Critics question whether one additional hour meaningfully addresses voting access, noting that actual wait times vary dramatically by location and that online/early voting already reduces time constraints
  • Scope and consistency: Amending six different Tennessee Code titles suggests potential complexity in implementation and questions about whether all affected provisions are adequately coordinated

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

Sign in to ask a question.