WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 1267

Election Laws - As introduced, requires a municipality that adopts an ordinance requiring nonresident property owners to vote by absentee ballot to file such ordinance with the county election commission no later than 75 days, rather than 60 days, before the election. - Amends TCA Title 2 and Title 41.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Tennessee HB 1267 extends the deadline for municipalities to notify county election commissions about nonresident property owner voting requirements from 60 to 75 days before elections.

Placed on s/c cal Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee for 3/17/2026
#electionlaws
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 1267

Legislative bill overview

HB 1267 extends the deadline for municipalities to file ordinances requiring nonresident property owners to vote by absentee ballot with county election commissions from 60 days to 75 days before an election. The bill modifies Tennessee's election code (TCA Title 2 and Title 41) to provide additional preparation time for this administrative requirement.

Why is this important

This change affects the logistics of election administration in Tennessee municipalities, particularly those with significant nonresident property ownership. The extended timeline gives election commissions more advance notice to implement voting procedures for nonresident property owners, potentially reducing administrative bottlenecks and compliance errors during election preparation.

Potential points of contention

  • Eligibility questions: The bill assumes nonresident property owners should have voting restrictions; some may argue property ownership alone should not determine voting location requirements or methods
  • Election security vs. accessibility: Supporters may view mandatory absentee voting for nonresidents as a security measure, while opponents may see it as unnecessarily limiting voting options
  • Administrative burden: Unclear whether the 15-day extension sufficiently addresses real-world implementation challenges, or if it creates a false sense of resolved problems without substantive reform

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

Sign in to ask a question.