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HJR 129

General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Urges Mark Goins to resign as the Tennessee coordinator of elections. -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Bo Mitchell

The bill urges Mark Goins to resign as Tennessee Coordinator of Elections to restore public trust in the electoral process.

Action Def. in s/c Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee to First Calendar of 2026
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Bill Summary · HJR 129

Summary — HJR 129 (Tennessee)

Title: A RESOLUTION to urge Mark Goins to resign as Tennessee Coordinator of Elections
Classification: Joint Resolution
Filed/Introduced: February 3, 2025
Sponsor(s): Introduced by Representative Pollitt (current version lists “By Mitchell”)
Status (most recent): Action deferred in Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee to First Calendar of 2026 (3/18/2025)

Purpose / Intent

HJR 129 is a non‑binding joint resolution in which the Tennessee General Assembly formally urges Mark Goins to resign from his positions as Tennessee Coordinator of Elections and as Chairman of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) Standards Board. The resolution cites lapses in oversight tied to validation of a candidate petition that later included admitted forged signatures (an admission dated May 2, 2024) and says these events have undermined public confidence in election administration.

Key provisions

  • States findings about alleged failures in petition verification and the May 2, 2024 admission of forged signatures by a candidate and supporters.
  • Formally urges Mark Goins to resign his role as Tennessee Coordinator of Elections to “restore public trust and reinforce the integrity of the electoral process.”
  • Directs that an appropriate copy of the resolution be prepared and transmitted to the Secretary of State (final clause to be omitted from transmitted copy).

Important: This is an urging/resolution only; it does not create criminal penalties, alter statutory authorities, or remove an official from office.

Who is affected

  • Primary subject: Mark Goins (the individual the resolution urges to resign).
  • Indirectly affected: the Office of the Tennessee Coordinator of Elections, the EAC Standards Board (nationally), and public perceptions of election administration in Tennessee.
  • No direct legal, regulatory, or employment action is authorized by this resolution.

Fiscal impact

The Tennessee Fiscal Review Committee issued a fiscal note (3/13/2025) stating the fiscal impact is “not significant.” Any additional costs (for preparing/transmitting copies) would be negligible.

Procedural timeline & next steps

Key recorded actions:
- 2/03/2025 — Filed/Introduced
- 2/05–2/11/2025 — Committee assignments (State & Local Government; Elections & Campaign Finance subcommittee)
- 3/12/2025 — Placed on subcommittee calendar
- 3/17/2025 — Read first time
- 3/18/2025 — Action deferred in Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee to First Calendar of 2026

If the resolution were adopted by both chambers, it would be a formal, symbolic statement by the General Assembly and a copy would be transmitted as specified (e.g., to the Secretary of State). It would not, however, effectuate removal or compel resignation.

Notes / Observations

  • The record includes an unrelated block of text (language concerning a Missouri constitutional amendment) within the bill documents; this appears to be a clerical or compilation artifact and is not part of the Tennessee resolution’s substantive text.

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

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