As of May 2018, Tennessee officially Recognized Two Ballot Qualified Political Parties, the Democratic and Republican Parties. In some States, a Candidate may choose to have a Label other than that of an Officially Recognized Party appear Alongside their Name on the Ballot. Such Labels are called Political Party Designations. Tennessee does Not allow Candidates to use Political Party Designations.
To become a Recognized Minor Party at the Statewide Level, or by Legislative District, or within a Single County, involves the same process in each aspect, except for the Actual Number of Signatures needed on the Petition and the manner in which to maintain Recognition as a Minor Party. In each instance, the Petition must be Signed by Registered Voters of the respective Jurisdiction. The Number of Valid Signatures must be Equal to at least Two and a Half Percent (2.5%) of the Total Number of Votes Cast for All gubernatorial Candidates in the most recent Election for Governor within the relevant Jurisdiction.
The Name of the Minor Party shall Not be, or include, the Name, or any Word forming any part of the Name, of any Statewide Political Party currently in existence. Also, the Name of the Minor Party shall not include the word “independent” or “nonpartisan.” If the Name of the Minor Party includes any Prohibited Word, then the Coordinator of Elections shall Redact that Portion of the Minor Party Name and only use that portion of the Minor Party Name which remains.
A Bill requiring Tennessee Voters to Declare their Party Affiliation in order to Vote in a Primary Election hit a Major Hurdle Wednesday after a House Committee Rejected it.
Democrats and Republicans on the House Local Committee joined forces to overwhelmingly Reject the Bill from Rep. Andy Holt (R-76th District, Dresden).
The Legislation, (HB 1273 / SB 1500), would have forced Voters to Choose between being Registered as a Democrat, Republican, Unaffiliated with a Statewide Party, or other in order to cast a Primary Ballot. If a Voter chose Unaffiliated, they would be Unable to Vote in any Primary Elections, creating a Closed Primary.
After a significant Discussion on the Merits of the Bill, the Committee Rejected the Proposal with a 14-2 vote. Reps. Mike Carter (R-29th District, Ooltewah) and Tim Rudd (R-34th District, Murfreesboro) cast the only votes in favor.
The Committee's Action came despite Holt saying he wanted to Delay Action on the Bill,
A dangerous place for us to go, as the Committee considered the Bill, Holt was quickly faced with Opposition from One of his Republican Colleagues. Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-11th District, Cosby), said the Measure would make Tennessee Politics more Partisan and limit People’s Ability to Run for Office outside of being Affiliated with the Two Major Political Parties. “This is a dangerous place for us to go,” Faison later said.
As he had previously, Holt explained his Bill was aimed at ensuring that only “Bona Fide” Members of a Political Party Vote in a Primary Election. At one point he equated Primary Elections to an Internal Family Discussion.
Carter said Primaries are little more than a “Recommendation,” with the Executive Committee of the State’s Political Parties ultimately deciding their Nominees for General Elections.
“We are not talking about an election,” he said, referring to Primaries.
Rep. London Lamar (D-91st District, Memphis), expressed concern that Holt’s Legislation would Depress Voter Turnout. She also noted that the Sponsor had Not asked the Democratic Party for their Position on the Bill.
Rudd, who is Sponsoring his Own Party Registration Legislation, said the Current System was “making a mockery of our democracy.”
Gov. Bill Lee and former Gov. Bill Haslam were among the Opponents of the Legislation.
The Proposal arose after the State Republican Party's State Executive Committee Approved a Resolution in December 2018 calling for Closed Primaries.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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