WMC-TV Examines Tennessee’s Three Proposed Constitutional Amendments, Including Controversial Bail Measure
In a television news story, WMC-TV (NBC Memphis) examined three proposed changes to Tennessee’s constitution, including the controversial Amendment One, which would expand judges’ authority to deny pretrial bail for certain serious offenses. State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, a Republican who sponsored the measure, argued that it would help protect communities from potentially dangerous offenders. However, State Representative Vincent Dixie, a Democrat, opposed the proposal, warning that it could worsen jail overcrowding and increase taxpayer costs. Dixie also argued that changes to pretrial bail policies should be addressed through legislation rather than permanently written into the state constitution.
The report also examined Amendment Two, which would prohibit state property taxes, and Amendment Three, which would expand constitutional protections for crime victims. Early voting began October 14, with Election Day scheduled for November 3.
Below is an excerpt from the new story as well as a link to the full TV segment.
TENNESSEE VOTERS TO DECIDE FATE OF 3 PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Early voting begins Wednesday, with constitutional proposals addressing pretrial bail, state property taxes and crime victims’ rights on the ballot.
By Kaitlyn Miller
Published: Oct. 13, 2026 at 4:33 PM PDT
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Tennessee voters will have three proposed constitutional amendments to consider as early voting begins Wednesday, including a measure that would expand judges’ authority to deny pretrial bail for certain serious crimes.
AMENDMENT ONE
Amendment One has sparked debate among lawmakers over public safety, jail overcrowding and taxpayer costs.
The proposal would allow judges to deny bail to people charged with second-degree murder, aggravated rape, terrorism and other qualifying offenses carrying a requirement to serve at least 85% of a sentence, if convicted.
Judges would be required to explain their decisions on the record.
State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, a Republican and one of the amendment’s sponsors, says the change would give judges another tool to protect communities from potentially violent offenders.
“Under the current system, no matter how much of a threat the judge believes that individual is to a community, they still have to give them bail,” Senator Johnson said.
But State Representative Vincent Dixie, a Democrat, argues the issue should be addressed through policy rather than by changing the state constitution.
“This is better addressed as a policy, not written into our Constitution,” Rep. Dixie said. “The Constitution should be a guiding light, a steady hand that everyone agrees with.”
The lawmakers also disagree about the proposal’s potential impact on jail populations and public spending.
Rep. Dixie warns that expanding the circumstances in which bail can be denied could worsen jail overcrowding and increase costs for taxpayers.
