Amendments prompt voter confusion

By: Bill Grubb, Source: The Rogersville Review
November 3, 2006

ROGERSVILLE — At least one of the two constitutional amendments on the November 7 ballot has some voters asking questions, according to State Senator Micheal Williams.

Williams (R-Maynardville) represents the fourth district, which includes Hawkins County.

“One of the proposals, the definition of marriage amendment, is apparently causing confusion. Several constituents have called and asked for an explanation,” Williams said.

The state senator offered the following explanation, while stressing “however you vote is your decision.”

If you vote yes for the amendment, you desire that marriage be defined only as the union of one man and one woman,” Williams explained.

The text of the amendment states:

Shall Article XI of the Constitution of the State of Tennessee be amended by adding the following language as a new, appropriately designated section.

The historical institution and legal contract solemnizing the relationship of one man and one woman shall be the only legally recognized marital contract in this state.

Any policy or law or judicial interpretation, purporting to define marriage as anything other than the historical institution and legal contract between one man and one woman, is contrary to the public policy of this state and shall be void and unenforceable in Tennessee. If another state or foreign jurisdiction issues a license for persons to marry and if such marriage is prohibited in this state by the provisions of this section, then the marriage shall be void and unenforceable in this state.

The second item is a proposed constitutional amendment enabling local governments the option of freezing property taxes for qualifying seniors.

“This is a complex issue, involving an Amendment to the Tennessee Constitution,” State Senator Mark Norris (R - Collierville) said. “It is important that we create opportunities for senior citizens to keep their homes later in life. Home is where the heart is, and we don't want issues of affordability to force folks out.”

During an October budget workshop session Hawkins County Trustee Patsy Charles Courtney shared her concern with county commissioners that the tax freeze plan, while it has good intentions, would be a bookkeeping nightmare.

“They are talking about freezing the amount of taxes a homeowner pays when they turn 65. I wouldn’t even have a clue how many people in Hawkins County turn 65 each year, but every time someone does you would have to take that into account,” Courtney said.

Amendments

The trustee warned the proposal would have the effect of creating multiple tax rates for the county and every city in the county, especially when tax rates are increased.

“You will have rates going up on some residents and staying the same on others all the time. I don’t see how the county would be able to do a budget because it would be impossible to come up with revenues,” Courtney said.

According to the state election commission, in order for the amendment to pass and become part of the Constitution, two things must happen:

•The amendment must get more “yes”votes than “no” votes; and

•The number of “yes” votes must be a majority of the votes cast in the gubernatorial election.

To determine the votes needed, all votes for all candidates for governor are added together. This number is divided by two or halved. The number of “yes”votes must exceed that number. If the number of “yes” votes exceeds the number, the Constitutional amendment passes and becomes part of the Constitution.

Election officials stress despite the fact that the number of votes cast for governor is used to determine the outcome, it is not necessary to vote in the governor’s race in order to vote on the amendments. Likewise, it is not necessary to vote for an amendment in order to vote in the governor’s race.

Mark Norris Official Web Site

Mark Norris Personal Web Site

Tennesse Senate Republican Caucus

Senator Mark Norris
303 War Memorial Building,
Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0232
Phone 615-741-1967
1-800-449-8366

Email: Sen. Mark Norris