Tomorrow (Nov. 4th, 2014) is Election Day in Shelby County!
There are four important constitutional amendments on the ballot in Tennessee. The Mid-South Peace & Justice Center supports the Vote No on Amendment 1 and Vote No on Amendment 3 campaigns.
Why VOTE NO on Amendment 1?
Amendment 1 reads:
“Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion. The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother.”
If passed, the amendment would have no immediate effect on abortion in Tennessee. However, lawmakers would have more ability in the future to pass restrictions that the state Supreme Court has previously ruled were unconstitutional. A “yes” vote would give lawmakers this ability. A “no” vote would leave the state constitution unchanged.
Part of what makes Amendment 1 so dangerous is that the language points out that we are handing over ALL decision making power to the government, WITHOUT exceptions for these terrible circumstances. You don’t have to be pro-choice to agree that women and families need the ability to make decisions themselves in tragic moments such as rape, incest or life-threatening disease.
More than 100 Clergy Leaders in Tennessee, and over 30 civil rights leaders in Memphis OPPOSE AMENDMENT ONE. To read more about the Vote No on 1 campaign, visit their website here.
Why VOTE NO on Amendment 3?
Amendment 3 will lead to a double-digit sales tax on food, clothing and other basic needs; local property tax hikes and possibly even a statewide property tax; and damaging cuts to education, environmental protection, child services, transportation, and more.
In a legal sense, Amendment 3 would forever prohibit creation of a state income tax, while ensuring that policymakers can still raise other taxes like the sales tax, property tax, and user fees. In doing so, it virtually guarantees that the next budget shortfall be met with a double-digit sales tax on food and other basic needs, most likely in combination with damaging budget cuts. For more information on the Vote No on 3 campaign, visit their website here.
Amendment 2 would empower the Governor to appoint judges to the State Supreme Court, or any other state court, subject to confirmation by the state legislature. The appointed judge would serve a term of 8 years, and could thereafter serve via a retention election by voters. The Staff of the MSPJC does not have a position on this amendment.
Amendment 4 would allow veteran organizations (classified as 501(c)(19) organizations) to hold lottery-style annual fundraisers, per approval by the state legislature. The Staff of the MSPJC supports the passage of this amendment.
- Polls are open 7am to 7pm. As long as you are in line at a polling site by 7pm, you must be allowed to vote.
- Visit the Shelby County Election Commission website, where you can find where you are supposed to vote, and sample ballot, and other general election information.
- Voter ID is required, so bring your TN Driver’s License, passport, military ID, or any other photo ID from the federal or state government with you. College ID’s and library cards do not count as voter ID. If you do not have one of these forms of ID, you can still request a provisional ballot.
- Some people have reported technical issues with voting machines. Be sure to check your ballot before you submit, to make sure your votes are accurately reflected.