TennesseeCounty election officials may set aside restrooms for campaign workers
The law lets county election commissions set aside restrooms for campaign workers in election buildings, while keeping those workers outside the polling place.
What it does
County election commissions may set aside restrooms in election buildings for campaign workers and volunteers. Workers outside the polling place may use them, but must follow rules about entering the polling place.
Argument forWorkers outside the polling place could use a designated restroom in the building, making it easier to take a break without entering the polling area.
Argument againstWorkers could face punishment for crossing the polling place boundary with campaign gear uncovered or soliciting votes inside, which may make the rules harder to follow.
More detail
A county election commission may designate restrooms in an election building for campaign workers and volunteers. This applies to campaign workers and volunteers in a building where an election is held. Campaign workers and volunteers outside the polling place may use the designated restrooms, but must not enter the polling place. Before entering the boundary designated for the polling place, workers and volunteers must cover or remove clothing or other items bearing campaign material. A worker or volunteer who crosses that boundary without covering or removing campaign material, or tries to solicit votes inside it, may be subject to punishment under state law. The law took effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 1050Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 07/01/2026
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 23Concurred, Ayes 31, Nays 0 (Amendment 1 - HA1099)Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 4/23/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 22Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 4/23/2026
- Apr 21Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA1099)Major
- Apr 21Passed H., as am., Ayes 86, Nays 0, PNV 0Passed House
- 2025
- Mar 20Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Mar 17Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 3/17/2025 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 17Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Mar 17Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 14Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 3/17/2025
- Mar 11Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
- Vote recorded SENATE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee 3/11/2025 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 3/11/2025
- Mar 4Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/11/2025
- Feb 25Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/4/2025
- Feb 10Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government CommitteeMinor
- Jan 27Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 21Filed for introductionIntroduced
Civil Rights & Voting