TennesseeJonesborough sets a schedule for town elections and mayor vacancies
If Jonesborough’s local board approves the measure, serving aldermen could fill a mayoral vacancy temporarily, and the text sets dates for town elections.
What it does
A serving alderman chosen as vice mayor would act as mayor during an absence or vacancy, until the board picks a mayor or election results are certified.
The recorder could have liability coverage through insurance instead of a bond, with the amount and terms set by town ordinance.
The text schedules a two-year mayoral term starting with an August 2028 election and staggered four-year alderman terms, with initial elections in November 2026 and November 2028.
Argument forHolding town elections alongside county elections could make it easier for voters to take part in local races.
Argument againstIf approved, a board-appointed mayor could serve until an election is certified, so voters might not choose the town’s mayor right away.
More detail
The board would choose a serving alderman to act as vice mayor and, if the mayor’s office becomes vacant, serve as mayor temporarily. This applies to Jonesborough’s board of mayor and aldermen and its serving aldermen. The acting mayor’s service ends when the board elects a mayor from among serving aldermen or when results of the next regular town election are certified. The vice mayor serves during the mayor’s absence or inability to serve, and during a vacancy until one of the stated end points.
The town recorder could be covered by insurance instead of a bond. This applies to the Jonesborough recorder, whom the board appoints as finance director under the town administrator’s supervision. The town ordinance sets the amount and terms of the bond or insurance.
The bill text sets election dates and terms for the mayor and aldermen. These schedules cover Jonesborough’s mayor and aldermen and use elections held with the Washington County general election. The mayor’s successor serves until elected and qualified. A person cannot run for mayor and alderman in the same election or hold both offices; an alderman running for mayor in an off-year election must resign before filing. The mayor’s term is two years beginning the Monday after election results are certified. Aldermen’s four-year terms begin the same way; the text schedules later elections for August 2030 and August 2032, then repeats each cycle.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pr. Ch. 60Latest
- May 21Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for his action.To Governor
- May 5Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 20Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.Minor
- Apr 15Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 4/15/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 15Passed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Apr 9Received from House, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Apr 6Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: CONSENT CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/6/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 6Passed H., Ayes 90, Nays 0, PNV 2Passed House
- Apr 6Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.Minor
- Apr 2H. Placed on Consent Calendar for 4/6/2026
- Vote recorded HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE: H. Placed on Consent Calendar 4/2/2026. Result: fail.Lower
- Apr 1Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/2/2026
- Mar 31Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded HOUSE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee 3/31/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 25Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/31/2026
- Mar 23Rec. for pass; ref to State & Local Government CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded HOUSE PRIVATE ACTS COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to State & Local Government Committee 3/23/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 18Placed on cal. Private Acts Committee for 3/23/2026
- Mar 5P2C, ref. to Private Acts Committee - State & Local Government CommitteeMinor
- Mar 2Intro., P1C.Minor
- Feb 27Filed for introductionIntroduced
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