Cookeville Ballot Measures, Explained Simply: November 3, 2026
Each measure below is explained in plain words, from the official ballot language and Putnam County. For every one we say what a yes vote means and what a no vote means. This page does not tell you how to vote.
Election day is November 3, 2026. Last updated October 12, 2026. For the candidates, see what's on the ballot in Cookeville.
Statewide
Amendment 1An amendment to Article I, Section 35 of the Constitution of Tennessee, relative to the rights of crime victims.
The state Constitution already gives crime victims certain rights. This would add more rights for victims, including rights about being told what is happening in a case and being heard in court.
- If Yes wins
- A yes vote means adding the proposed crime-victim rights to the state Constitution.
- If No wins
- A no vote means the state Constitution’s crime-victim rights section would stay as it is now.
- How it got on the ballot: Referred by the Tennessee General Assembly as Senate Joint Resolution 9.
Explained from Tennessee Secretary of State — 2026 Proposed Constitutional Amendments, Putnam County Election Commission — November 3, 2026 election information. Listed by Tennessee Secretary of State.
Amendment 2An amendment to Article I, Section 15 of the Constitution of Tennessee, relative to the right to bail.
Today, a judge may deny bail to a person accused of a capital crime. This would let a judge deny bail in some more serious cases, such as certain murder or terrorism charges, when the judge finds the evidence is strong.
- If Yes wins
- A yes vote means changing the state Constitution so judges may deny bail in the additional kinds of cases listed in the amendment.
- If No wins
- A no vote means the state Constitution’s current rule about when a person may be held without bail would stay as it is now.
- How it got on the ballot: Referred by the Tennessee General Assembly as Senate Joint Resolution 25.
Explained from Tennessee Secretary of State — 2026 Proposed Constitutional Amendments, Putnam County Election Commission — November 3, 2026 election information. Listed by Tennessee Secretary of State.
Amendment 3An amendment to Article II, Section 28 of the Constitution of Tennessee, prohibiting the state from imposing a tax on real property.
Tennessee has no state tax on real property today, though the state legislature has the power to create one. This would take away that power unless voters later approve another change to the state Constitution.
- If Yes wins
- A yes vote means the state Constitution would prohibit the legislature from imposing a state tax on real property.
- If No wins
- A no vote means the state Constitution would not add this ban. The legislature would keep its current power to create a state tax on real property.
- How it got on the ballot: Referred by the Tennessee General Assembly as Senate Joint Resolution 1.
Explained from Tennessee Secretary of State — 2026 Proposed Constitutional Amendments, Putnam County Election Commission — November 3, 2026 election information. Listed by Tennessee Secretary of State.