Governors Haslam And Bredesen Say Yes To Amendment 2

  • Monday, October 20, 2014

While we come from different political parties, we share a deep gratitude for having served as governor of our great state.

We also come together this election season, along with many others, to strongly encourage all Tennesseans to Vote Yes on Amendment 2. 

Amendment 2 is the judicial selection amendment to our state constitution, and it is important. 

Passing Amendment 2 will bring clarity and certainty to the way Tennesseans choose the 29 appellate court judges who serve statewide in Tennessee.   

These include the five justices on the Supreme Court, the 12 judges on the Court of Appeals, and the 12 judges on the Court of Criminal Appeals.  Amendment 2 does not change the selection process for trial court judges, who will continue to run in local elections. 

Why do we need Amendment 2?  Because there have been numerous legal challenges in recent years to the way we select appellate court judges in our state.   

Although the courts have repeatedly upheld Tennessee’s system as constitutional, these challenges, and the confusion and uncertainty they create, persist. 

By voting Yes on Amendment 2, Tennesseans can put an end to these questions and make clear the process for selecting the diverse and well-qualified, fair and impartial judges we want and need. 

Voting yes on Amendment 2 preserves the best parts of the current system while adding new checks and balances to strengthen the voice of Tennesseans in the judicial selection process.  

The main text of Amendment 2 is clearly spelled out on the ballot, along with some procedures the legislature will follow during the confirmation process: 

“Judges of the Supreme Court or any intermediate appellate court shall be appointed for a full term or to fill a vacancy by and at the discretion of the governor; shall be confirmed by the legislature; and thereafter, shall be elected in a retention election by the qualified voters of the state…” 

This approach is important because it protects your voice and your vote in the selection of appellate court judges: 

When voting for governor who will make the appointments; 

When voting for your state senators and state representatives who will confirm or reject the appointments; 

Most importantly, in protecting your right to vote to keep or replace the judges at the end of their respective terms. 

That is why so many leaders, from across the political spectrum, have endorsed and are strongly supporting Amendment 2 -- including every living former governor of Tennessee, the mayors of our three largest cities, the mayors of our four largest counties, a majority of our state legislators, and almost all of our judiciary. 

Amendment 2 has also earned the support of respected organizations like the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the NAACP of Tennessee, the Tennessee Bar Association, the Tennessee Sheriffs Association, the League of Women Voters, several major newspapers across the state, and many others who are actively supporting it. 

These leaders and organizations know that failure to pass Amendment 2 could lead to even more confusion, and potentially, to new and costly statewide elections.   

By voting Yes on Amendment 2, we can help keep the corrupting influences of money and politics away from our judges and out of our courts.  We need fair and impartial judges, not the best politicians, who can raise the most money, as our judges. 

Amendment 2 will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot – with early voting already underway through Oct. 30.   

Please don’t skip this important issue.  It is time to end the confusion. It is time for Tennesseans to be heard.   

We want fair and impartial judges held accountable to the people of Tennessee.

Please join us in voting yes on Amendment 2.

Governor Bill Haslam
Former Governer Phil Bredesen 

Bill Haslam, a Republican, serves as the current governor of Tennessee.  Phil Bredesen, a Democrat, served as the governor of Tennessee from 2003-2011. 


Latest Headlines
Opinion
Send Your Opinions To Chattanoogan.com; Include Your Full Name, Address, Phone Number For Verification
  • 3/29/2024

We welcome your opinions at Chattanoogan.com. Email to news@chattanoogan.com . We require your real first and last name and contact information. This includes your home address and phone ... more

Capitol Report From State Rep. Greg Vital For March 28
  • 3/28/2024

Budget becomes central focus in final weeks of 113th General Assembly Members of the House Finance, Ways and Means Committee this week were briefed by Finance and Administration Commissioner ... more