On March 17, the Tennessee House defeated HB 2067 by two votes. It would have eased the definition of a qualified party. The bill received 47 “yes” votes and 35 “no” votes. However, because there are currently 97 representatives, the bill needed a majority of the membership, which would have been 49 votes. Fifteen representatives did not vote, and not voting had the same effect as voting “no.”

Democrats cast 15 votes in favor, 5 opposed, and 5 didn’t vote.

Republicans cast 32 votes in favor, 30 opposed, and 10 didn’t vote. The Speaker, Cameron Sexton, voted “no.”

The bill would have reduced the petition from 2.5% of the last gubernatorial vote, to one-half of 1%. It would also have eased the vote test for party retention from 5% to 1%.
Here is the roll-call. Click on the “votes” button at the top on the right.

An identical bill, SB 2189, is still alive in the State Senate. It has a committee hearing on March 22.