On October 21st, 2026, the Chattanooga DSA voted to endorse a vote of NO on both Amendment 1 and Amendment 2 on the Tennessee General Midterm Election Ballot of 2026. These resolutions were voted on during the October General Meeting and the votes were unanimous.
A vote of NO on Amendment 1 is a vote against the increase of power granted to the Tennessee carceral system. This amendment, if it passes, would deny bail to citizens accused of numerous offenses. These would include capital offenses such as murder down to breaking into an automobile. This would keep people accused (not proven) of crimes stuck behind bars until their trial date. We believe in innocence before proven guilty and we believe in drastic reform needed for the carceral system, where this amendment would go in the opposite direction of reform and would give more powers to the police state. Vote NO on amendment 1.
A vote of NO on Amendment 2 would keep the ability to raise state property taxes in the hands of the democratically elected state legislature. The state legislature is a democratically elected body that should retain the ability to raise state property tax. Taxes are essential in providing funding to essential services. Taking it away from the state legislature is anti democratic. Vote NO on amendment 2.
The Chattanooga DSA endorses a NO vote on both Amendment 1 and 2.