TN SB2484

Summary of SB2484 - Tennessee Ballot Access Act

• Requires all candidates for state and federal office in Tennessee to provide authenticated, documented proof of constitutional eligibility before being placed on the ballot, verified by the Secretary of State and election commissions.

• Establishes a restrictive definition of "natural born citizen" for presidential/vice presidential candidates based on the citizenship status of the candidate's father at birth, explicitly excluding those who obtained citizenship through the 14th Amendment or naturalization laws.

• Starting July 1, 2026, prohibits Tennessee presidential electors from casting votes for any candidate whose eligibility is "in question or doubt" until properly investigated and cleared.

• Imposes severe penalties for violations including immediate removal from office, lifetime ban from seeking public office, fines up to $20,000 per incident, and imprisonment up to 20 years per incident.

• Holds political parties accountable for vetting candidates, with potential penalties including disqualification from presenting candidates in current and future election cycles if they submit ineligible candidates.