Image Credit: Canva & Jefferson County Commission
The Tennessee Conservative [By David Seal] –
A bipartisan bill aimed at creating a means of recalling local elected officials is being supported by a resolution made by the Jefferson County Commission.
Jefferson County Resolution 2026-06 is linked here.
House Bill 1448 by Representative Torrey Harris (D-Memphis) and Senate Bill 1466 by Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) seeks to create a means for citizens to recall local elected officials and remove them from office..
Harris issued a media release prior to Taylor signing on as the prime senate sponsor in which he stated that the bill “is about restoring the power of accountability where it belongs- with the people. Our communities deserve to have confidence that if their elected officials stop representing their values or fail to uphold the public trust, there is a process in place to act responsibly and democratically.” – said Representative Torrey Harris
Harris’ media release is highlighted in the news report linked here.
HB1448 / SB1466 sets the bar high for a recall, creating a set of guardrails to prevent frivolous actions to recall elected officials.
No sooner than the recall bill was filed by Harris, certain Jefferson County Commissioners went to work to support the proposed legislation resulting in the passage of Resolution 2026-06.
In order to trigger a recall, a person who resides within the district in which the official in question serves would have to file a petition for recall with the local election commission.
According to the bill text “The petition must be signed by registered voters who reside within the geographic boundaries of the jurisdiction of which the local official is sought to be removed equal in number to at least sixty-six percent (66%) of the total vote cast for the office in the last regular election.”
If the petition for a recall contains the requisite signatures of registered voters, a sworn affidavit by the petition circulator, and other requirements of the act are met, then a recall election is triggered to either retain or remove the official from office.
A link is provided here for the complete text of HB1448 / SB1466.
If an elected official is removed by a recall election, the bill precludes the removed official from being reappointed to fill the vacancy. “If a majority of those voting vote “for recall,” then the person named is removed from office and the office is declared vacant. A vacancy cannot be filled by renaming the removed person to the office and the vacancy must be filled in accordance with the applicable law for the office.”
Offices covered by the recall bill are as follows, “an elected member of a local legislative body, mayor, sheriff, trustee, register, clerk, assessor of property, or member of a school board.”
Several Jefferson County commissioners spoke in favor of the Harris-Taylor election recall bill when it was under consideration on the commission floor for a vote.
The Tennessee Conservative News will follow the progress of the bill and report as the legislation makes its way through the committee process.
About the Author: David Seal is a retired Jefferson County educator, recognized artist, local businessman, 917 Society Volunteer, and past Chairman of the Jefferson County Republican Party. He has also served Jefferson County as a County Commissioner and is a citizen lobbyist for the people on issues such as eminent domain, property rights, education, and broadband accessibility on the state level. David is also a 2024 winner of The Tennessee Conservative Flame Award & has received an accolade from the Institute For Justice for successfully lobbing the TN legislature to protect property rights. David can be reached at david@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
One Response
GOOD!! Had a child rapist school teacher and county commission member who refused to step down after his indictment.