Senate Bill 2164, also known as the "Election Integrity Act of 2026," amends Tennessee election law to establish a formal process for candidates to challenge the results of local elections. The bill introduces a new subsection (b) to Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 2-8-105, stating that a local election cannot be certified if a challenge has been filed until the challenge process is complete. This provision ensures that only the election being contested is affected, allowing other elections on the ballot to be certified as usual.

Additionally, the bill defines a "local election" and outlines the procedure for candidates to file a challenge. Candidates must submit their challenges in writing to the county election commission within ten business days of the election. The county election commission is required to investigate the claims within fifteen days and send the findings to the state election commission, which must make a decision within twenty-one business days. Depending on the merits of the challenge, the state election commission may either allow the election to be certified or direct a special election if the errors could potentially change the outcome. The bill also clarifies that candidates are not barred from contesting the election through other means.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2-8-105