The U.S. Department of Justice has issued new guidance to state election officials on managing voter registration rolls, emphasizing compliance with federal laws that prohibit discrimination and coercion. The Tennessean reports that the guidance comes after Tennessee Coordinator of Elections Mark Goins sent letters in July to 14,375 individuals, deemed "potential non-U.S. citizens," demanding proof of citizenship and threatening penalties for illegal voting. Last month, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) stated its intention to sue the state if the "voter list maintenance program” was not dropped. Soon thereafter, the state said it would not remove any of the individuals from the voting rolls. The federal guidance warns that erroneously targeting voter groups, such as newly naturalized citizens, could violate the National Voter Registration Act. It also cautions against practices that may violate voter record keeping standards.

The race for Elizabethton municipal judge is shaping up to be the third rematch between Municipal Judge Jason Lee Holly and Teresa Murray Smith, who held the post for three months in 2020 and was the city’s first female judge. The Elizabethton Star looks at the candidates, the history of their service and Smith’s reasons for entering the race this year.

Shelby County Chancellor Melanie Taylor Jefferson ruled Wednesday that gun control questions can appear on the November ballot, the Daily Memphian reports. Taylor Jefferson agreed with the Memphis City Council’s private attorney that state claims that the referendums are preempted by state gun laws were “not ripe” because the referendums are just proposals, and no amendments have yet been made to the city charter. The Memphis City Council approved the ballot measures in July but the Shelby County Election Commission ruled they would not be added to the ballot based on guidance from state officials. The council then sued the commission.

Charges filed against Bob Harshbarger Sr. — the father of Tennessee State Sen. Jon Lundberg's political opponent, Bobby Harshbarger, and the husband of Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger —have been dismissed. Lundberg filed a criminal warrant accusing Harshbarger Sr. of stealing and vandalizing election campaign signs. Lundberg claimed the act was caught on camera by volunteers. According to the Bristol Herald Courier, District Attorney General Pro Tem D. Michael Dunavant filed a motion to dismiss the charges with prejudice, writing in the motion, “After diligent investigation and review, the state finds that the available admissible evidence in this matter is insufficient to substantiate the statutory elements or support a conviction.”

Over the weekend, the Tennessee Republican Party’s State Executive Committee rejected outgoing Oak Ridge Rep. John Ragan’s challenge of his August primary loss to Rick Scarbrough by a 41-7 vote, The Tennessean reports. Ragan lost his Aug. 1 primary race to Scarbrough by 258 votes. Days later, he alleged that Democrats cast "crossover" votes in the Republican primary with the purpose of defeating him. Lawmakers last year passed a new law requiring polling places to display signage warning voters it is illegal to vote in another party’s primary. According to the report, that law has drawn several legal challenges. Scarbrough remains the Republican on the ballot in November. Scarbrough now will face Democrat Anne Backus on Nov. 5.

Tori Smith was sworn in as the new Hamilton County General Seesions Court judge yesterday in Chattanooga. Judge Gary Starnes administered the oath of office, Chattanoogan.com reports. Smith was selected to fill the seat last week by the county commission. The vacancy was created when Judge Alex McVeagh was elected to the Judicial District 11 Circuit Court. Smith previously was with the public defender's office. She will serve until the August 2026 general election. The winner of that election then will serve until 2030, which is when McVeagh’s term would have expired.

Tami Sawyer took the oath of office last week as the new Shelby County General Sessions Court clerk. The oath was administered by Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris in the Shelby County Board of Commissioners chambers where Sawyer served for four years. She took office officially on Sept. 1. Sawyer said her office would ensure that “victims of domestic violence receive their orders of protection immediately” and that new budgets will go toward “improving the morale” of the more than 200 employees. The Daily Memphian has more on the story. Sawyer upset incumbent Joe Brown in the March Democratic primary and then beat Republican nominee Lisa Arnold in the August county general election.

The Hamilton County Commission has named Tori Smith as its new General Sessions Court judge, Chattanoogan.com reports. She will replace Judge Alex McVeagh, who recently was elected as a circuit court judge. Smith currently is a supervisor in the public defender's office. She will be sworn in Sept. 4 at 9:30 a.m. EDT. McVeagh will be sworn in the next day at 2 p.m. EDT. Smith will serve until the August 2026 general election. The winner of that election then will serve until 2030, which is when McVeagh’s term would have expired.

Women are outnumbering men on state ballots this fall, with two women competing for Tennessee's U.S. Senate seat, and Vice-President Kamala Harris running in the presidential election. According to Knox News, reports find this increase in female candidates mirrors a national trend that may help close the gender gap in political representation. The paper cites data from the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, which reveals that only 15% of Tennessee's state legislators are women. Additionally, a recent Vanderbilt poll highlights significant gender differences on policy issues. "The variations we observe among registered voters ... indicate that gender-based opinions could have substantial effects on voting and policy-making, both in our state and nationwide,” says Joshua Clinton, co-director of the poll.

The Tennessee Republican Party has postponed Oak Ridge Rep. John Ragan’s request to challenge his August primary loss to former Clinton police chief Rick Scarbrough, reports the Tennessee Lookout. A special-called meeting is tentatively scheduled for Sept. 7 and may take place virtually, pending approval from the Tennessee comptroller and secretary of state and despite Ragan's opposition to the "validity" of decisions made during virtual meetings. Ragan lost his Aug. 1 primary race to Scarbrough by 258 votes and days later alleged that Democrats cast "crossover" votes in the Republican primary with the purpose of defeating him.