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e-Li: Electronic Library

Tie Votes

According to T.C.A. § 2-8-111, the following bodies are to cast the deciding vote (or call for a runoff election) if any of these general elections results in a tie:

  1. Elections involving a single county or a part of a county - county legislative body (or the legislative body may call for a runoff);
  2. Municipal elections - municipal legislative body (or the legislative body may call for a runoff);
  3. Elections for U.S. Congress - governor;
  4. Election for governor - General Assembly;
  5. Any other election except U.S. Senator (see below) - state election commission.

If a tie vote occurs in a primary election, the tie shall be broken according to the rules of the political party. T.C.A. § 2-8-114. An election for U.S. Senator is void if it results in a tie, and the governor is to order a special election. T.C.A. § 2-8-111.