Tennessee lawmakers honor election coordinator Mark Goins amid integrity debate

The House Floor Session of the Tennessee House of Representatives convened on March 27, 2025, for its 19th Legislative Day, focusing on several key agenda items, including the passage of Senate Bill 1304 and a resolution honoring the state's Coordinator of Elections, Mark Goins.

The session began with a vote on Senate Bill 1304, which passed with a majority of 93 votes in favor. Following the vote, the Speaker moved on to the next item on the agenda, which was a resolution introduced by Chairman Rudd to recognize Mark Goins for his service in overseeing Tennessee's election processes. Representative Rudd highlighted Goins' efforts in maintaining the state's reputation for election integrity, noting that Tennessee has been recognized nationally for its election practices.

During the discussion, Representative Rudd emphasized Goins' bipartisan work and his role in ensuring that Tennessee's election system is regarded as the best in the nation. He mentioned that other states look to Tennessee for guidance on improving their election laws. Rudd's remarks were met with support from several members, who acknowledged Goins' contributions to the state's electoral integrity.

However, the resolution faced criticism from Representative Mitchell, who questioned Goins' effectiveness, citing Tennessee's low voter turnout rankings in recent years. Mitchell argued that despite Goins' recognition, the state's performance in elections has not improved, and he expressed concerns about Goins' handling of allegations of voter fraud. He called for accountability and suggested that Goins has not adequately addressed issues of election integrity.

In response, Rudd defended Goins, stating that the election process is complex and that many factors contribute to voter turnout. He reiterated that Goins has worked diligently to uphold election laws and has limited authority over the actions of local election commissions.

The session concluded with a renewed motion to adopt the resolution honoring Mark Goins, reflecting the ongoing debate about election integrity and the responsibilities of election officials in Tennessee. The discussions highlighted the contrasting views on the effectiveness of the state's election oversight and the importance of maintaining public trust in the electoral process.