(a) It is the duty of the attorney general and reporter to:

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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 2-10-109

  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Dismissal: The dropping of a case by the judge without further consideration or hearing. Source:
  • Election: means any general, special or primary election or run-off election, held to approve or disapprove a measure or nominate or elect a candidate for public office. See Tennessee Code 2-10-102
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • filed: means the date actually deposited with or received by the appropriate office or the date of the postmark if postmarked and sent by registered or certified mail of the United States postal service. See Tennessee Code 2-10-102
  • Lawsuit: A legal action started by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a complaint that the defendant failed to perform a legal duty, resulting in harm to the plaintiff.
  • Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • written: includes printing, typewriting, engraving, lithography, and any other mode of representing words and letters. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(1) Advise county election commissions, primary boards and administrators of elections of their duties and responsibilities required by this part;
(2) Provide opinions upon the requirements of this part to the members of the general assembly, district attorneys general, the state and county election commissions, and such other officials who are charged with the administration of this law; and
(3) Represent the registry of election finance in any action or lawsuit in any court of this state.
(b)

(1) A district attorney shall:

(A) Investigate a sworn complaint filed in accordance with § 2-10- 108(c); and
(B) Upon review and the completion of the investigation of a complaint, refer its investigative report containing findings of potential violations, if any, to the registry for consideration of the assessment of civil penalties pursuant to § 2-10-110.
(2) The registry may, upon review of an investigative report received from a district attorney general under subdivision (b)(1)(B), dismiss the complaint if the complaint is not factually and legally sufficient. The registry shall notify the complainant of the dismissal. If the registry determines the complaint is factually and legally sufficient, then the registry may set the complaint for a show cause hearing to determine if the registry should take action regarding the complaint, including, but not limited to, assessing civil penalties pursuant to § 2-10-110.
(3) Both the alleged violator and the complainant may, upon request, present evidence before the registry at or prior to the show cause hearing. The registry shall notify the alleged violator and the complainant that evidence will be presented to the registry if requested. The registry may determine the appropriate procedure for presenting evidence. After the conclusion of the show cause hearing, the registry shall reduce its decision to writing and provide a written statement of the registry’s decision to all parties.
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