NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WGNS) - Tennessee has solidified its position as the gold standard for election integrity, clinching the top spot in the Heritage Foundation’s Election Integrity Scorecard for an unprecedented fourth consecutive year. No other state has maintained this distinction since the scorecard’s inception, marking a historic milestone for the Volunteer State.

The Heritage Foundation’s rigorous evaluation, which ranks all 50 states, highlighted Tennessee’s robust voter ID requirements, meticulous voter registration list maintenance, and bipartisan election oversight as cornerstones of its success. The scorecard evaluates critical factors such as absentee ballot management, vote counting accuracy, and transparency in election administration, areas where Tennessee continues to excel.

Secretary of State Tre Hargett celebrated the achievement, stating, “This ranking reflects the tireless work of our county election commissions and the General Assembly’s commitment to protecting the ballot box. In Tennessee, it’s easy to vote and hard to cheat—and that’s exactly how it should be.”

Mark Goins, Coordinator of Elections, credited local officials for their pivotal role. “This recognition reflects the dedication and professionalism of election officials across all 95 counties,” Goins said. “We work year-round to ensure every vote is counted accurately and securely, and it’s gratifying to see that effort acknowledged nationally.”

Rutherford County Administrator of Elections Alan Farley echoed this sentiment, emphasizing public trust. “Tennesseans deserve to have full confidence in our elections,” Farley said. “Tennessee leads by example, and we will continue to set the standard for the nation.”

The state’s legislative leadership also received high praise. Secretary Hargett commended Lt. Governor Randy McNally, Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, and key legislators including Chairmen Richard Briggs, John Crawford, and Tim Rudd. “Their commitment to voter ID, transparent ballot procedures, and secure registration practices has made Tennessee a national model,” Hargett noted.