Tennessee Code Annotated

Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-142 (2026)

Knowingly publishing false campaign literature

✓ current as of May 2026

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It is a Class C misdemeanor for any person to publish or distribute or cause to be published or distributed any campaign literature in opposition to any candidate in any election if such person knows that any such statement, charge, allegation, or other matter contained therein with respect to such candidate is false.

Acts 1974, ch. 704, § 1; T.C.A., § 2-1950; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 113.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 8 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 2005–2023 · leading case: Rickert v. Pub. Disclosure Comm'n, 161 Wash. 2d 843 (Wash. 2007).

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Rickert v. Pub. Disclosure Comm'n, 161 Wash. 2d 843 (Wash. 2007). “1-10-04 (LexisNexis); Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-142 (LexisNexis); Utah Code Ann.”

Tennesseans For Sensible Election Laws v. Herbert H. Slatery, III (Tenn. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 54× “M2020-01292-COA-R3-CV ___________________________________ This is an action for declaratory judgment and injunctive relief that challenges the constitutionality of Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-142 , which criminalizes the publication of false statements opposing a political candidate.”

Rickert v. Pub. Disclosure Comm'n, 129 Wash. App. 450 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). “532 (2003); Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-142 (2005); Utah Code Ann.”

Rickert v. State, Pub. Disclosure Com'n, 119 P.3d 379 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). “532 (2003); Tenn.Code Ann. § 2-19-142 (2005); Utah Code Ann.”

Mickell Lowery v. Michael Redmond (Tenn. Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 6× “7, 2021) (“Tenn. Code Ann. § 2-19-142 . . . criminalizes the publication of false statements opposing a political candidate.”

Charles Jackson v. Shelby Cnty. Civil Serv. Merit Bd. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 9× “Jackson was determined to have engaged in “acts of misconduct, which are job related,” where he violated Tennessee Code Annotated § 2-19-142, the statutory provision prohibiting publication and distribution of campaign literature against a candidate in an election containing…”

Ernest Falls v. Mark Goins (Dissent) (Tenn. 2023). · cites it 2× “Section 2-19-143(3) lists “Prohibited Practices,” including interfering with nominating meetings or elections (section 2-19-101), illegal -3- registration or voting (section 2-19-107), misrepresentations on campaign literature or sample ballots (section 2-19-116), bribing voters…”

Pamela Murray v. Jamie Hollin (Tenn. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 2× “Murray’s libel case is brought under Tennessee Code Annotated Section 2-19-142, which provides: It is a Class C misdemeanor for any person to publish or distribute or cause to be published or distributed any campaign literature in opposition to any candidate in any election if…”

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