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    • See a sample ballot and what you need to know
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    See a sample ballot and what you need to know

    Sakege Posted on

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    Knoxville voters have the opportunity to decide future city elections choosing who can vote for municipal council candidates.

    Should all voters have a say in each member? Or should only voters in a specific district elect their representation?

    Here’s what you need to know about the two referendum questions Knoxville residents will see on their ballots.

    What does question 1 of the Knoxville referendum say?

    Here is the exact wording on the ballot:

    SHALL ARTICLE IV, SECTION 404 OF THE KNOXVILLE CITY CHARTER, TITLED “SAME – TERMS OF OPERATION (OF COUNCIL MEMBERS)” BE AMENDED TO ALIGN THE FIFTH COUNCIL DISTRICT WITH THE OTHER DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBERS SERVING A TWO YEAR MEDICAL BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 18, 2027 AND ENDING ON DECEMBER 15, 2029 AND AFTER SERVING FOR FOUR YEAR TERMS, ALL AS MORE FULLY SET FORTH IN DULY PUBLISHED ORDINANCE No. O-97 2024 OF THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE ?

    What does a “yes” vote mean?

    Currently, the Fifth District city council seat is not up for election at the same time as the other five numbered seats.

    Selecting “for amendment” aligns the Fifth District elections with the other five.

    What does a “no” vote mean?

    The Fifth District seat will continue to be up for re-election in years when voters elect the mayor, at-large seats and municipal judge.

    What does question 1 of the Knoxville referendum say?

    Here is the exact text of the ballot:

    SHALL ARTICLE IV, SECTIONS 401 AND 402, AND ARTICLE VII, SECTIONS 704 AND 707 OF THE KNOXVILLE CITY CHARTER BE AMENDED TO ELECT SIX (6) MEMBERS OF THE REGIONAL GENERAL COUNCIL USING REGIONAL RESIDENCE AS A QUALIFICATION FOR CANDIDATES REGIONAL AND THREE (3) CITYWIDE ELECTIONS FOR LARGE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND ESTABLISHING A PROCESS FOR PRIMARY AND REGULAR COUNCIL MEMBERS ELECTIONS CONSISTENT WITH PUBLIC CHAPTER 391, LAWS OF 2023, ALL AS FULLY SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE No. O-98-2024 OF THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE DULY PUBLISHED?

    Selecting “for amendment” means that each voter will be able to vote for each member of the Knoxville City Council, and each council member will represent each resident. Candidates must live in the district they represent.

    Defenders say This means residents will have more of a say in council decisions, while opponents say it could lead to one party having too much power.

    Of the two options, this is the most similar to Knoxville’s current (unconventional) system, which was banned by the state legislature.

    Selecting “against the amendment” means that only residents of a specific district will vote in that district’s Knoxville City Council elections. Each councilor will only represent their own district.

    Defenders of this option say It is the best way to ensure minority representation on the council. District elections generally produce candidates who focus on neighborhood issues. Opponents of this system say council members won’t have an incentive to care about districts they don’t represent.

    How do we get here?

    The sudden need for change comes from outside the city.

    State Rep. Elaine Davis, a Republican who represents Knox County but does not live in Knoxville, sponsored successful legislation in 2023 banning the city’s election system. It’s unique: Council members are nominated in primary elections by members of their district, but the entire city can elect them in regular elections.

    Knoxville must put any charter amendments before voters on a ballot only in even-numbered years like this one.

    Knoxville’s next municipal election will be in August.

    Allie Feinberg reports on politics for Knox News. Email her: [email protected] and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg.

    Sakege
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