Knoxville voters have the chance to decides the city’s future elections by choosing who can vote for city council candidates.

Should every voter get to weigh in on every city council member? Or should only voters in a specific district choose their own representation?

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

What does Question 1 of the Knoxville referendum say?

Here’s the exact wording on the ballot:

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

What does a ‘yes’ vote mean?

Currently, the city council’s Fifth District seat isn’t up for election at the same time as the other five numbered seats.

Selecting “for the 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 reelection in years where voters select the mayor, at-large seats and municipal judge.

What does Question 2 of the Knoxville referendum say?

Here’s the exact wording on the ballot:

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

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

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

Out of the two options, this option is the most similar to Knoxville’s current (unconventional) system, which was outlawed by the state legislature.

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

Proponents of this option say it’s the best way to ensure minority representation on the council. District-only elections generally produce candidates who are focused on neighborhood issues. Opponents of this system say council members won’t have an incentive to care about the districts they don’t represent.

How did we get here?

The sudden need for change comes from outside the city.

State Rep. Elaine Davis, a Republican who represents Knox County but doesn’t live in Knoxville, sponsored successful legislation in 2023 that outlaws the city’s election system. It’s unique: council members are nominated in the primary election by members of their district, but the entire city gets to elect them in the regular election.

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

Knoxville’s next city election is in August.

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

This article originally appeared on the Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville referendum questions: Check a sample ballot and what to know