Liquor, transit, sales tax and charter amendments on the ballot in 27 municipalities

By KATE COIL

TT&C Assistant Editor

In addition to 204 elections for city officials, referendums were held in 27 municipalities.  

Knoxville residents approved a charter amendment changing when the city’s fifth council district elections are held, meaning the next person elected to the position will hold a two-year term that will realign the seat with the election of other councilmembers. Voters approved the measure 45,524 to 17,890. 

A second, more controversial amendment narrowly failed with 32,665 votes against and 31,334 for. This amendment would have changed the city council to include six “regional at-large" members and three “citywide at-large" members instead of six councilmembers representing six districts and three “at-large” council members.” 

Nashville’s transit referendum also passed with 65.5% to 34.5%, according to unofficial results released by the Davidson County Election Commission. The transit plan will raise Davidson County sales tax from 9.25% to 9.75%, on par with sales taxes in surrounding counties, resulting in an additional $3.1 billion in revenue. 

Dubbed Choose How You Move, the plan by Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell aims to complete the entire priority sidewalk network from WalkNBike Nashville, upgrade nearly 600 traffic signals, provide 24/7/365 transit service, and make safety improvements. 

“For the first time in our city’s history, we will have dedicated revenue for transportation improvements, and that’s going to allow us to finally chip away at our traffic and cost of living issues,” O’Connell said. “We all deserve more time with our friends and family and less time just trying to get to them. Throughout this process, Nashvillians have been clear. They want to be able to get around the city we all love more easily and more conveniently.” 

Memphis voters approved all six referenda on the ballot. The first will require a run-off election in mayoral races if a single candidate does not gain the majority of votes.  

The Memphis City Council will now set salaries for council members, the mayor, city chief administrative officers, directors appointed by the mayor, and all deputy directors. 

Voters also approved residency requirements for mayoral candidates and city council candidates, ensuring that they have to reside in their district for at least two years prior to the election and be at least 18 years old.  

Memphians also came out in support of local restrictions on gun ownership, though these referenda only act as trigger laws that would not go into effect without exemptions being made in state law by the Tennessee General Assembly. The first measure would require permits for carrying and storing handguns within city limits while the second bans the carrying and sale of assault rifles in the city, except for on private property or at shooting ranges by current owners who legally purchased an assault weapon or by law enforcement and the military. 

A third gun-related measure would implement a "red flag law" that would remove or block the sale of guns to people deemed a danger to themselves or others. 

Oak Ridge votes approved a measure to bring the city charter’s language about school board elections into compliance with state law. A total of 10,773 votes cast ballots in favor of the measure while 3,004 voted against. 

Gallatin residents approved a sales and use referendum of half a penny per dollar with 10,696 for and 8,993 against. 

Sales and use tax referendums that would increase sales tax from 2.25 to 2.75% were voted down in Chapel Hill, 722 against and 333 for, and in Madisonville, 1,598 against and 415 for. 

Consumption on the premises referendums passed in: 

• Adamsville, 555 for and 327 against 
• Alamo, 525 for and 296 against 
• Decaturville, 184 for and 77 against 
• Dover, 483 for and 230 against 
• Greenfield, 487 for and 343 against 
• Obion, 75 for and 55 against 
• Oneida, 886 for and 627 against 
• Moscow, 122 for and 57 against 
• Red Boiling Springs, 149 for and 119 against 
• Wartburg, 155 for to 110 against 
• White Bluff, 13,219 for and 4,454 against 

Retail package store referendums passed in: 

• Adamsville, 572 for and 329 against 
• Charleston,  295 for and 172 against  
• Dandridge,  6,775 for and 3,225 against 
• Eagleville, 357 for and 141 against 
• LaFolette, 1,257 for and 822 against 
• Moscow, 131 for and 53 against 
• Mount Carmel, 1,555 for and 855 against 
• Nolensville, 7,424 for and 917 against 
• Union City, 2,075 for and 1,388 against 
• Vonore, 534 for and 260 against 
• Wartburg, 162 for and 103 against 
• White Pine,  6,166 for and 3,884 against