MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphians voted to accept all six referendum on the city election ballot Tuesday, Nov. 5.
In a statement after the election, Memphis City Council Chairman JB Smiley Jr. said, "As the elected voice of the people, the Memphis City Council presented four referenda that would improve the lives of the people who call Memphis home with safety and growth at the forefront. Growing up, we were told that our power lies in our vote. Memphians utilized that power to a great extent in this election.
The referenda passed with overwhelming support from all factions of our citizenry. We let it be known that we demand safety and security for our families. The citizens have done their part. Now, it is up to each of us, as well as the elected senators and representatives of the Tennessee General Assembly, to stand with the people and pass legislation to keep our neighborhoods safe."
For all the referendums listed on the ballot, voters chose whether they were "For the Amendment" or "Against the Amendment."
Here’s a look at how people voted:
Mayor & Council referendums
Referendum Ordinance No. 5884
This asked Memphians if they would like to enact a runoff election for the Memphis Mayoral race. This would only happen if no candidate received 50% of the votes cast.
This could potentially change the outcome of elections. Last year, Mayor Paul Young was elected with just 27.6% of the vote, according to ABC24 data. This came after a crowded pool of 17 candidates made it nearly impossible for anyone to gather 50%.
According to Ballotpedia, a vote "For the Amendment" showed support to create a run-off between the top two candidates in the initial race.
A vote "Against the Amendment" would mean you would rather keep things the same.
Referendum Ordinance No. 5893
This asked Memphians if the Memphis City Council should determine their own salary, along with the salaries of the Memphis Mayor and other Chief Officers.
A vote "For the Amendment" supported the Memphis City Council setting the salary for the Mayor, City Council, Chief Administrative Officers, Appointed Directors and Deputy Directors.
A vote "Against the Amendment" meant the voter does not want the council to decide the previously listed salaries.
Referendum Ordinance No. 5913
This asked Memphians if Mayor or City Council members should be required to live in Memphis.
This question came after a debate during the 2023 Memphis Mayoral election. Candidates Van Turner and Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner found themselves in the middle of controversy, over whether or not they met what was believed to be the residency requirements.
A vote "For the Amendment" supported additional requirements for City Council and Mayoral candidates to be at least 18-years-old, live in Memphis for at least two years before the election, and not hold another office or have a contract with an interest with the city.
A vote "Against the Amendment" meant the voter does not want the requirements in place.
Gun referendums
The next three questions listed on the ballot had to do with potentially adding new gun measures in Memphis and curbing gun violence in the city. However, they were quickly met with criticism by state leaders, who said that the referendums would have no effect and could not change state law.
Referendum Ordinance No. 5908
Question 1
This asked Memphians if they would like to see a ban on carrying a gun without a permit or having a gun in a car without a permit in the city of Memphis. People could still store ammo in their cars, as long as it is out of sight in a trunk, glove box, or a secured/locked container.
A vote "For the Amendment" supported passing a local Memphis ordinance to ban permit-less carry.
A vote "Against the Amendment" would keep Tennessee's state law on permit-less carry locally in Memphis.
Question 2
This asked Memphians if they want to see an assault weapon ban and stop the sale of assault rifles in the city unless they were to law enforcement or a government agency. People who already owned an assault rifle, along with a permit, would not be affected by this new rule, as long as said person also passed a background check.
A vote "For the Amendment" showed support for the City Council to ban assault weapons and declare the use of assault weapons as a threat to health, safety and security.
A vote "Against the Amendment" meant the voter would not want to see these rules in place.
Question 3
This was the final and longest referendum question on the ballot. It asked Memphians if the courts should be allowed to take someone's gun away from them if they are found to be a significant danger or extreme risk to themselves or others.
A vote "For the Amendment" supported allowing the court to put this Extreme-Risk Protection Order in place and to take someone's gun for a certain amount of time.
A vote "Against the Amendment" opposed putting this measure in place.