Chattanooga Residents Prepare for Municipal Election and Referendum on March 4th
As the City of Chattanooga prepares for its Municipal Election tomorrow, March 4th, 8,983 residents have already taken the opportunity to cast their early votes, marking an encouraging turnout ahead of the decision-making day. Polling stations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., allowing voters to make their voices heard on key issues, including the selection of the mayor, city council representatives, and a significant charter amendment.
One of the most talked-about issues on the ballot is a referendum that will determine whether to amend the City Charter — essentially Chattanooga’s constitution — to allow city employees the option of residing outside the state of Tennessee. Current regulations stipulate that all city employees must be Tennessee residents, a rule many advocate changing to enhance recruitment efforts amid staffing challenges faced by local police and fire departments.
Voting “for” the amendment would enable city employees to live beyond state lines, while a vote “against” would maintain the status quo, requiring residency within Tennessee. The amendment was proposed by officials from the Chattanooga Police and Fire Departments, who are eager to attract a larger pool of candidates to fill crucial positions.
For the charter change to take effect, a majority of voters must support the amendment. The exact wording of the referendum is as follows:
https://www.hits96.com/chattanooga-residents-prepare-for-municipal-election-and-referendum-on-march-4th/