Early voting is underway in Shelby County, and Memphis voters have some city-specific ballot questions to weigh in on during this election cycle.
Voters are deciding on three changes to Memphis' city charter in the next few weeks of early voting and on Nov. 3 — amendments that could affect public library workers, other city employees and transparency for lobbyists.
Get familiar with the ballot referendums so you're not caught off guard at the polls. Here's everything you need to know to make an informed vote, including the language you'll see on your ballot and what it means.
Library workers referendum
What you'll see it listed as on the ballot: City of Memphis Charter Referendum
Ordinance No. 5966
Ballot language:
"Shall Article 34, Sec. 250 of the Home Rule Charter of the City of Memphis be amended to read as follows:
'ARTICLE 34: CIVIL SERVICE
The Director of Personnel shall classify all offices and positions in the City service according to the duties and responsibilities of each position, provided, however, that the following officers and employees shall be exempted from the provisions of this article:
a. Officers and judges who are elected by popular vote and their successors;
b. Members of the board and employees of the Board of Education;
c. Members of the board and employees of the Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division;
d. Division directors who are either now or may be hereafter appointed by the Mayor and Council;
e. All employees of the legal department;
f. Members of the various boards and commissions now existing or hereafter created;
g. All staff employees of the offices of the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer;
h. One executive secretary for each board, commission, division director, and for the administrative judge of the City court;
i. All officers of the Memphis and Shelby County Public Library;
j. All Employees of the City Council office;
k. Such other officers or employees whose positions, in the judgement of the Mayor, with the concurrence of the City Council, cannot be subject to the rules herein provided, and who shall not be affected by such rules and regulations. The provisions of this subsection (k) shall not allow removal of civil service protection from any employee whose position at that time is covered by this article.'"
Voters can select "for the amendment" or "against the amendment."
What this means:
If this amendment passes, employees of the Memphis Public Libraries system would become part of the city's civil service system. Perhaps the ballot referendum with the most attention on it, this initiative would give library workers safeguards and job security, advocates say.
Library workers are currently excluded from the civil service system and are appointees of the mayor. As such, the mayor can dismiss appointees without the appeals process given to other city workers.
If passed, this referendum would pull library workers out of that appointed category, and give them the ability to appeal dismissals and other decisions regarding their employment status.
Casey McKoon, who has been a librarian with Memphis Public Libraries for over four years, was among those advocating for the referendum's passage. She said she has seen colleagues be dismissed without any protections, and that the change is long overdue.
She was excited by the prospect of having the ability to collectively organize and advocate for her job with a safety net.
"I have always wanted to work in a library. I love what they do for a community..." McKoon said. "This is absolutely what I want to do for the rest of my life, but I can't as things stand."
Lobbyist disclosure referendum
What you'll see it listed as on the ballot: City of Memphis Charter Referendum Ordinance No. 5977
Ballot language:
"Shall the Home Rule Charter of the City of Memphis, Tennessee, be amended to require the Memphis City Council, by ordinance, to create a lobbyist registration and disclosure process to ensure transparency and accountability?"
Voters can select "for the amendment" or "against the amendment."
What this means:
This referendum would mandate the Memphis City Council put a system in place requiring lobbyists to register with the City prior to interacting with the Council to "ensure transparency and accountability." It would likely require lobbyists to disclose their organizational ties.
The specifics of the system would be up to the Council, which would be required to draft and pass an ordinance setting it up. The City currently has no transparency measures in place for lobbying.
Civil service referendum
What you'll see it listed as on the ballot: City of Memphis Charter Referendum Ordinance No. 5978
Ballot language:
"Shall the City of Memphis Charter be amended to authorize the City Council, in consultation with the Mayor, to establish by ordinance uniform and comprehensive administrative procedures for disposition of appeals, as required by law, that may affect the employment status of a civil service employee, including the composition of boards, commissions and hearing panels with persons trained or experienced in labor and benefits matters?"
Voters can select "for the amendment" or "against the amendment."
What this means:
Similar to the library workers referendum, this initiative is also tied to the City's civil service system.
If approved, it would enable the Memphis Mayor and City Council to establish "administrative procedures for disposition of appeals" for decisions coming from the city's Civil Service Commission, a board that conducts hearings to review disciplinary actions of City employees.
The details of these new procedures would be ironed out by the mayor and Council.
See what the referendums will look like on a sample ballot
Annie Goldman covers government for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached at annie.goldman@commercialappeal.com or 901-930-7431, and followed on X @AnnieSGoldman.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis voters to decide on 3 charter amendments. Here's what they mean
