Memphis — Charter amendment: civil service appeal procedures (Ordinance No. 5978) (Shelby County)

What it does

"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 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?

A YES vote means

The Memphis City Council, consulting with the Mayor, could set by ordinance uniform procedures for appeals affecting civil service employees' jobs, including boards and hearing panels made up of people trained or experienced in labor and benefits matters.

A NO vote means

The charter would not be changed to give the City Council this authority over civil service appeal procedures.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Tennessee adds a second test for constitutional amendments: YES votes must also be more than half of the votes cast for governor, so leaving it blank works against it.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Background

This charter amendment was proposed by Referendum Ordinance No. 5978, sponsored by Councilman Carlisle through the Memphis City Council's Personnel and Governmental Affairs Committee, under Tennessee's home rule amendment (Article XI, Section 9 of the state constitution).

The ordinance was listed for third and final reading at the City Council's July 21, 2026 meeting; it would let the Council, in consultation with the Mayor, set by ordinance uniform procedures for appeals affecting civil service employees' employment status, including the makeup of boards and hearing panels.

Put on the ballot by Memphis City Council, third reading scheduled July 21, 2026 (Ordinance No. 5978; vote count not found in posted records).

From official source.

Next elections here

• Memphis election 2027 · October 7, 2027: Mayor and City Council
• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Shelby County ballots

• Memphis — Charter amendment: civil service exemptions (Ordinance No. 5966)
• Memphis — Charter amendment: lobbyist registration and disclosure (Ordinance No. 5977)

All Shelby County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Memphis mean?

The Memphis City Council, consulting with the Mayor, could set by ordinance uniform procedures for appeals affecting civil service employees' jobs, including boards and hearing panels made up of people trained or experienced in labor and benefits matters.

What does a NO vote on Memphis mean?

The charter would not be changed to give the City Council this authority over civil service appeal procedures.

How many votes does Memphis need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Tennessee adds a second test for constitutional amendments: YES votes must also be more than half of the votes cast for governor, so leaving it blank works against it.

Should I vote yes or no on Memphis?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.