Memphis — Charter amendment: civil service exemptions (Ordinance No. 5966) (Shelby County)

What it does

"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 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 judgment 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.'

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).

Official text: source

Background

Memphis City Council approved Ordinance No. 5966, a referendum ordinance to amend Article 34, Section 250 of the Home Rule Charter, on third and final reading February 24, 2026, according to the council minutes.

The minutes describe its purpose as amending the classification of employees of the Memphis and Shelby County Public Library to allow civil service status.

The vote was 10 in favor, with Councilmember Carlisle voting no; Councilmembers Logan and White did not cast a vote. The ordinance was sponsored by Councilmembers Smiley, Canale, Cooper-Sutton, Easter-Thomas, Ford, Green, Spinosa, Swearengen-Washington, Walker and Warren.

Put on the ballot by Memphis City Council, 10-1, February 24, 2026 (Ord. No. 5966; two members did not vote).

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: lobbyist registration and disclosure (Ordinance No. 5977)
• Memphis — Charter amendment: civil service appeal procedures (Ordinance No. 5978)

All Shelby County races and measures →

Quick answers

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.