Memphis — Charter amendment: lobbyist registration and disclosure (Ordinance No. 5977) (Shelby County)

What it does

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?

A YES vote means

The Memphis City Council would be required to create, by ordinance, a lobbyist registration and disclosure process.

A NO vote means

The charter would not require the City Council to create a lobbyist registration and disclosure process.

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

According to Memphis City Council agendas, Referendum Ordinance No. 5977, sponsored by Councilman Carlisle, would amend the city charter under the Tennessee Constitution's Home Rule Amendment to set lobbyist registration and disclosure requirements and submit the change to voters.

The ordinance was listed for first reading on June 23, 2026 and for third and final reading on July 21, 2026, through the Personnel & Governmental Affairs Committee.

Per the ballot question, the amendment would require the City Council to create the registration and disclosure process by ordinance.

Put on the ballot by Memphis City Council (Referendum Ordinance No. 5977).

From official source 1, official source 2.

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: civil service appeal procedures (Ordinance No. 5978)

All Shelby County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Memphis mean?

The Memphis City Council would be required to create, by ordinance, a lobbyist registration and disclosure process.

What does a NO vote on Memphis mean?

The charter would not require the City Council to create a lobbyist registration and disclosure process.

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.