Knoxville voters have the chance to decide future city elections by choosing who can vote for city council candidates.

Should every voter be able to influence every member of the city council? Or should only voters in a specific district choose their own representation?

Here’s what you need to know about the two referendum questions Knoxville residents will see on their ballots.

What does question 1 of the Knoxville referendum say?

Here is the exact wording on the ballot:

IS ARTICLE IV, SECTION 404 OF THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE CHARTER, TITLED “SAME – TERMS OF COUNCIL MEMBERS” AMENDED TO ALIGN THE FIFTH DISTRICT COUNCIL WITH THE OTHER DISTRICT COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR A TERM OF TWO YEARS COMMENCING ON DECEMBER 18, 2027 AND ENDING ON DECEMBER 15, 2029 AND THEREFORE SERVE FOR FOUR-YEAR TERMS, ALL AS MORE ADVISED IN ORDINANCE NO. O-97 2024 OF THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE AS DULY PUBLISHED ?

What does a “yes” mean?

Currently, the Fifth City Council District seat is not up for election at the same time as the other five numbered seats.

Selecting “for the amendment” aligns the Fifth District elections with the other five.

What does “no” mean?

The Fifth District seat will continue to be up for re-election in years when voters choose the mayor, at-large seats and municipal judge.

What does question 2 say in the Knoxville referendum?

Here is the exact wording on the ballot:

ARTICLE IV, SECTIONS 401 AND 402, AND ARTICLE VII, SECTIONS 704 AND 707 OF THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE CHARTER SHALL BE AMENDED TO ELECT SIX (6) MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL REGIONAL COUNCIL USING REGIONAL RESIDENCE AS A QUALIFICATION FOR REGIONAL CANDIDATES AND THREE (3) CITYWIDE COUNCIL MEMBERS AND ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROCESS FOR PRIMARY AND REGULAR COUNCIL MEMBERS ELECTIONS PURSUANT TO PUBLIC CHAPTER 391, LAWS OF 2023, ALL AS MORE ADVISED IN THE ORDINANCE No. O-98-2024 OF THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE AS DULY PUBLISHED?

Selecting “for the amendment” means that every voter will be able to vote for every member of the Knoxville City Council and that every council member will represent every resident. Candidates must reside in the constituency they represent.

Supporters say That means neighbors will have more say in city council decisions, while opponents say it could lead to one party having too much power.

Of the two options, this option is most similar to Knoxville’s current (unconventional) system, which has been banned by the state legislature.

Selecting “against the amendment” means that only residents of a specific district will vote in Knoxville City Council elections in that district. Each council member will only represent their own district.

Proponents of this option say this is the best way to ensure minority representation on the board. District-only elections typically produce candidates who focus on neighborhood issues. Opponents of this system say council members won’t be incentivized to care about districts they don’t represent.

How did we get here?

The sudden need for change comes from outside the city.

State Rep. Elaine Davis, a Republican who represents Knox County but does not live in Knoxville, sponsored successful legislation in 2023 banning the city’s election system. It’s unique: Council members are nominated in primary elections by members of their district, but the entire city can elect them in regular elections.

Knoxville must put any charter amendments to voters on a ballot only in even years like this one.

Knoxville’s next municipal election will be held in August.

Allie Feinberg reports politics for Knox News. Email her: [email protected] and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @alliefeinberg

This article originally appeared on the Knoxville News Sentinel: Knoxville referendum questions: Check a sample ballot and what to know