Early voting in the Chattanooga City elections has commenced. After the wall-to-wall coverage of national elections back in November, there’s a fatigue of sorts among voters. Yet the local elections are so very critical!
The upcoming Chattanooga City election on March 4 is rapidly approaching with ballots already being cast. Decisions on policies that impact our local economy, growth and stability of our community’s neighborhoods and businesses, as well as public safety, are just a few vital policy areas that are impacted by the election of the Chattanooga City Mayor and the City Council.
Early voting is available at the Hamilton County Election Commission off Amnicola Highway from 8 a.m. to 7 pm, Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. Two other sites include the Chris L. Ramsey, Sr. Community Center at 1001 S. Moore Road and the Hixson Community Center at 5401 School Drive from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday at both locations.
Absentee ballot applications are available for voters until Saturday, February 22.
Residents registered to vote in the Chattanooga City elections are required to reside within the city limits and be prepared to present some sort of identification to receive ballots. Sample ballots are available at the Hamilton County Elections Commission to assist you to research and recognize the names you’ll be able to support.
The offices with candidates who need your votes include the Chattanooga City Mayor, your respective member of the City Council as determined by your address, along with an ordinance that will significantly change the hiring practices of Chattanooga City Government.
The summary of “Ordinance No. 14168” for consideration by voters reads as follows: Shall Ordinance No. 14168 to amend the Charter of the City of Chattanooga be approved so that city employees are no longer required to be residents of the State of Tennessee, and by deleting Section 3.1.1 in its entirety which section now states: “All employees of the city shall be residents of the State of Tennessee. This section 3.1.1 shall only apply to those employees working in general government of the city. Those employees who were hired on or before January 18, 1990, and who have lived outside the State of Tennessee continuously since said date, shall be exempted from this section 3.1.1.”
Voters will be asked to darken the oval that corresponds to either their support, “For the Amendment,” or in opposition to its passage by marking, “Against the Amendment.”
The current policy and practice of Chattanooga City Government is to employ workers who reside within the city limits of the Scenic City. Several factors are impacting this decision to alter that statute within Chattanooga’s City Charter, such as the increasing cost of housing within the city limits, as well as the desire for parents to access various schools throughout Hamilton County.
Be informed. Be active in your local elections. The strength of our community depends upon it!