Knoxville charter: majority winner in primary elected without runoff
Knoxville city · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
SHALL ARTICLE VII, SECTIONS 707(B) and 707(C) OF THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE BE AMENDED TO PROVIDE THAT IF A CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL RECEIVES A MAJORITY OF ALL VOTES CAST IN THE PRIMARY FOR THE DESIGNATED SEAT THE CANDIDATE SHALL BE DECLARED ELECTED WITHOUT THE NECESSITY OF A RUNOFF AND A CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION SHALL BE ISSUED TO SUCH CANDIDATE, ALL AS MORE FULLY SET FORTH IN ORDINANCE No. O-62-2026 OF THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE AS DULY PUBLISHED?
In plain language
A VoterDecoder summary of the official measure text.
This measure asks Knoxville voters to change the city charter so that a City Council candidate who wins a majority of all votes cast in the primary for a designated seat is declared elected without a runoff, and a certificate of election would be issued to that candidate. The full amendment text is set out in Ordinance O-62-2026, which was duly published. A YES vote adopts this change, so a primary majority winner for the designated seat is elected without a runoff. A NO vote means the charter is not amended this way.
Fiscal impact
The city's chief financial officer estimates the proposed charter amendment would cost $0. The statement gives only this cost estimate and no other financial effects.
Official explanation
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT
THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER'S COST ESTIMATE OF THE PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENT IS $0.
Official ballot arguments
No official arguments were filed for or against this measure.
What supporters and opponents say — outside sources (not official ballot arguments)
Statements by campaigns, officials and news coverage, quoted with attribution and linked to the original. VoterDecoder did not write them and does not endorse either side.
Supporters say
No public statements in favor were found.
Opponents say
No public statements against were found.