Memphis charter: civil service exemptions (Article 34)
Memphis city · November 3, 2026
The question on your ballot
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.'
In plain language
A VoterDecoder summary of the official measure text.
This measure asks Memphis voters to rewrite the civil service article, Article 34, Sec. 250, of the city's home rule charter. The new text has the Director of Personnel classify city positions and exempts listed officers and employees from civil service rules, such as elected officials and Board of Education and Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division staff. The Mayor, with City Council agreement, could exempt other positions, but not remove protection from anyone already covered. A YES vote adopts this text, while a NO vote means it is not adopted.
Fiscal impact
The city's Director of Finance certifies that the amendment will have no effect on annual city revenues or spending. The statement gives no other cost or savings estimate.
Official explanation
FINANCIAL IMPACT STATEMENT
I, Walter Person, Director of Finance for the City of Memphis, do hereby certify that the foregoing amendment shall have no impact on the annual revenues and expenditures of the City.
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.