KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Knoxville City Council elections currently start with district-only primaries which then move onto a citywide election. A new state law passed last year means that system must change.
In an 8-to-1 vote, city council chose to present an at-large for all system before voters in November. If approved, it would let voters cast ballots in primary and general elections for all city council seats. If the at-large system is not approved, voters would only be able to elect the city council representative in their district for both the primary and general elections.
District 15 State Representative Sam McKenzie and Dr. Theotis Robinson Jr., a former city councilmember and first Black undergraduate to attend the University of Tennessee , sit on opposite sides of the issue.
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“This is a bad amendment that I am extremely concerned about,” Rep. McKenzie said.
“I think City Council should be accountable to everyone within the community within the city at large,” Robinson said.