WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 2704

Morristown - Subject to local approval, makes the elections for council members at-large elections; eliminates council wards. - Amends Chapter 103 of the Acts of 1903; as amended and rewritten.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Steve Southerland

SB 2704 would move Morristown council elections from wards to six at-large seats plus a citywide mayoral vote, with a two-thirds city council approval requirement.

Passed on Second Consideration, held on desk. Local Bill
#morristown
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 2704

Summary of SB 2704 (Session 114) — Morristown Elections at Large; Local Approval Required

Purpose and intent

  • This local bill proposes changes to how Morristown, Tennessee, conducts its municipal elections.
  • The core change is to shift council elections to at-large, citywide voting for six council seats (eliminating ward-specific elections), with the mayoral election remaining statewide within the city. The proposal requires local (city-level) approval to take effect.

Key provisions

Section 1: Eligibility and at-large council structure

  • Sets eligibility requirements for candidates:
    • Must be at least 21 years old by the election date (for both council members and the mayor).
    • Must be a citizen of Tennessee.
    • Must be a bona fide resident of Morristown for at least one year immediately preceding the election date.
  • Council structure:
    • There will be six distinct council seats (Council Seats 1–6).
    • All six council seats are elected by a citywide (at-large) vote from all voters in Morristown.
    • The mayor is a separate, citywide-elected position (also voted for by all voters in the city).

Section 2: Transition and term alignment

  • Transition timing for current and future terms:
    • For sitting officials representing the first and third wards and the at-large seat last elected in May 2021, terms extend until successors are elected and seated, with elections held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2026.
    • For sitting officials representing the second and fourth wards and the at-large seat last elected in May 2023, terms extend until successors are elected and seated, with elections held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2028.
  • Seat re-designation:
    • After transition, council seats are re-designated as follows:
    • First ward council member → Council Seat 1
    • Third ward council member → Council Seat 2
    • At-large member (elected in 2021) → Council Seat 3
    • Second ward council member → Council Seat 4
    • Fourth ward council member → Council Seat 5
    • At-large member (elected in 2023) → Council Seat 6
  • Transition seating:
    • Newly elected council members and/or mayor would be seated on the last Monday of November following elections, provided certification occurs by that date; if not, seating occurs on the next Monday after certification.

Section 3: Local approval requirement

  • This act has no effect unless approved by a two-thirds vote of the Morristown city legislative body (the city council). If approved, the act’s provisions become law in Morristown.

Section 4: Effective date

  • Effective upon becoming law for the purposes of approval, with other effects as described in Section 3.

Who would be affected

  • Current and future Morristown elected officials:
    • Council members and the mayor would be elected at-large rather than by ward (six council seats total plus the mayoral seat).
  • Voters in Morristown:
    • All registered voters within the city would vote for all six council seats and the mayor (citywide elections).
  • Administrative/municipal processes:
    • Election administration would shift to at-large campaigns and voting, with a transition plan for existing terms and seat designations.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Legislative path:
    • Local bill requiring a two-thirds approval of Morristown’s city council to take effect.
    • If approved domestically, the changes would apply according to the transition schedule.
  • Transition dates:
    • November 2026: Elections for seats 1–3 transitions occur for terms ending in the earlier cycle.
    • November 2028: Elections for seats 4–6 transition, aligning with later terms.
    • Transition seating occurs on the last Monday in November following certified elections; if certification is late, seating shifts to the following Monday.
  • Current status (as of action history):
    • Introduced and advanced through first and second readings on dates in 2026; local bill status indicates it is awaiting city-level approval to become law.

Summary

SB 2704 would convert Morristown’s council elections from ward-based to citywide at-large elections for six council seats, with the mayor also elected citywide. It sets eligibility requirements, reorganizes seat designations, and provides a transition framework for current officeholders. Crucially, the measure requires two-thirds approval by Morristown’s city council to take effect.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.