§ 15.03. Elections subsequent to vacancies.

A.

Whenever a vacancy in the office of mayor shall exist more than twelve (12) months prior to the expiration of the term, a special election shall be held in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated section 2-14-102.

B.

Whenever a vacancy in the office of vice mayor shall exist more than twenty-four (24) months prior to the expiration of the term, a special election shall be held in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated section 2-14-102.

C.

Whenever a vacancy in the office of district council member shall exist more than eight (8) months prior to the expiration of the term, a special election shall be held in accordance with Tennessee Code Annotated section 2-14-102.

D.

Whenever a vacancy in the office of councilmember-at-large shall exist, no special election shall take place and the office shall remain vacant for the remainder of the term.

E.

Whenever a special election is called for by this section, such special election shall be ordered by the county commissioners of elections and they shall give notice thereof as provided by Tennessee Code Annotated section 2-14-105.

F.

If in such a special election to fill a vacancy for the unexpired term of the office of mayor, no candidate shall receive a majority of all the votes cast for such office, a runoff election shall be held five (5) weeks subsequent to the first special election to fill a vacancy in accordance with the provisions hereinbefore set forth in the case of a general metropolitan election. In the event that the date prescribed for the runoff election falls on a major holiday or creates other major logistical concerns, the Election Commission shall be empowered to schedule the election no more than two days prior to the prescribed date.

G.

If in such a special election to fill a vacancy for the unexpired term of the office of vice mayor or district council member no candidate shall receive a majority of all the votes cast for such office, a runoff election shall be held in the manner prescribed in Part F of this section.

H.

The provisions of section 15.01 hereof with respect to voting in general metropolitan elections and with respect to qualifying as a candidate shall apply to special elections at which time a vacancy is filled.

I.

Any unfilled vacancy in existence at the time of the adoption of this amendment, and any subsequent vacancy, shall be subject to the provisions of this section.

(Amended by Res. No. 65-670, § 1, 7-6-65; Res. No. 88-526, § 28, 10-4-88; amended by referendum petition approved August 2, 2007; amended by Res. No. RS2018-1314 (Amdt. B), referendum election November 6, 2018, Amdt. 3)

Editor's note— In addition to the legislation given in the history note, § 15.03 was amended in its entirety by virtue of a referendum petition approved November 8, 1994, and amended again at a referendum election held November 5, 1996.