During a special meeting of the Shelby County Election Commission on Tuesday, the board announced that the various gun rights referendums would not be placed on Memphis voters’ ballots in November.
Commissioner Mark Luttrell said the state elections coordinator has instructed the election commission not to allow the referendums. Luttrell said litigation is expected and election commissioners are not permitted to answer questions on the matter.
Luttrell said questions should be directed to “the coordinator’s office.”
Election Commissioner Linda Phillips released a statement following the meeting reiterating Luttrell’s comments during the meeting:
“The City of Memphis has requested that a referendum on a charter amendment be placed on the ballot. However, the State Election Coordinator has advised us in a letter that this ordinance may be overridden by state law. The State Election Coordinator is guiding us in the conduct of the election and we will follow his instructions. Should the City of Memphis decide to challenge this interpretation, we will respect the final decision of the courts.”
The special meeting began at 11 a.m. Tuesday, but quickly adjourned into a board meeting. After the board meeting, the commissioners returned and several members of the public urged the commissioners to keep the referendums on the ballot. After the public hearing concluded, Luttrell made a brief speech on the matter and adjourned the meeting.
Several members of the public spoke during the meeting, including Alex Hensley, who previously worked for Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris’ campaign, and State Rep. Justin J. Pearson. Amber Sherman, speaking on behalf of Black Voters Matter, said that affirming the referendums would allow the voices of Memphis citizens to be heard.
Hensly and Sherman also said the state’s threat to cut sales tax revenue was illegal.
“To put it more clearly, they are pushing unconstitutional measures because they believe they know better than we do what our community needs. They are assuming ignorance on the part of voters. And that is not only offensive, it is wrong,” Hensley said. “Frankly, they are making things up to push a political agenda at the expense of our democracy. We cannot trust what comes from the leadership of this House.”
