Election commission approves petition to repeal same-sex benefits in Chattanooga

The Hamilton County Election Commission approved a petition, giving opponents the green light to start collecting signatures to request the domestic partner benefit be put forth as a referendum vote.

If enough signatures are collected the City Council will have to repeal the ordinance or the question will go to the public on the August ballot.

Hamilton County Election Commission Chairman Mike Walden today stopped in mid-meeting a discussion for a referendum to approve a petition to repeal Chattanooga's new domestic partners benefits ordinance.

The state requested that the commission meet this morning to approve or deny the petition for a referendum on the issue. There is a two-week deadline to collect the signatures.

Walden stopped the meeting to demand answers from the city attorney's office on the ordinance. There was no representative from the city attorney's office at the meeting, and the office was notified someone was needed.

The meeting is set to resume in 30 minutes

Upcoming Events