Early voters are overwhelming in support of a "ban the box" amendment to Chattanooga's city charter.
The amendment calls for eliminating the requirement to be a registered Tennessee voter or eligible to vote in Tennessee when applying for a job with the city. Generally, anyone with a felony criminal record cannot register to vote.
Voters cast 22,294 early ballots in favor of the amendment and 7,362 early ballots against it.
"I think it [the vote] shows this community is for affording people a second change if they feel they are deserving," Councilman Yusuf Hakeem said. Hakeem has long championed the measure.
Chattanooga voters also approved an amendment to remove the city council management analyst position from the city charter, with 22,441 early ballots cast in favor and 6,533 early ballots against.
Prior to the amendment, the Chattanooga charter required the council to appoint a management analyst to review contracts and provide financial and budget reports. The position has been vacant since February.
"This will allow the City Council more flexibility in selecting staff for its needs," Councilman Chris Anderson said.