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Chris Anderson recall bid advances as his opponents can begin collecting signatures

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By Joy Lukachick Smith 3 min read

photo Chris Anderson

QUESTION ON THE PETITIONShall Councilman Chris Anderson who represents the Seventh District of the City of Chattanooga be recalled?

Despite District 7 Chattanooga Councilman Chris Anderson’s complaint that the recall effort to unseat him is unconstitutional, election officials gave residents approval on Thursday to start collecting signatures on a petition.

Hamilton County Election Commission board members contend it wasn’t their job to address why District 7 residents want to recall Anderson, the first openly gay councilman in Chattanooga.

The commission only has the authority to decide whether the petition follows state and local statutes, but commissioners agreed that the current ordinance is so vague that one could potentially recall an elected official for anything.

“It’s one of the most vague, overbroad statues,” said board member Jerry Summers. “If Mr. Anderson likes vanilla ice cream and Mr. Wysong [helping with the recall effort] likes strawberry, that might be enough.”