MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It appears some members of the Memphis city council cannot stop themselves from wanting to tinker with next year's city election.
First, it was the unpopular idea to extend term limits for the council and mayor. Then, it was the plan to make city elections partisan. Both ideas went nowhere. Now, a new plan is being hatched.
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The Commercial Appeal first reported that the council may introduce another referendum - to return to runoffs in the mayor's race if a candidate doesn't get over 50 percent of the vote. If true, the question is, will there be enough time to get the measure on the Nov. 8 midterm election ballot?
And even if there is time, is it fair to force voters to make yet another rash decision that upends the city election process. I say no, it's not fair.
Runoffs for mayor were eliminated in 1991 after a federal judge ruled they were unconstitutional and designed to prevent a Black candidate from winning.
Since then, the city's demographics have shifted. Now, African Americans make up about 64 percent of the population and that very likely is the impetus for the runoff idea.
The truth is, far too many things in Memphis boil down to race - with politics at the top of the list. So I suggest the council tread lightly with this new idea and be careful what you ask for.