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If a bill that is headed to the desk of Gov. Bill Lee becomes law, which will likely happen, the May 3 election will be the last Morristown Municipal election that will allow city wide voting in ward-specific contests.

The bill – which was passed by the Senate this week – was created specifically to address city wide voting in Knoxville but other Tennessee cities that allow city wide voting in municipal races – like Morristown – will also be affected.

Currently Morristown has four wards, two at-large seats and a mayoral seat.

While the ward must be represented by a resident of that district, the entire city has an electoral say in who will fill that seat. The two at-large seats and the mayor’s office will remain city wide elections.

The issue came to the fore when Knox County Republicans balked at citywide voting in Knoxville City Council races.

Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon told Knoxville television station WBIR that she is disappointed with the state legislature’s decision to override their local decision-making.

“For more than 50 years, City residents have rightfully and responsibly managed our own elections and determined a fair and equitable process for choosing our elected City Council representatives,” she said in a statement. “Our voter-approved Home Rule Charter calls for district primary winners advancing to a citywide general election, and that has produced Councils that are engaged with and accountable to everyone in the City.”

The bill – which was co-sponsored by District 10 Representative Rick Eldridge – will bring the cities who have allowed city wide voting in district races in line with the rest of the state which moved away from city wide voting during the Civil Rights era when city wide voting was used as a way to dilute that African American vote.

Knoxville opponents of the change, however, point out that the current city council is the most diverse body in the city’s history.

Also, those who support the current system say it is beneficial for city leaders to have a city-wide view rather than focus specifically on a single ward.