Turner files suit to challenge Memphis mayoral residency requirements

The Memphis City Charter requires any candidate running for mayor to have lived within city limits for at least five years before the election date. Two candidates would like to see that requirement overturned.

On Friday, Van Turner, mayoral candidate and former Shelby County commissioner, became the second candidate in a week to challenge that residency requirement in court, joining current Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner in his opposition.

In November, 2022, Linda Phillips, Shelby County's administrator of election, asked for clarity around the residency requirement from Memphis City Council's attorney, Alan Wade.

Previous coverage:How long does someone need to live in Memphis to be mayor? It's complicated

Wade's opinion concluded the election commission should not disqualify a candidate based on questions about residency.

Turner's suit alleges that the election commission was dissatisfied with Wade's assessment, and sought a more favorable opinion through Attorney Robert Meyers.

"Interestingly, even though Allan Wade, attorney for the Memphis City Council, gave the same exact opinion in March of 2019, The Election Commission has decided to rely on Robert Meyers' letter to deny Mr.Turner an opportunity to run for Memphis mayor," the suit read.

The suit also questions the authority of Meyers' legal opinion as he is not employed by Memphis City Council and is not a sitting judge.

Neither case has an initial hearing date; it's likely both cases could be combined in the future.

This story will be updated.

Micaela Watts is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal who covers issues tied to access and equity. She can be reached at micaela.watts@commercialappeal.com.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Van Turner lawsuit against residency challenge for Memphis mayor race