Opinion ID: 1058537
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Motion to Assume Jurisdiction

Text: On September 10, 2004, the City of Memphis (City) filed a motion pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 16-3-201 requesting that this Court assume jurisdiction of this appeal and render an expedited decision. The City asserted that this is a case of unusual public importance involving constitutional separation of powers issues. The City maintained that expediting the appeal is necessary to enable the Shelby County Election Commission to prepare and to distribute to military personnel by September 18, 2004, the ballots for the November 2, 2004, general election. This Court immediately ordered the parties to submit briefs addressing the following issues: (1) whether the Shelby County Election Commission and Commission Members (Commission) had the authority to refuse to place Referendum Ordinance No. 5072 on the November 2, 2004, ballot because they believed it to be unconstitutional; and (2) whether Referendum Ordinance No. 5072 is unconstitutional. Upon due consideration of the well-written and thorough briefs, prepared on short notice, [1] this Court finds that the City's motion is well taken. We agree with the City that this is a case of unusual public importance, presenting a special need for expedited decision and involving issues of constitutional law. See Tenn.Code Ann. § 16-3-201 (Supp.2003). Accordingly, we hereby grant the City's motion, assume jurisdiction of this appeal, and, as explained below, reverse the judgment of the trial court.