Chattanoogans will determine who leads their city for the next four years today as elections are held for the offices of mayor and City Council.
Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In order to claim victory in an election, a candidate must win a 50 percent plus one vote majority. Runoff elections will be held April 9, if necessary.
The new mayor and council will be sworn in April 15.
On the ticket for Chattanooga mayor are candidates Andy Berke, Chester Heathington Jr. and Guy Satterfield.
The winner succeeds Mayor Ron Littlefield.
In District 1, voters will decide between Jim Folkner, Pat Hagan, Chip Henderson and Tom McCullough in the race to fill the seat being vacated by Councilwoman Deborah Scott.
In District 2, voters will choose between Jerry Mitchell, Priscilla Simmons and Roger Tuder. The winner will represent the seat being vacated by Councilwoman Sally Robinson.
In District 3, Councilwoman Pam Ladd and Ken Smith are on the ballot.
In District 4, voters will determine the outcome of a five-way race between candidates Councilman Jack Benson, Larry Grohn, Ryan King, Scott McColpin and Tom Tomisek.
Councilman Russell Gilbert is running for re-election to his seat unopposed in District 5, as is Councilwoman Carol Berz in District 6.
In District 7, candidates Chris Anderson, Karl Epperson, Councilman Manny Rico and Tramble Stephens will be on the ballot.
In District 8, voters will have the option of casting ballots for either Moses Freeman or Councilman Andraé McGary.
Finally, in District 9, voters will pick between Yusuf Hakeem and Councilman Peter Murphy to represent the district.
To view a sample ballot, click here.
For a list of polling locations, click here.
And to view detailed profiles of candidates on the Keen Citizen interactive voter guide, click here.
Updated @ 3:45 p.m. on 4/9/13 to correct a factual error: The new city government leaders will be sworn into their posts April 15, not April 19, as originally reported.
