Tennessee Code Title 6. Cities and Towns § 6-20-111

(b)(1) Any ordinance to establish term limits for the mayor and board of commissioners of any municipality to which subsection (a) applies shall not become operative until approved in an election herein provided in the municipality. Upon the adoption of the ordinance, the mayor shall notify the county election commission to hold an election as provided in this subsection (b).

(2) After the receipt of a certified copy of such ordinance, the county election commission shall hold an election on the question pursuant to § 2-3-204, providing options to vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” the ordinance, and a majority vote of those voting in the election shall determine whether the ordinance is to be operative.

(3) If the majority vote is for the ordinance, it shall be deemed to be operative on the date that the county election commission makes its official canvass of the election returns; provided, however, that no term limits shall apply until the election of the mayor and board of commissioners held after the ordinance is operative.

(4) If the majority vote is against the ordinance, no further elections on the question of term limits shall be held until at least four (4) years have expired from the previous election and only after the board of commissioners adopts a new ordinance for such purposes in accordance with subsection (a).