I am writing regarding the District 9 race.  In a democracy, the majority of votes win the issue or election.  I believe that the voters have spoken in District 9 and that Mr. Hakeem has won the election by the majority of six votes.    

A run- off is meant for races that have more than two candidates.  There should not be a run off for this election.  Elections do not have do-overs because a candidate loses by several votes.   

Let us “move forward” as Mr. Murphy slogan says and began to fix the real problems of this city and let the principle of democracy prevail- majority wins.   

Jackie Thomas 

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I am writing regarding the District 9 race.   I don’t think there should not be a run-off.  I thought a run-off is held when there are three or more candidates and none win a majority of the votes.  Then another election between the two top vote getters is held; not when there are only two candidates.  

Elections should not be do-overs.  Regardless of it being six votes or six hundred votes, Mr. Hakeem won the election fair and square by the majority of votes between the two candidates.  Mr. Hakeem worked hard to campaign for the “votes of the people” of District 9.  His hard work paid off by winning.  Now let’s allow him to work hard for the concerns of the people. 

In a democracy you cannot override the majority… and the majority has spoken. Mr. Murphy’s campaign signs read Moving Forward, so let him be a man of his word and let’s move forward to fixing the real problems of this city.  Let the principle of democracy prevail.  Why waste taxpayers’ time and money on another election with the same two people. Let’s put the election behind us and move on. 

This isn’t the first close election in our democracy; it definitely won’t be the last.  

Robert Maddox 

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From reading the letters concerning the results in District 9 it appears that some people did not take simple math or civics in school. First of all, to set the record straight, we don't live in a democracy, but rather a representative republic. Second, not all elections require a majority of the votes to win an election, it depends upon the laws of the party or government entity conducting the election. For example current Governor Bill Haslam won 48 percent of the votes in the Republican primary in 2010. He was declared the winner even though he had a plurality of the votes rather than a majority which was all the party/state required. If Tennessee had required a majority there would have been a run-off between Haslam and which ever candidate finished second. 

The Chattanooga city law plainly requires a candidate for City Commission to get a majority of the votes cast plus one. If the seven votes cast for a write-in candidate are counted then Mr. Hakeem did not receive a majority of the votes. However there is some legitimate questions about a vote being cast or counted and that will be resolved in the courts where it should be. 

I personally favor requiring a candidate getting a majority of the vote or maybe at least 40-45 percent to eliminate the possibility that in a crowded field some wacko could get elected with a small plurality of the vote. 

Douglas Jones
North Chattanooga 

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In reference to the District 9 election: Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. I respect Mr. Murphy and I know it hurts to lose by such a small percentage. However, the voters have chosen Mr. Hakeem.  

There should not be a run-off for this election. Properly managed elections do not need to be rerun because the loser lost. The city has serious needs that must be addressed immediately. It is time for the leadership to cast off unnecessary distractions such as this and begin to lead.  

Mr. Hakeem campaigned diligently in the 9th District and it delivered.

DeAngelo Jelks