Tenn. Code Ann. § 6-51-404: Merger - By petition and referendum

(a) Registered voters in each of the municipalities may petition for a referendum on the merger of the municipalities. The petition shall be signed by ten percent (10%) of the registered voters in each municipality. The petition shall list the municipalities seeking to merge and request a referendum on merging the municipalities, state the name of the proposed consolidated municipality, under which charter it will operate: mayor-aldermanic, chapter 1 of this title; city manager-commission, chapter 18 of this title; or one (1) of the charters of the merging municipalities, and may divide the proposed municipality into wards or districts if the charter provides for wards or districts. The petition shall be forwarded to the county election commission or commissions.

(b) Upon receipt of the petition and its verification, the county election commission or commissions shall proceed as provided in § 6-51-403(b)(1) and (2) . Section 6-51-403(b)(3) shall apply if the merger is approved.