TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Mar 13, 2023

Just days after Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill that will cut Nashville's council in half, the city has filed a lawsuit against the state claiming the law violates the Tennessee Constitution and the rights of Davidson County voters. It also has filed a motion for injunction, asking the court to halt the law’s implementation to allow local elections in August to proceed as originally planned. In the suit, Metro argues the new law dismantles the government established by voters when Davidson County and Nashville consolidated in the early 1960s, violating the home rule amendment of the state Constitution. The suit also argues that the statute's proposal to extend current council members' terms should Metro not meet a May 1 redistricting deadline violates a state constitution provision mandating four-year terms for county legislators. The suit will be heard by a panel of three judges. The Tennessean has more on the issue.