The Tennessee State & Federal Primary, County General, and Oak Hill Municipal Election will be on August 6, 2026. July 7 was the deadline to register to vote in the August 6 elections. Early voting began July 17 and runs through August 1.

Brought to you by the League of Women Voters Education Fund, VOTE411 is the League’s one-stop shop where you can find all the information you need to cast your ballot. Check your voter registration, find your polling place, learn about candidates, and more through the link below.

Thank you, nominations committee and members, for placing your trust in me to lead our Nashville Chapter over the next twelve months, July 2026-June 2027. Past co-presidents, Ophelia Doe and Kathryn Anderson, have equipped me with resources and tools to support the chapter’s cadence for meetings, Hot Topic sessions, networking events and collaboration with like-minded community groups. Our paid staff members, Tracy Depp, Kalen Russell and Emma Johnson, are reliable resources keeping all of us afloat. I wish to express my thanks to the board members who were available for our July 9 Zoom meeting.

In August, we will remember the historic approval of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote. The year was 1920. According to the LWV-USA webpage, “A package of documents from the state of Tennessee had arrived by train in Washington, DC around 4 .a.m. It included the official ratification document from the state legislature. The US Secretary of State, Bainbridge Colby, certified
the document and signed a proclamation behind closed doors at 8 a.m. at his own house in Washington DC.” There is a story about the lack of fanfare for the historic event. It involves Alice Paul and Carrie Catt, rivals at the time, but sisters in the fight to secure women’s voting rights. If you were fortunate to see the play, Suffs, you might remember a reference to these impressive suffragettes.

Our chapter will be reaching out to membership to continue to ask for your engagement of time and talent. Please keep vigilant with the LWV Nashville website, Facebook, and TikTok. You will see familiar faces as well as long-term members who care deeply about voter engagement, issues our state league need our support with and important conversations that affect change, improvement, and lifestyle in Davidson County. I truly value each member’s commitment to the League. All of us can work with intention to improve citizen engagement, starting with our family and friends, and then widening our influence, among others.

In the spirit of patriotism and belief all citizen’s votes matter,
Karen Hernan

General
Two boards, one airport: The newly seated Metro Nashville Airport Authority Board is moving to withdraw from a lawsuit filed by a different version of the same board last month. Republicans in the state legislature passed a law taking over the majority of appointments to several airport authorities after an earlier attempt aimed only at Nashville's airport authority was bogged down in litigation. New appointees by Gov. Bill Lee, House Speaker Cameron Sexton and Senate Speaker Randy McNally were seated effective July 1, and they held a special meeting where they passed a resolution expressing their opposition to the lawsuit. Metro and the old airport board, made up entirely of mayoral appointees, filed the lawsuit, citing federal law requiring a sponsoring organization's consent for transfer of control of an airport. A hearing is scheduled in August.

Budget
Metro Nashville starts its new budget year on July 1 with another year of the mayor's Community Improvement Program for better schools, reliable services, and overall safety.

Later this fall, following state approval, we'll all start saving as much on our grocery bills as we're chipping in to pay for Choose How You Move thanks to Mayor O'Connell's budget.

The tax cut returns about $9 million to taxpayers at a time when we're facing increasing prices in most areas. Nashville's local option sales tax on groceries will drop by a half-cent to 1.75% and will apply to everything from milk and bread to produce, protein, and pantry staples.

More Voucher issues have surfaced regarding monies to students with disabilities and how it is spent to purchase educational materials and other resources without using personal money. It seems parents have been transferring a portion of the Voucher money into FSA accounts for that purpose. The new clause was added to the bill stating that the money could not be used separately.  

Staying Safe in the Heat: A Public Health Priority
Protecting Nashville’s Most Vulnerable Residents

As summer temperatures rise across Nashville, extreme heat is becoming a serious public health concern. While anyone can experience heat-related illness, older adults, young children, people
with chronic health conditions, outdoor workers, and individuals experiencing homelessness are at the greatest risk.

For our unhoused neighbors, access to air conditioning, clean drinking water, and shade is often limited, making extreme heat especially dangerous. Prolonged exposure can lead to dehydration,
heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and other life-threatening conditions.

Metro Nashville responds to dangerous heat by activating heat patrols and working with community partners to distribute water, cooling supplies, and transportation to cooling centers. Local organizations, including Room In The Inn and The Salvation Army, also provide daytime cooling spaces, hydration, and outreach services during extreme heat events.

You can help by checking on vulnerable neighbors, donating bottled water, or cooling supplies to local outreach organizations, volunteering with community partners, and sharing information
about available cooling resources.

Extreme heat is more than a weather event; it is a health equity issue. Every Nashvillian deserves access to safe shelter, clean water, and protection from dangerous temperatures. As members of
the League of Women Voters, we can support policies that promote public health, expand affordable housing, and strengthen community resilience for our most vulnerable residents.

Local Heat Resources

Residents can find current information on heat patrols, cooling resources, and emergency response through Metro Nashville’s Office of Emergency Management and the Metro Office of Homeless Services. During periods of dangerous heat, these agencies regularly update available cooling locations and outreach services.

If you encounter someone experiencing signs of heat stroke, including confusion, loss of consciousness, hot dry skin, or seizures, call 911 immediately. For non-emergency community assistance and connections to local resources, and more information on cooling centers and heat response resources, visit Metro Nashville’s Office of Emergency Management or call 211 for help.

On Wednesday, September 9, at the Music City Center in Nashville, ThinkTennessee, will bring together state and local elected officials, policy experts, and business and nonprofit partners for a day of meaningful conversation on the issues shaping Tennessee’s future. 

Super Early Bird tickets are available now through the end of May and can be purchased through the link below.

Presidents: Karen Hernan

1st Vice Presidents: 

Secretary: 

Treasurer: Susan Mattson

Nominating Committee Members:

Betsy Walkup

Constance Caldwell

Hasina Mohyuddin

June Bond

Brenda Wynn

Portfolio Chairs

Communications: Yolonda Beech

Education: Dr. Patricia H. Brock

Environment: Carynton Howard and Catherine Price

Health Care/Public Health:  Harper-Grace Niedermeyer and Ashudee Kirk 

Membership: Dylan Schlesinger

Metro Government:  Pat McCauley

Voter Services: Kathleen Carlson

Williamson County Representative:  June Bond

Nominating Committee Chair: Senator Brenda Gilmore 

LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS NASHVILLE
Box 158369, Nashville, Tennessee 37215

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contact@lwvnashville.org

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