Last Saturday, League of Women Voters Members from across the state convened in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, for the LWVTN Spring Council. Members from the Nashville League were among those in attendance, and are pictured above.

Democracy is definitely not a spectator sport, and our recent events proved just how powerful it is when we dive in together. From learning about local growth with Nashville Property Assessor Vivian Wilhoite at our May Hot Topic, to helping our newest neighbors prep for their first U.S. vote, your energy has been inspiring.

With local congressional lines shifting due to redistricting and the August 6th election quickly approaching, we have a unique window right now to step up and keep our community informed and engaged.

We are looking for members to step into leadership roles to help steer the future of our League. If you're interested in volunteering or would like to learn more, email us at LWVNash@gmail.com. If you prefer a quick, high-impact way to connect with the community, you can join us on Sundays from 10 AM to 1 PM to register voters at the vibrant Amqui Station Farmers’ Market. 

We're also planning our Annual Meeting for next month. Please save the date for our Annual Meeting on Saturday, June 20th, at 11:00 AM at Casa Azafrán. 

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Make plans to join The League of Women Voters of Nashville's annual Meeting, Saturday, June 20, 2026 at Caza Azafran. This meeting will be in-person.

Nashville Property Assessor, Vivian Wilhoite was the featured speaker for our May Hot Topic Conversation. Assessor Wilhoite shared about the role of the property assessor, the property valuation process, and relevant property assessment trends. 

Rewatch the conversation through the link below.

The League of Women Voters of Nashville is looking for volunteers to help register voters on a Sunday from 10 am - 1 pm at Amqui Station Farmers’ Market. Sign up through the link below.

On Earth Day, Mayor Freddie O’Connell, several council members, and the Nashville Waste Services launched the city’s first foam recycling program. Davidson County residents can now take their packaging and food-service foam to East Convenience Center for foam recycling at no charge!

Remove tape, foil, or adhesives. Rinse food, drinks, and oils from any food-service foam.

Visit the foam recycling drop-off website to learn more about what foam you can and cannot bring.

Metro Council Dates: April 21 and May 7. Election Commission, April 16, State of Metro, April 29.

Voting/ Elections
Candidates for the August 6 election were confirmed and the ballot set at the April 21meeting. The absentee ballot request period opened on May 8.

Redistricting
During the recent special legislative session, lawmakers voted to redistrict 42 counties, including Davidson County. At least 3 lawsuits have been filed. The candidate submission deadline for the US Congress was reopened. Some candidates had already begun campaigning before their district lines were redrawn. Visit Nashville.gov/vote to find your new Congressional District. Your district may change, depending on lawsuits.

On April 16, Jayla Thomas contested her candidate petition rejection for Tennessee House District 55 on the Republican ticket. She was successful and will now be on the ballot. 42 signatures were submitted, but the Election Commission only verified 23. 25 signatures are required. Jayla was able to prove that 3 of the signers were legitimate voters. Thomas has recently moved to Nashville and has never voted in Tennessee.

May 5 Primary Election 
Davidson County Primary election results were certified at the May 13 meeting. 9% of registered voters voted.
Contested election results are as follows.
- Corletra Mance won Circuit Court Judge Division III with 15,804 votes out of 40,463, beating incumbent Glandorf by 1,142 votes.
- Dawn Deaner won Criminal Court Judge Division III with 15,016 votes out of 42,360 votes, beating incumbent Jim Todd by 640 votes.
- Jodie Bell, incumbent, won General Sessions Judge Division VI with 27,485 votes out of 41,016 votes, beating  Michael Robinson by 14,011 votes.
-Joseph Day, incumbent, won Circuit Court Clerk with 20,654 votes out of 40,983 votes, beating Howard Jones by 362 votes.

97 provisional ballots were cast, and 37 were accepted. The most common reason voters were not in the voter roll was that they had not provided their Social Security number on their voter
registration forms. 60 provisional ballots were rejected, primarily because they were not registered to vote in Davidson County.

The Davidson County Election Commission plans to send all voters new yellow voter registration cards in early July.
The Election Commission must have all assets ready for the August 6 election by June 22. That is when overseas ballots must be mailed by federal law. Per state law, absentee ballots must be sent by mail. Administrator Richardson affirmed he had sufficient staff support.

Public Health
Resolution 1959, recognizing May 11 -17, 2026, as Period Poverty Awareness Week in Nashville and Davidson County, was passed. Councilwoman Gadd requested $150K be put in the budget to place period products in all metro women's and unisex bathrooms. According to the Alliance for Period Supplies, approximately 40 percent of women and girls in the US struggle to afford adequate period supplies, which affects their ability to attend class or go to work. Local nonprofits have made period products available to residents at several MNPS buildings.

Affordability
Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell proposed cutting the grocery tax by a half cent in the 63rd State of Metro address on April 29.

Childcare
A bill passed, 1317, on 2nd reading, that amends laws about daycares. The definition of daycare was changed to contain 7 categories. The zoning areas where daycare is permitted were increased. The minimum lot size and number of required parking spaces were amended. Rules about fencing and noise continue. All state laws must be followed.

General
Bill 1361 passed 2nd reading, establishing an East Bank Design Review Committee within the Downtown Code (“DTC”). The 3rd reading will be on July 7. 

Bill 1254 regarding the disclosure of personalized algorithmic and dynamic pricing was passed on the 2nd reading, with the 3rd reading deferred until July 21.

Bill 1273 passed on 3rd and final reading, amending the DTC to add a new East Bend Subdistrict and amend various standards within the DTC associated with the new subdistrict. Many amendments were added, such as light and air standards instead of setbacks defining tower lengths and the amount of separation. The number of hotels was restricted. No additional stadiums may be added. A fire station is encouraged.

The Future of Metro Council
In February 2026, the Tennessee Supreme Court heard arguments regarding the reduction of the Metro Council. No decision has been made. From the Tennessean last February, “Madeline Clark, representing the state, outlined the possible outcomes from here based on how the court rules. If the law’s upheld, Nashville will have to amend its charter to reduce the size of the council. That process requires either a two-thirds vote of the council or a petition signed by 10% of registered voters and approved in a referendum election.
If that amendment fails, Clark said it would likely pull the city and state into further litigation “over what that means for the challenge to law and the authority of Metro Nashville’s Council.”

The initial state law was 2023. Metro elections repeat in 2027. To get 10% to vote on anything seems doubtful. Only 8.8% voted in the last election. It seems like even if the state wins its case, getting enough votes to get the change over the finish line could be a challenge. 

Black Maternal Health in Nashville, Tennessee: A Public Health Crisis
Black maternal health remains a critical and urgent issue in Nashville and across Tennessee, where significant racial disparities continue to impact pregnancy outcomes. Despite being home to nationally recognized healthcare systems, the region faces some of the most alarming maternal and infant health inequities in the United States.

Across Tennessee, Black women are disproportionately affected by pregnancy-related complications and deaths. Research indicates that Black women are approximately two to two-and-a-half times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. Additional reports from reproductive justice organizations show maternal mortality rates among Black women in Tennessee significantly exceed those of white women, reflecting a persistent racial health gap. Tennessee also ranks among the states with the highest maternal mortality rates nationally.

In Nashville specifically, disparities extend beyond maternal mortality and include severe inequities in infant health outcomes. Black infants in Davidson County die at more than twice the rate of white infants, demonstrating the close connection between maternal and infant health. Public health experts estimate that most pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, emphasizing failures in access to quality healthcare, timely interventions, and equitable treatment.

Several factors contribute to these disparities. Structural racism, implicit bias within healthcare systems, and unequal access to prenatal and postpartum care continue to affect Black mothers
disproportionately. Social determinants of health, including income inequality, housing instability, and limited access to healthy food and healthcare resources, also place Black women at higher risk for complications during pregnancy and childbirth.

Community organizations and healthcare advocates across Tennessee are working to address these inequities through culturally responsive care and policy reform. Initiatives supporting doulas, midwives, and community-based maternal healthcare programs have shown promise in improving outcomes for Black mothers. Local leaders continue advocating for expanded maternal healthcare coverage, improved provider training on implicit bias, and stronger
investments in preventive care.

In conclusion, Black maternal health in Nashville reflects a broader public health crisis rooted in systemic inequities. While ongoing initiatives are creating pathways toward improvement, the continued prevalence of preventable maternal and infant deaths highlights the urgent need for sustained policy action, equitable healthcare access, and community-centered support systems to protect the lives of Black mothers and their families.

References

Co-Presidents: Ophelia Doe and Kathryn Anderson

1st Vice Presidents: Karen Hernan and Ethel Detch

Secretary: Ethel Detch

Treasurer: Susan Mattson

Nominating Committee Members:

Betsy Walkup

Constance Caldwell

Hasina Mohyuddin

June Bond

Brenda Wynn

Portfolio Chairs

Communications: Yolonda Beech

Community Connections: Sabina Mohyuddin & Leona Edwards

Education: Dr. Patricia H. Brock and MaKenzie Mosby

Environment: Kelley Knott-Sandifer, Simone Chhut, Carynton Howard, and Catherine Price

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

Membership: Dylan Schlesinger

Metro Government:  Pat McCauley

Voter Services: Sue Johnson

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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