Our Nominating Committee will begin seeking candidates for Board service next month and we hope you’ll consider stepping forward! Serving on the Board is a unique opportunity to shape the direction of our League, amplify our voice, and play a meaningful role in defending and strengthening our democracy. If you’re passionate about civic engagement and ready to make a deeper impact, this is your moment to get involved. Email us at LWVNash@gmail.com to learn more.

The League of Women Voters of Nashville hosted a meet-and-greet with Davidson County Administrator of Elections John D. Richardson and Election Commission Chairman Will Burns for the April Hot Topic. Administrator Richardson spoke about the work that goes into running a successful election and answered questions from attendees regarding election integrity and civic education.

Administrator Richardson wrote a note (pictured above), thanking the League for the invitation and our continued work to strengthen civic engagement. 

New Citizens Get Ready for Their First Elections

The League of Women Voters of Nashville partnered with Nashville International Center for Outreach (NICE) for a voter information session on March 25.  Community Connections Co-Chair, Sabina Mohyuddin, addressed about 20 new citizens who were active voters in their home countries and were eager to participate in their first US election. They learned more about federal, local, and state elected offices and which offices were on the May 5, August 6 and November 3 ballots in Tennessee. They learned what to bring when voting and were even able to practice voting on a voting machine!

Another voter information session with NICE is scheduled for June 17, 2026.

Vanderbilt University is gathering leaders and innovators from all disciplines to participate in conversations to model civil discourse in action. These conversations will be real dialogue that moves beyond sound bites and performance to tackle some of the most pressing issues of our time and bring curiosity and conversation back to the public square. 

We will explore how listening, understanding, and learning how to “disagree” and “agree” with nuance, evidence, and civility can shape a stronger, more connected future. Sessions run from March to April.

YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee has kicked off its 2026 Racial Justice Challenge: Democracy in Progress—presented by the Harnisch Foundation and supported by Nissan Foundation.

To mark 250 years of American democracy, YWCA is taking a closer look at both the progress that's been made and the work still ahead. Sign up to learn, reflect, and take action toward a more just and inclusive democracy through the link below.

Please join the Nashville League for a conversation with Nashville Property Assessor Vivian Wilhoite.

Learn more about the role of the property assessor, the property valuation process, and relevant property assessment trends during the May Hot Topic. 

This past month has been a powerful reflection of our League in action. From our April Hot Topic discussion—where community members engaged directly with local election leaders on the realities of running secure, transparent elections—to our Community Connections work supporting new citizens as they prepare to participate in their first U.S. elections, the impact of our efforts continues to grow. These moments highlight the importance of education, engagement, and access in strengthening our democracy, and they are only possible because of your commitment and involvement.

As we enter election season, we encourage everyone to stay informed about what’s on the ballot. Resources like Vote411 provide helpful, nonpartisan information on candidates, issues, and key dates, including early voting and Election Day on May 5. Taking time to learn about the ballot is an important step in participating in our democratic process.

As we look ahead, we also turn our focus to sustaining this important work. Next month, our Nominating Committee will begin seeking candidates for Board service, and we will need members ready to step into these leadership roles. Serving on the Board is a unique opportunity to help guide the League’s future, expand our reach, and deepen our impact in the community. If you are passionate about civic engagement and ready to take that next step, we encourage you to reach out and learn more by emailing us at LWVNash@gmail.com.

Join the League of Women Voters of Nashville for our May Hot Topic, a Conversation with Nashville Property Assessor, Vivian Wilhoite. Learn more about the role of the property assessor, the property valuation process, and relevant property assessment trends during the May 1 Hot Topic. All are welcome to attend!

Join the LWVN Public Health Committee in writing letters to Tennessee Legislators urging them to protect Tennesseans against harmful policies that will make it harder to access basic necessities, and for legislation at the local, state, and federal level that safeguards access to healthcare coverage and nutrition.

Metro Council Dates: 3/17/26 & 4/7/26 Elec on Commission date 3/24/26 

Voting/ Elections
Berry Hill Municipal election results were certified. 93 ballots were cast.  5 early voted. 4 absentees voted. 84 voted on Election Day. 1 provisional ballot was not counted, but the person was registered for the next election.  Andrew S. Rusnak received 51 votes, and Dennis Sheffield received 41, and retained their seats on the Berry Hill Board of Commissioners. The question was raised as to why the Berry Hill election is not combined with other elections. The answer- it is a local decision, and Berry Hill must request it. It was stated that Berry Hill pays for the election.

March 13 was the deadline to qualify for the state primary election on August 6.  Jayla Thomas for House District 55 did not qualify. She did not have the 25 required signatures approved. She is challenging this result.  The meeting for that was on April 16. The meeting video can be viewed here.

Affordable Housing/ Unhoused
A resolution was passed, 1840, that appropriates $1,500,000 to The Hospitality Hub of Memphis. The resolution also amends an interim housing services grant contract between the Office of Homeless Services (“OHS”) and The Hospitality Hub of Memphis for the operation of interim housing and case management services at 95 Wallace Road in Nashville.  

The contract, approved by Resolution No. RS2025-973, states that The Hospitality Hub of Memphis provides case management, resource referral, and housing navigation for 80 to 120 residents of 95 Wallace Road. These services include engaging residents of encampments selected by the Continuum of Care Prioritization team for housing surges, as well as onboarding encampment residents into interim housing as specified by OHS. The Hospitality Hub of Memphis was previously appropriated $2,469,671 for this work. 

Bill 1315 passed on second reading. This bill creates a permit prioritization program to provide expedited permitting for development projects for day care and affordable housing. Under the program, qualifying projects would be reviewed in advance of other applications, outside of chronological order. This would not be an expedited review process. 

Public Safety/ Transportation/ Traffic / Police
The "Subterranean Transportation on Infrastructure Coordination Act" advances in the state legislature, which will be in charge of overseeing any underground transportation projects in Tennessee, with the only current such project being the Music City Loop. Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) and Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlesville), the legislation would create the Subterranean Transport Authority on Infrastructure Coordination Authority, which would be responsible for resolving disputes, hearing appeals, and “exercising the powers necessary to facilitate the construction, operation, and maintenance of a transit project.” An amendment was passed that would cut the authority down to three employees, down from Johnson’s original proposal to hire 20 people at a $5 million cost to the state. This change helped bring the bill’s fiscal note down to just below $900,000 annually, though the sponsors argue that the project will result in increased state and local tax revenues that will offset the cost. 

General
A bill to give a credit to water customers due to the January storm failed on the third and final reading on 4/7/26. The previous question was called, so there was no discussion. On second reading, there was some discussion as to the wisdom of taking funds from the Water company, when Metro Action Commission might be the better place to source help with utility bills, which gets funding from various sources, including federal grants.

2 bills were deferred to 4/21 and referred back to committee 1273 & 1284 to amend the Downtown Code (DTC) to add a new East Bend Subdistrict and amend various standards within the DTC associated with the new subdistrict. This is in response to controversy regarding rezoning some land parcels on the East Bank, such as the old Steiner Liff property, to Downtown Zoning. 

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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