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| The Nashville Voter
Volume 77, No 8
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| Welcome to this issue of the LWVN Voter. You'll notice that the Emma page design allows you to access the LWVN Calendar by pressing a button at the top of the page!
Please note, you can increase your screen size within your personal information manager (i.e., Microsoft Outlook). In the Microsoft Outlook Message Bar at the top of the e-mail page, choose "Other Actions'' and then in the dropdown menu choose "Zoom." The Zoom window allows you to increase the file size; try 140% for easier onscreen reading.
Also, please note that if you want to share/forward this newsletter to others, you MUST click on the envelope icon at the upper right side of this emailed version.
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League Calendar2024 Annual Advocacy Conference: Pursuing Health Justice: Charting the Parth, Staying the Course. August 24th 10:00am-4:00pm at Jubilee Banquet Facility. The Tennessee Health Care Campaign is hosting their Annual Advocacy Conference. This year's theme is Sustaining the Movement Towards Health Equity. Click here to learn more.
Choose How You Move Nashville Transit Plan. August 27th at 6:00pm-7:00pm at Midtown Fellowship Church (Granny White Campus). Metro staff will be deliver a presentation on the Transportation Improvement Plan. Learn more about the plan here.
Hot Topics September: The Nashville Banner and Campaign Finance. September 6th at 12:00pm-1:00pm via Zoom. In the presentation, they will explain what the Banner is, show the Metro, state, and federal campaign finance databases, and discuss the differences Sarah has observed in campaign finance across the various states where she has worked. Additionally, they will cover some interesting campaign finance cases from recent Nashville and Tennessee history. Register here.
League of Women Voters of Williamson County Hosts Dr. Laura Seay for 2024 Election Update. September 18, 2024 from 1:00pm - 3:00pm. The League of Women Voters of Williamson County invites everyone to hear Dr. Laura Seay give an update on the 2024 elections. Dr. Seay is a research associate at the University of Pretoria's African Centre for the study of the United States. Seay grew up in Franklin and earned a PhD in government from the University of Texas at Austin. She is a freelance consultant for international, governmental, and nongovernmental organizations. She also works with academic organizations on their public engagement strategies, drawing on her nine years of experience as an editor at The Monkey Cage, the political blog of The Washington Post. Seay's writing has appeared in numerous outlets, including The Atlantic, Foreign Affairs, and Politico. She provides frequent commentary for media outlets, including Marketplace, The New York Times, and PBS NewsHour. Register here.
Rally at the Valley. September 21st from 1:00pm-5:00pm at the Centennial Park Bandshell. The Environment Committee invites you to attend the rescheduled 'Rally for the Valley' event! Earlier this year, extreme weather conditions—fueled by climate change—forced us to postpone, but the Tennessee Valley Authority's push for massive gas buildouts continues undeterred. Now more than ever, it's crucial that we come together to make our voices heard. Let's give TVA a wake up call to stop gas buildout and lead the way to a fossil-free future!
2024 LWVUS Election Webinar Series
All League members are invited to attend this series of weekly webinars on a variety of election topics leading up to our busiest season of election work. The following are the live webinars that will be offered, and other relevant recorded webinars will be included on the LMS page as well. Click here to register. Topics i
- Media & Rapid Response Messaging | Tuesday, Aug. 27, 1pm
- Social Media & Branding | Thursday, Sept. 5, 1pm
- Issues with Debates & Candidate Forums | Thursday, Sept. 12, 1pm
- Direct Voter Contact | Thursday, Sept. 19, 5pm
- Preparing for Post-Election | Thursday, Oct. 3, 1pm
- Bystander Training & Voter Intimidation | Thursday, Oct. 10, 1pm
Volunteer Opportunities
The Voter Services Committee is seeking passionate volunteers to help ensure that every eligible voter has the resources and information they need to vote this November. If you are interested in serving on the Voter Services committee, please send an email expressing your interest to lwvnash@gmail.com.
- Help register voters
- Help identify and organize voter registration event
- Help inform voters about the overall civic proces
- Help communicate with voters on issues and how to take actio
- Help organize an event for the National Voter Registration Day on September 17
Vote411.org
We need your help contacting candidates running for positions in the General Election, such as State Representative, General Sessions Court Clerk, U. S. House of Representatives, etc. You will ask the candidates about the important issues in our community and their positions. If you have any questions about contacting the candidates, email us at lwvnash@gmail.com.
Register Voters with Headcount.org
Headcount.org's mission is to use the power of music and popular culture to register voters and promote participation in democracy. To volunteer to help register voters, email Abby Jester at abigailj@headcount.org. Opportunities include:
- August 31st, September 6th, and September 27th at Musicians Corner at Centennial Park
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President's Message
We have a crucial role in ensuring every eligible voter is informed, engaged, and ready to participate in the upcoming election. As we approach this election, I want to share some key ways you can get involved and make a meaningful impact:
Volunteer with Our Voter Services Committee: Whether you’re interested in voter registration, outreach, or education, your help will make a significant impact. If you'd like to get involved, please email us at lwvnash@gmail.com.
Use Our Voter Education Tool – Vote411.org: Vote411 is our comprehensive voter education tool. It’s a one-stop shop for election-related questions, candidate information, and polling locations. Share this resource with your friends and family to help others make informed decisions.
Ensure Your Voter Registration is Up-to-Date: Go to Vote411.org to double-check your registration status and make sure your information is current. Encourage your friends and family to do the same.
Learn about who and what's on the ballot. In addition to the Congressional, Senate, and Presidential elections, Nashville will also vote on the Mayor's 'Choose How You Move' Transit Plan. Our Metro Council committee is organizing a forum for members to learn more about the plan. Stay tuned for details!
Let's work together to make sure every voter is ready to vote!
Ophelia Doe, Co-President
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Hot Topics
By Karen Wieckert and Melissa Hanson
Hot Topics August: Edible Nashville
A small but loyal group joined Jill Melton, editor of Edible Nashville, for a discussion of the world of putting out a bi-monthly magazines and growing the local food community. Jill, a veteran of the magazine industry, has been publishing Edible Nashville since 2015. During the past almost decade, the magazine and the local food movement has expanded considerably. Jill's presentation was informative and wonderfully entertaining. Please consider subscribing to the magazine, but do pick it up at your local grocery store or Farmers Market.
Hot Topics September: The Nashville Banner and Campaign Finance
September's Hot Topic will feature Steve Elliot and Sarah Grace Taylor from The Nashville Banner. The Nashville Banner is a locally owned, community-supported civic news organization. In the presentation, they will:
- Explain what the Banner is;
- Show the Metro/state/federal campaign finance databases;
- Explain differences Sarah has seen in different states where she has worked; and
- Discuss intersting campaign finance cases in recent Nashville/Tennessee history
For helpful homework, we recommend reading their article on campaign finance reports. You may also find you have questions after finding and reading through a campaign finance disclosure from one of your city, state or federal representatives.
Stephen Elliott attended the University of the South in Sewanee, TN, and reported for newspapers in Idaho and Colorado before joining the Nashville Post and the Nashville Scene in 2016. He covered local and state politics and government for the two publications until earlier this year, when he joined the new Nashville Banner to cover Metro.
Sarah Grace Taylor is a staff reporter covering state government for the Nashville Banner. A Nashville native, she spent several years covering local government in Tennessee, including at the Chattanooga Times Free Press, before moving to the West Coast where she covered city hall for The Seattle Times and California politics for POLITICO. Register here.
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Healthcare/Public Health
By Patti Scott and Harper-Grace Neidermeyer
The Healthcare Committee is following the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act. MNPH is now requiring parental consent for any kind of health care. We are concerned about how this policy will impact adolescents’ access to health care when parents are not available to provide consent. The policy could also impact continuity of care for teens previously seen by health department providers. Our committee has requested more information about the policy from the Board of Health. School nurses are also concerned about the impact of the policy.
The Public Health Committee plans to host a legislative forum with Davidson County delegation in January, 2025. The purpose is to learn about their priorities around health, have question and answer time, and a meet and greet. The forum will be open to all TN LWV members and others. We will send out information this Fall.
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Education
By Dr. Patricia Brock, Dr. Leslie Cowell, and Makenzie Mosby
In the recent election, five school board seats were filled, marking a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to shape the future of education in the community. Meanwhile, Gov. Lee continues to publicize "his" school voucher proposal, a controversial plan that has sparked debate among educators, parents, and policymakers alike. At the same time, guns in schools remain a discussion topic for parents and school officials, highlighting the ongoing concerns about safety and security in educational environments.
Further Reading:
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Metro Government
By Karen Hernan and Pat McCauley
VOTING/ ELECTIONS
Voter Registration Deadline: Oct. 7th
Early Voting: Oct. 16th-31st
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: Oct. 29th
Election Day: Nov. 5
There will be a new additional early voting location for the Nov. 5 election. It is Lentz Public Health Center on Charlotte Ave.
The Davidson County Election Commission and Metro Council voted to put the transit referendum on the November 5 ballot. The following is what the council approved to go on the ballot.
“Passage of this measure adopted by Ordinance BL2024-427, allows the Metropolitan Government to complete the entire priority sidewalk network when combined with annual capital spending, provide significantly expanded 24-hour public transportation service 365 days a year including frequent service on major routes, add more neighborhood transit centers, improve safety for all roadway users, and upgrade and modernize nearly two-thirds of the city’s signalized intersections.
This program's capital cost is estimated to have a current cost of $3,096,000,000. Once construction is complete, the estimated value of recurring annual operating and maintenance cost is approximately $111,000,000. The Metropolitan Transit Authority (WeGo), Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure, Metro Planning Department, and Mayor’s Office, in partnership with other Metro departments, will undertake implementation of the program.
Democratic gun control activist Shaundelle Brooks won her primary and will take on former Republican aide Chad Bobo in the race to fill a seat vacated by District 60 Rep. Darren Jernigan. Brooks is a former parole officer who became a gun control advocate after her 23-year-old son Akilah Dasilva was killed in the 2018 Antioch Waffle House shooting.
Democrat Robert Taylor beat Republican Demytris Savage-Short in the race for District 1 school board representative. District 1 is the largest school district by area, including parts of East Nashville, Whites Creek and Joelton.
US Rep Andy Ogles won his Republican primary for District 5. Courtney Johnson, the challenger, lost. Maryam Abolfazli is Ogles Democratic challenger in Nov. 5 election.
Rep. Bob Freeman won his primary in House District 56, which he has represented since 2018.
Rep. Bo Mitchell (D-Nashville) is continuing in his quest to disqualify his Republican challenger for reelection, Metro Council Member Jennifer Frensley Webb. Mitchell’s attorney, and the Tennessee Attorney General, on behalf of the election commission, have submitted new arguments, with Mitchell seeking a court hearing.
The council considered three potential charter amendments and then deferred them to January, 2026. One amendment clarifyies the process for naming an interim finance director. The second would lower the age of eligibility for serving on the Metro Council from age 25 to age 18, and third would provide for a September break from council meetings every year. The feeling was to not muddy the ballot and distract from the transit referendum which several council members stated the city desperately needs to pass.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING/ UNHOUSED
A resolution passed appropriating a total of $2M to The Salvation Army for the provision of housing services and life navigation skills to people experiencing homelessness in Nashville.
EDUCATION/ SCHOOLS/ IMMIGRATION
An ordinance passed on third reading approving the purchase of properties for a new elementary school in Antioch, Tennessee. Currently all elementary schools in Antioch have more than 600 students and the population is increasing.
GENERAL
Nashville has won its lawsuit against the state and can keep its 40 member council size. A 3 judge panel ruled Section 1(a) of the law applied to a lone county and is unconstitutional, invalid and of no effect under the Home Rule Amendment. Section 1(a) of the state law should be severed from the rest of the bill. Other provisions of the bill do not apply to Metro such as Section 1(c) which puts a 20 member cap on future metro governments formed after the bill. It is unknown if the state will appeal.
Mixed use zoning was approved for the old Hickory Hollow Mall which is owned by metro.
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Membership
By Reba Holmes and Cindee Gold
Annual Membership Drive Continues
Our annual membership drive is currently underway, and we are grateful to those who have recently renewed their membership or joined our league for the first time. Outstanding effort and thank you!
You matter, and your involvement in all we do makes a difference. Our collective voices will make a difference. We are counting on you to serve or continue to serve as an advocate to defend and protect our system of democracy and its cornerstones. We need more advocates like you; please encourage your family, friends, and colleagues to join the league.
Membership allows you to share a year’s worth of experiences promoting democracy, educating others in the community, supporting redistricting reform and ending gerrymandering, registering new voters, participating in the overall political discourse, to name a few. Plus, the annual membership includes membership to the national, state, and local LWV organizations. Details regarding various support levels may be found here.
If you prefer to pay by check, please mail it along with a “Membership Form”. The words “Membership Form” is an active link, if you click on it a form will appear for you to download or print.
Share Your Comments
We want to hear from you. Share your comments regarding the League of Women Voters? Protecting Voting Rights, Fairness in Voting, etc. Email your comments to lwvnash@gmail.com.
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| Stay Informed about Upcoming Calendar Events!
If you get the electronic version of the Voter, we want you to know that the upcoming calendar events are available on our wonderful, new website – www.lwvnashville.org. On The calendar scrolls on the events of the current and upcoming events thanks to Tracy Depp, who keeps the calendar current. If you haven’t taken a look, do so to make sure you mark your calendar so you won’t miss a thing!
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ATTENTION: The Nashville Voter is a digital publication. If you have received this copy of the Voter in the mail, it means the League of Women Voters of Nashville does not have an e-mail address for you. Please help us by sending your e-mail address to LWVNash@gmail.com. Being on the LWVN e-mail database ensures your receipt of all LWVN newsletters, event invitations, meeting announcements, and Call to Action alerts.
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| 2024-2025 LWVN Board of Directors
Co-Presidents: Lara Webb and Ophelia Doe
1st Vice Presidents: Melissa Hanson and Karen Weickert
Secretary: Ethel Detch
Treasurer Susan Mattson
Portfolio Chairs
Communications: Yolonda Beech
Community Connections: Sabina Mohyuddin and Leona Edwards
Education: Dr. Patricia Brock, Dr. Leslie Cowell, and MaKenzie Mosby
Environment: Russanne Buchi-Fotre and Jack McFadden
Health Care/Public Health: Patti Scott and Harper-Grace Niedermeyer
Membership: Reba Holmes and Cindee Gold
Metro Government: Pat McCauley and Karen Hernan
Voter Services: Kathy Anderson, Kalen Russell, and Beth Gordon
Williamson County Representative: June Bond
Nominating Committee Chair: Senator Brenda Gilmore
Nominating Committee Members: Betsy Walkup, Constance Caldwell, Hasina Mohyuddin, Ophelia Doe, and Brenda Wynn
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