Time to Rock the August Vote

And when you head to vote, especially if you're voting in Davidson County, you had better allow plenty of time to make it happen. Early voting began July 15 and will continue through July 30. Election Day is Thursday, August 4.

At stake: Major party nominations for Tennessee governor, U.S. House of Representatives, and Tennessee state Senate (in some districts) and House of Representatives (all districts). You get the call at your polling place to vote Republican, Democrat, or to just go for the general election for local offices and most every judgeship in the state of Tennessee. Not to mention four proposed amendments to the charter of Metropolitan Nashville Davidson County. 

Proposed amendment number 1 modifies the process for placing a charter amendment on the ballot for an "up or down" vote. It allows an amendment to go to the ballot by a two-thirds majority of the Metro Council following review by a newly-created Charter Revision Commission. No more than two amendments to the charter could be proposed during a four-year term of the council.

A charter amendment could also be initiated by a petition signed by ten percent of registered voters in Davidson County.

The Charter Revision Commission will consist of seven volunteer members appointed by the mayor and confirmed by majority vote of the council for four-year terms. The commission will make recommendations to the council regarding charter amendments, oversee the petition process, and approve the form of referendum ballots to amend the charter to keep the public informed.

My friend and attorney colleague Kevin Rhoten, who represents District 14 on the council (Hermitage area -- not my home area of downtown Nashville), tells me that there are no problems with any of the proposed charter amendments. Check out the summary of each amendment when you head for the polls.

In Davidson County, a lot of judgeships are at stake, though most nominees of the Democratic party are unopposed for election. All appellate judges in Tennessee are up for a "Missouri ballot" retention vote (choice of either "Retain" or "Replace"). The judges of the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Court of Criminal Appeals are all expected to be retained. All state judges are elected to eight year terms. In the event of a death, resignation, or removal, there are procedures in place for either the local council or commission or governor and state legislature to appoint a judge until the next election.

Metro Nashville school board member districts 2, 4, 6, and 8 are up for grabs this time, as well as district attorney general, public defender, county trustee, sheriff, circuit court clerk, criminal court clerk, juvenile court clerk, county clerk, and register of deeds. 

Most of the key local offices and judgeships in Nashville have nominees from the Democratic party and no Republican or independent opponent.

The Tennessean has published quite a bit of information regarding the Democratic primary for governor and candidates Carnita Atwater, Jason Martin, and JB Smiley Jr. That is admirable of our newspaper I suppose. But Governor Bill Lee is popular statewide and is expected to coast to victory in November and be sworn in for a second term in January 2023. I went to his inaugural ball in 2019 and imagine I will be returning to celebrate with him and first lady Maria again next January if all goes according to plan.

Tennessee Senate District 19 has five candidates for the Democratic nomination, some of which will be familiar to voters. 

The most contested primary in terms of TV ads seems to be the new Fifth U.S. House district, which includes the southern part of Davidson County, Williamson and Wilson counties in part, and Lewis, Maury, and Marshall counties. Beth Harwell, former speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives, is running hard for the Republican nomination against former national guard brigadier general Kurt Winstead, Maury County Mayor Andy Ogles, and six others. Democratic state senator Heidi Campbell is unopposed in her primary and awaits the Republican nominee in the general election in November.

In my new U.S. House district, Republican Mark Green of Clarksville will face local Democratic activist Odessa Kelly in November. Both are unopposed in their respective August primary elections. Green will be heavily favored in this new district that includes the western portion of Metro Nashville, the western portion of Williamson County, Robertson and Cheatham counties, and all or part of ten other counties extending across the Tennessee River into West Tennessee.

So depending on your party affiliation, there may (or may not) be a lot to attract you to the polls this summer. But all elections are important, and I say Rock the Vote and learn about who you are voting for, too.

James A. Rose

Publisher