Tennessee Supreme Court cuts Nashville council size in half

Nashville Metro Council membership will drop from 40 to 20 following a ruling by the Tennessee Supreme Court issued on Monday. This decision marks the end of a multi-year legal battle over the size of local governing bodies across the state.

The state legislature passed a law in 2023 that placed a 20-person cap on local councils. Nashville was the only municipality in Tennessee that exceeded this limit. The council was originally created with 40 seats in 1963 when city and county governments merged.

Mayor Freddie O’Connell defended the city’s position in a statement. He wrote that the council size was established by the community and that the charter should only be altered by voters. He stated that the city will review its options and continue to fight for local self-governance.

The legal dispute began when Metro sued the state after the 2023 law passed. The city argued the legislation violated the Tennessee Constitution by targeting Nashville specifically and by ignoring local voter authority. A lower court initially sided with Metro, but that decision was reversed on appeal.

The five-member supreme court heard arguments in February of this year. The justices found that amendments made by lawmakers addressed specific legal concerns. They also determined that the state legislature retains authority over local councils.

New districts will now need to be drawn to accommodate the reduced number of seats. The large council size had been a key factor in securing voter approval for the 1963 consolidation. At the time, residents expressed concern about the representation of Black residents, and the 40-member structure was intended to reassure them.