Metro Charter Revision Commission Wants to Save Odd-Year Elections

A Metro Council committee will consider a proposal Thursday night to shift local elections to Presidential years. The move would require a change to the city’s founding document.

At-large Councilman Charlie Tygard wants Metro’s odd-year elections moved to save money. Each election costs as much as a million dollars, according to the Davidson County election administrator.

The Charter Revision Commission is appointed to vet potential amendments, and earlier this week it unanimously disapproved. Chairman Dewey Branstetter says local, non-partisan elections would be swallowed up by national politics.

“The value to the citizens of Davidson County by having a separate and discrete election where the focus is on local issues far-outweighed the potential cost savings.”

The review commission has recommended several non-controversial revisions, like allowing substitute teachers to also be poll workers. The commission split on a recommendation to expand the duties of the Davidson County sheriff, which is given only a limited law enforcement role in Metro’s 50-year-old charter.

A Metro Council committee meets Thursday night to make its own recommendations on charter revisions. Ultimately, it will be up to the full 40-member body to decide what goes on November’s ballot.