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ISSUE UPDATE

Metro Council:  The 20-Member Cap

State Law, the Metro Charter, and the Charter Amendment Process

The state has capped the Metro Council at 20 members. Here is what happened, what the law requires, and what comes next.

Last updated November 14, 2026

Where things stand

THE RULING

On November 2, 2026, the Tennessee Supreme Court upheld a state law capping the Metro Council at 20 voting members. The council has 40 today.

Metro's legal director says the council should put a charter amendment to Davidson County voters. The law sets no deadline.

THE LAW

WHAT'S NEXT

The council's Charter Revision Committee is planning public listening sessions across the county. Dates have not been set.

What the law requires

A cap, not a fixed number. State law says the council "must not exceed" 20 voting members. The council could choose a smaller number. Today it has 40 members: 35 district and 5 at-large.

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Voters decide. The Metro Charter sets the council's size, and state law says charter changes must go to the voters. Metro's legal director advises that the council vote on a resolution to put one charter amendment on the ballot. The law says the council's vote on that resolution needs only a simple majority of those present and voting, instead of the usual two-thirds.

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The council sets the details. Under that approach, the amendment would name the total size and how seats are divided between district and at-large members, and would update other charter provisions that depend on the number 40.

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No deadline in the law. In 2026 the legislature removed the original election date and map deadlines, so the law does not say when the change must happen.

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District maps follow the vote. The 2026 amendment removed the requirement that the Planning Commission draw new districts within 30 days. Metro's legal director says map drawing comes after the structure is decided.

How we got here

March 2023

The General Assembly passes the 20-member cap. Metro sues days later.

July 2024

A three-judge trial court rules in Metro's favor.

2025

The Court of Appeals rules for the state. In September, the Tennessee Supreme Court agrees to hear Metro's appeal.

February 12, 2026

The Supreme Court hears oral argument.

May 2026

The legislature amends the law, removing the election date, map deadlines and implementation timeline. The governor signs it May 19.

November 2, 2026

The Supreme Court upholds the cap. Metro's legal director says no further court challenges remain in this case.

What comes next

STEP 1 · TENTATIVE: TUESDAY, NOV. 17

Committee meets again

At the November 13 meeting, the committee chair asked the Council Office to schedule another Charter Revision Committee meeting for Tuesday. A meeting notice has not yet been posted.

STEP 2 · DATES NOT SET

Listening sessions

The committee agreed on a goal of at least five sessions across north, south, east, west and central Nashville. Members were asked to send availability for the week of November 30 and after.

STEP 3 · NOT SET

Council drafts one amendment

A single proposal setting the size and structure.

Dates marked "not set" have not been announced. We will update this page as they are.

STEP 4 · NOT SET

Review and ballot

Ordinarily, a proposed charter amendment goes to the Charter Revision Commission for review, then to the Election Commission for the ballot.

STEP 5 · NOT SET

Voters decide

Davidson County voters approve or reject the proposal. The election date has not been set.

STEP 6 · NOT SET

New district maps

District maps follow the decision on structure. Ordinarily the Planning Commission proposes them.

Open questions

  • How many members will the council have?

  • How many will be district seats and how many
    at-large?

  • When will voters decide?

  • What happens if voters reject the proposal? Metro's legal director says the council would need to continue good-faith efforts to comply.

What it could mean for District 16

The council has 35 district seats and may have no more than 20 members in total, so district boundaries will have to change. The new structure and maps have not been decided. We will share what we learn as details come out.

STAY INFORMED
Get Involved

The Charter Revision Committee plans public listening sessions across the county. Join our list and we will send you the dates and locations as soon as they are announced. Meetings of the Charter Revision Committee are open to the public and are streamed on Metro Nashville Network.

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