Tennessee Supreme Court upholds state law shrinking Nashville council to 20

The Tennessee Supreme Court upheld a 2023 state law requiring Nashville’s 40-member Metro Council to shrink to no more than 20, rejecting the city’s constitutional challenge and sending the case back to a lower court for further proceedings. Nashville must redraw council districts and overhaul the body ahead of the August 2027 elections; the law applies to all metropolitan governments in Tennessee. The court also upheld a separate state law creating a new governing body for Nashville’s airport, while the city continues to challenge the airport takeover in federal court. Mayor Freddie O’Connell said the city would review its options and continue defending local self-government. State lawmakers cited efficiency as a reason for the measures, amid broader tensions with Nashville officials.