Freddie O’Connell won the Nashville Mayoral runoff election on Thursday, defeating his Republican opponent Alice Rolli.
Read the full storyFreddie O’Connell Elected in Nashville Mayoral Race, Defeating Alice Rolli
Tag: Davidson County Election Commission
Davidson County Election Commission Releases Early Voting Data for Metro Nashville Runoff Election
The Davidson County Election Commission has revealed how many votes were cast during early voting for the 2023 Metro Nashville Runoff Election.
Read the full storyDavidson County Election Commission Releases Early Voting Data for Metro Nashville General Election
The Davidson County Election Commission has revealed how many votes were cast during early voting for the 2023 Metro Nashville General Election.
Read the full storyJim Gingrich Leads Nashville Mayor’s Race in Fundraising, Data Shows
New Data by the Davidson County Election Commission compiled by Axios shows how much cash each candidate running for Nashville Mayor has on hand through the first quarter of this year.
Read the full storyDavidson County Election Commission Chair Sues Metro Nashville Government
Davidson County Election Commission Chair Jim DeLanis filed suit against Metro Nashville Government in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee on Wednesday.
DeLanis has also filed suit against his former employer, the law firm Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz.
Read the full storyVast Differences in Funding for Opposing Sides in Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act Battle
Members of an organized campaign who oppose the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act are reportedly well-stocked with cash and have more that 400 times as much money as the people who favor it. The people on the opposing side — residents who have pushed for the referendum — have a sum of cash that, by comparison, is paltry.
Read the full storyAmericans for Prosperity-Tennessee Grassroots Director Grant Henry Discusses Recent Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act Ruling
Tuesday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Grassroots Director for Americans for Prosperity-Tennessee Grant Henry in studio to discuss the recent ruling on 4 Good Government referendum.
Read the full storyAttorney Jim Roberts on Pending Litigation with Metro Legal and Nashville Business Coaltion
Friday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act Attorney Jim Roberts to the newsmakers line to discuss how the referendum continues to have a place on the ballot despite the Metro government’s fear-mongering.
Read the full storyNashville Business Coalition and Metro Legal File Suits to Stop Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act
Members of the Nashville Business Coalition on Tuesday filed a lawsuit in Davidson County Court to invalidate the signatures collected to put the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act up for a voter referendum. The referendum, if voters approve it, would roll back Nashville Mayor John Cooper’s 34 to 37 percent tax increase.
Read the full storyVoters Will Decide Fate of Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act
Members of the Davidson County Election Commission voted 3-2 Monday to allow voters the right to vote yes or no to the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act. “The panel’s approval, along party lines, came after commissioners obtained a legal opinion from Vanderbilt University Professor Jim Blumstein, who was recently retained as the commission’s legal counsel. The opinion states it is the commission’s ‘duty’ to place the initiative on the ballot in 75 to 90 days,” according to The Tennessean.
Read the full storyAttorney Jim Roberts Talks Davidson County Election Commission Upcoming Vote and Metro Legal Impending Infinite Litigation
Friday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act attorney Jim Roberts to the newsmakers line to give updates to the status of Davidson County Election Commission’s vote and Metro legal’s imminent litigation.
Read the full storyNashville Taxpayer Protection Act: Attorney Jim Roberts Updates on Verified Petition Signatures and Election Commission Stall Tactics
Friday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act’s Attorney Jim Roberts to the newsmakers line to discuss the Election Commission’s official verification satisfactory petition signatures to get the referendum on the ballot and the calculated deception of Mayor Cooper.
Read the full storyNashville Business Coalition Attorney Jamie Hollin on the Davidson County Election Commission: Your Process is Flawed
Nashville Business Coalition Attorney Jamie Hollin addressed the Davidson County Election Commission on Saturday. Here is a transcript of his comments: Hollin: Excuse me, Mr. Chairman, I represent an organization and I would like an opportunity for no more than three minutes and if that will help persuade you as the winning lawyer of lawless and FOP. I have to tell you that the preceding general election for this purpose is the August 2020 general election. Commissioner: Okay. What organization is that? Hollin: I represent the Nashville Business Coalition. Commissioner: Okay, alright. Commissioners, what is your pleasure? Herzfeld: I would like to hear from Mr. Hollins. Commissioner: Ok. Is that…Okay. Alright. Hollin: We have new members Mr. Chairman and I want to let them know and I’ll let professor Lumpstein know, too. Good afternoon Mr. Chairman and commissioners. For some less, this feels like deja-vu all over again. Rest in peace, Yogi Berra. I’m Jamie Hollins on behalf of the Nashville Business Coalition and as we mentioned, I litigated those cases you’ve been reading about and lectured to beginning to end and they all started right here. And as the Chairman said there is no question it’s going to…
Read the full storyAmericans for Prosperity’s Grassroots Engagement Director Grant Henry Explains the ‘Tennessee Truth in Taxation’ Bill
Monday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Grant Henry the Grassroots Engagement Director for Americans for Prosperity to the newsmakers line to talk about the Truth in Taxation bill that would provide transparency to taxpayers and prevent reckless spending at the local government level.
Read the full storyOdds Increase that Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act will Go to Referendum
One of the key players behind the proposed Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act said Sunday that the odds of it going to a referendum are now 100 percent. But that same man, Nashville attorney Jim Roberts, told The Tennessee StarSunday that people who dislike the proposed referendum will continue to use the law to obstruct it and keep it from passing.
Read the full storyNashville Taxpayer Protection Act Attorney Jim Roberts on Metro Legals Attempt at Adverse Outside Council and Ominous Group Harassment of Petition Signers
Friday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act’s attorney Jim Roberts to the newsmakers line to update listeners on the dirty tricks and schemes crafted by Metro legal to stop the referendum from appearing on the ballot and exposes a fake group harassing petitioners.
Read the full storyNashville Taxpayer Protection Act Chances Might Improve with New Makeup of Davidson County Election Commission
One of the people behind the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act said he’s optimistic that the proposed referendum has a fighting chance, given the new makeup of the Davidson County Election Commission. Attorney Jim Roberts described Thursday night’s Election Commission meeting as “fabulous for our side.” This, after he said Metro Nashville officials were trying to undermine the proposed referendum which, if voters approve it, would roll back Nashville Mayor John Cooper’s 34 to 37 percent tax increase.
Read the full storyTwo Republicans Join Davidson County Election Commission
Two Republicans have replaced two other members of that political party on the Davidson County Election Commission. Davidson County Administrator of Elections Jeff Roberts on Tuesday identified those two new Republicans as Dan Davis and Ross Evans. Through their votes, Davis and Evans may ultimately help determine whether the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act goes to a referendum.
Read the full storyMonday’s Tennessee State Election Commission Meeting Takes on Heightened Importance
The Tennessee State Election Commission’s biennial, normally unnoticed routine of appointing county election commission members takes on heightened importance in light of recent events and unusual situations in at least three Tennessee counties.
In accordance with Tennessee state law, T.C.A. 2-12-101 and 2-12-106, the State Election Commission (SEC) appoints five election commissioners for each of the state’s 95 counties for terms of two years.
Nashville Attorney Jim Roberts Updates Listeners With Petitions Received for the Taxpayer Protection Act
Friday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Nashville attorney Jim Roberts to the newsmakers line to give updates on the Taxpayer Protection Act petitions received.
Read the full storyBackup Plan in Place in Case Judge Rules Against Taxpayers on Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act
Attorneys submitted their final arguments Tuesday at the trial debating the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act, and the attorney representing taxpayers said he has a backup plan in case the judge rules against them.
This, according to Nashville attorney Jim Roberts Tuesday.
Read the full storyWitnesses Testify on First Day of Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act Trial
The dispute over the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act went to trial Monday.
Nashville attorney Jim Roberts said he expects Davidson County Chancery Court Judge Ellen Hobbs Lyle will issue a ruling by the end of this week.
As reported, Roberts is fighting the Davidson County Election Commission to get the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act referendum on the December 5 ballot.
Read the full storyNashville Attorney Jim Roberts Gives an Update on the Fight to Get the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act on December’s Ballot
Friday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Nashville attorney Jim Roberts to the show to give an update on the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Referendum.
Read the full storyNashville Attorney Jim Roberts Gives Updates on the Fight for Davidson County Voters Right to a Referendum Vote in December
Friday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Nashville-based attorney Jim Roberts to the newsmaker line to give updates on the hearings scheduled to get the Taxpayer Protection Act referendum on the December ballot.
Read the full storyNashville Attorney Says Davidson County Election Commission Trying to ‘Gum Up the Works’ on Taxpayer Protection Act Referendum
Suit Yourself: Taxpayer Protection Act Attorney Jim Roberts Sees Metro Government Trying to Pretend Like They’re Not Suing the Taxpayers
Monday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Leahy welcomed Nashville-based attorney Jim Roberts on the newsmakers line to give updates on the fillings against the Davidson County Election Committee.
Read the full storyNashville Attorney Files Suit, Tells Davidson County Election Commissioners to Do Their Jobs on Taxpayer Referendum
A Nashville attorney filed a motion Thursday to challenge members of the Davidson County Election Commission, who still refuse to put the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act referendum on the ballot for December 5, as originally intended. That man, Jim Roberts, on Friday explained what he filed with the Davidson County Chancery Court. “It’s real simple. Governments generally have two ways that they act. They either have ministerial duties, which means they do exactly what the law says or they have discretionary duties, which means they have a lot of discretion for when they make a decision,” Roberts said. “The Election Commission’s duties — once the citizens have gathered the petitions and once the signatures have been verified — include an obligation to put it on the ballot [and it] is ministerial. They don’t have a choice. That is just what they do. They are in this position now where they don’t want to do their job. It is not really any more complicated than that. They just don’t want to do it.” Roberts said his lawsuit asks for several different types of relief, one of which asks that the court direct members of the Election Commission to put the ballot on…
Read the full storyDavidson County Election Commission Provides Tennessee Code Citation It Says Allows It to Move Date of Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act Referendum to December 15
Davidson County Elections Administrator Jeff Roberts on Thursday cited the portion of the Tennessee Code that the Davidson County Election Commission says permits them to move the prospective election date for voters to say yes or no to the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act from December 5, as prescribed in the petition, to December 15, as the commission voted to do in its September 25 meeting.
Roberts responded to The Tennessee Star Thursday morning.
Read the full storyDavidson County Election Commission Cancels Meeting: ‘Since Nothing Is Urgent at This Point in Time We Made The Decision That It Was Not Necessary to Meet’
Members of the Davidson County Election Commission have cancelled a meeting they previously scheduled for Tuesday.
This, one day after The Tennessee Star demonstrated that Metro Legal Director Bob Cooper said something incorrect at a recent Election Commission meeting.
Cooper incorrectly stated that election commissioners had more than just a “purely ministerial” role taking on the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act.
Read the full storyNashville Taxpayer Protection Act: Attorney Jim Roberts Explains How the Election Commission Continues to Stall Decision After 27,000 Signed Petition to Repeal Tax Increase
Friday morning on the Tennessee Star Report, host Michael Patrick Leahy welcomed Nashville based attorney Jim Roberts to the show to update listeners on the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act getting on the ballot in December.
Read the full storyDavidson County Election Commission Suing Citizens for Putting Tax Cut on Ballot, Calling it ‘Unconstitutional’
The Davidson County Election Commission has recruited a legal team to sue the citizens’ group Americans for Prosperity-Tennessee (AFP-TN) for its December ballot tax cut petition.
Former Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Bill Koch will serve as lead council, and Junaid Odubeko the co-council.
Initiative to Roll Back Nashville’s 34 Percent Property Tax Hike Receives Election Commission Verification, Heads Back to Clerk’s Office
Nashvillians now likely will have input on the city’s 34 to 37 percent property tax hike, a conservative activist said in reaction to the verification of a ballot initiative.
The Davidson County Election Commission on Monday verified the referendum effort for the Nashville Taxpayer Protection Act, WSMV said. That could limit the property tax increase to 2 percent. The effort now goes to the Metro Clerk’s Office and potentially to the Dec. 5 ballot.
Tori Venable, state director of Americans for Prosperity-Tennessee (AFP-TN), lauded the initiative’s progress in a statement.
Read the full storyTennessee Offers Hotline to Report Government Waste, Fraud, and Abuse
Some people may not know it, but if you see or know of waste, fraud of abuse in the local or Tennessee state governments then you can call a special hotline to report it. Tennessee Comptrollers discussed this Fraud, Waste & Abuse hotline — and the results gained from tipsters — in their 2018 Annual Report, released this week. The hotline received 870 notifications between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018. Comptrollers said 521 of those calls had merit and were investigated, according to the report. Among only a few of them: • Bid Rigging and Bribery: The notification alleged two employees of the University of Tennessee Athletic Department accepted entertainment from a potential vendor and imposed restrictive bid requirements that inhibited competition. Officials recommended the university require and document periodic training related to the Employee Gift Acceptance Policy. • Inappropriate Actions by a State Employee: The notification alleged a Department of Children’s Services employee tried to influence a local election by campaigning for a friend while conducting an assessment for the state. The review substantiated the allegation, and the case was placed in review for approval. After approval, officials will place it in external review for further consideration, according to the…
Read the full storyAttorney Who Won Special Mayoral Election Case: Head of Davidson County Election Commission Who ‘Set Fire to $2 Million of Taxpayer Money’ Should Resign
Jamie Hollin, the attorney who represented plaintiff Ludye Wallace in the historic mayoral special election date case the Tennessee Supreme Court decided unanimously in his client’s favor last month, is calling on Jim DeLanis, Chairman of the Davidson County Election Commission to resign for causing the Metro Nashville/Davidson County Government to spend an extra $2 million on the May 24 special mayoral election. Hollin appeared at Monday’s meeting of the Budget and Finance Committee Meeting of the Nashville/Davidson County Metro Council. When the Committee Chairman, Council Member Tanaka Vercher, opened up discussion of a resolution to appropriate $2 million for the special mayoral election on May 24, Council Member Glover asked how it came to be that the city was spending an extra $2 million on a second election just three weeks and two days after more than 120,000 voters turned up to vote in the May 1 Nashville transit plan referendum, which was defeated by a 64 percent to 36 percent margin. At around the 53:00 mark in the video of the Budget and Finance Committee meeting (which can be seen and heard in the video clip below), Committee Chair Tanaka Vercher asked Hollin to express his views on the…
Read the full storyLawsuit Filed Challenging August 2 Date for Mayoral Special Election in Nashville
Nashville attorney Jamie Hollin filed a lawsuit Monday morning in Davidson County Chancery Court on behalf of mayoral candidate and former Metro Councilman Ludye Wallace challenging the legality of the Davidson County Election Commission’s decision to set the date for the mayoral election as August 2. Wallace was listed as the plaintiff in the case, and the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County and the Davidson County Election Commission were named as defendants. “Three of the five members of the Davidson County Election Commission ignored the plain meaning of Tennessee law and voted to set August 2, 2018 as the date for the special election to select a new mayor of Nashville late Friday afternoon, thereby plunging the city into a likely firestorm of lawsuits and threatening the legitimacy of an election held on that date,” The Tennessee Star reported last week: Commission Chairman Jim DeLanis, Commissioner Jesse Neil, and Commissioner Emily Reynolds, all Republicans, formed the three member majority who voted in favor of the motion to set the election date at August 2. Commissioner Tricia Herzfeld and Commissioner A.J. Starling, both Democrats, formed the two member minority who voted against the motion. Wallace, who served on the Metro…
Read the full storyThe Fix Is In: Davidson County Election Commission Ignores Plain Meaning of Law, Votes 3 to 2 to Set August 2 Date for Mayoral Election
NASHVILLE, Tennessee–Three of the five members of the Davidson County Election Commission ignored the plain meaning of Tennessee law and voted to set August 2, 2018 as the date for the special election to select a new mayor of Nashville late Friday afternoon, thereby plunging the city into a likely firestorm of lawsuits and threatening the legitimacy of an election held on that date. The meeting was convened in response to the resignation of Mayor Megan Barry on March 6, and the swearing in of Vice Mayor David Briley the same day as acting mayor. Briley has already declared that he will be a candidate for mayor in the upcoming special election. Commission Chairman Jim DeLanis, Commissioner Jesse Neil, and Commissioner Emily Reynolds, all Republicans, formed the three member majority who voted in favor of the motion to set the election date at August 2. Commissioner Tricia Herzfeld and Commissioner A.J. Starling, both Democrats, formed the two member minority who voted against the motion. By the same three to two margin, the commission rejected an earlier motion by Commissioner Herzfeld, an attorney, to submit a request for declaratory judgment before the Chancery Court on Monday to obtain an official ruling…
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