‘This was a huge victory’: Councilmember reacts to ruling that law reducing Metro Council six is unconstitutional

By Mark Kelly NASHVILLE, TN (WKRN) — A Metro councilwoman calls it a victory for Nashville and democracy. A three-judge panel ruled that the state law to cut down the number of Nashville council members is unconstitutional. Councilmember At Large Delishia Porterfield breathed a sigh of relief. “We are very very thankful that the judges saw what was right and sided with us,” said Porterfield. After a months-long, high-stakes battle between Metro and the state, Metro Nashville won this fight. Two out of three judges decided that it is unconstitutional for the state to cut the size of the Metro Council from 40 members down to 20 or less. “This was a huge victory, not only Nashville, but for the state of Tennessee and democracy. I’m so thankful that the judges ruled in our favor, and saw that this was state overreach, this was unconstitutional.” Metro feared that a smaller council would cause confusion come election day, mean less representation for minority communities, and dilute constituent services by forcing fewer council members to represent more constituents. “We had a very big concern that it was going to disproportionately impact minority representation on our body, and we wanted to make sure...