Davidson County Election Commission certifies municipal results, approves budget and schedules signature-challenge hearing

The Davidson County Election Commission met at its new offices at 1281 Murfreesboro Pike and, among other actions, certified the March 17 Berryhill municipal election, approved its fiscal-year 2026–27 operating budget and set an April 16 hearing on a candidate’s petition challenge.

Chair opened the meeting, thanked staff for completing the office move and invited public comment. James Garrett praised the new meeting space and reminded commissioners that early voting begins April 15 ahead of the May 5 primary.

Administrator Richardson presented the Berryhill returns and asked the commission to certify the results. "In total, there were 93 ballots cast, 5 were early votes, 4 were absentee, 84 were on election day with 1 provisional," he said. The commission moved, seconded and approved certification by voice vote.

The commission then approved putting three qualified candidates on the ballot for the Oak Hill municipal election set for Aug. 6, 2026. A motion to approve the candidates was moved and seconded and carried without recorded roll-call tallies.

Administrator Richardson outlined the commission’s operating budget for FY2026–27, saying roughly 73% of the operating budget is tied to benefits and payroll, 13% is a pass-through to Metro ITS, 10% covers voting equipment, software and licensing, and 4% is for office supplies. He noted that larger election cycles can cost substantially more: "…those elections can range every from $1,000,000 up to $1,600,000," he said. The commission approved the operating budget after a motion and second by commissioners.

In other business, the commission scheduled a hearing to adjudicate a qualifying-petition challenge from Jayla Thomas, who sought to run for Tennessee House District 55 but was determined to be a few signatures short. Administrator Richardson described the process: Thomas may submit evidence and affidavits through noon March 30, and the commission set the formal hearing for April 16 at 4:00 p.m. in the same meeting room.

The commission also agreed to move the scheduled certification meeting for the May 5 primary up one week, from May 20 to May 13 at 4:00 p.m., to expedite processing.

Toward adjournment, a commissioner asked whether a future court decision that altered municipal council districts would require supplemental funding; Administrator Richardson said any added costs (for example, mailing new registration cards to every registered voter in Davidson County) would be addressed if and when that situation arose.

The meeting adjourned after a final motion and second.

Next procedural steps: the signature-challenge hearing on April 16 and the rescheduled certification meeting for the May 5 primary on May 13 at 4:00 p.m.