Nashville Council District 17 Voter Guide: What to Know in South Nashville

District 17 has big decisions ahead for South Nashville.

The Nashville Metropolitan General Election is on Thursday, August 3, 2023. Nashville voters in Council District 17 will have the chance to cast their votes in four key races — for mayor, vice mayor, councilmember at large, and their District 17 councilmember.

Here are a few big questions voters are asking leading up to election day, with the answers you need to show up as an informed voter:

Who’s on my ballot?

All Nashville voters will have the chance to vote for mayor, vice mayor, and councilmember at large. To learn more about who’s on the ballot in each of these races, check out our 2023 Nashville Voter Guide or view a sample ballot here.

In addition to these city-wide seats, each of the 35 Metro Council districts in Nashville will have the opportunity to elect their next representative. Since 2015, District 17 has been represented by Colby Sledge. Having reached his term limit, Colby Sledge is now handing his role off to WeHo, Melrose, and Wedgewood-Houston’s next council member.

There are three candidates running for Metro Council in District 17: Terry Vo, Teaka Jackson, and Tonya Esquibel. Of the three candidates, only Terry Vo is GoodParty.org Certified. Being GoodParty.org Certified means that Terry has pledged to run a clean, nonpartisan campaign based on small donors and good ideas. Terry Vo also has the endorsement of incumbent councilmember Colby Sledge.

About Terry Vo

• Occupation: Self-employed

• Background: The daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, Terry Vo was born and raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas. After attending the University of Arkansas and teaching abroad in Japan, Terry moved to Nashville to work for the Consulate-General of Japan. She then went on to earn her master’s degree in Governance and Public Policy from the University of Queensland in Australia. Terry returned to Nashville in 2015, and worked as the Director of Communications for Jeremy Kane’s mayoral campaign. More recently, Terry co-founded the non-profit API Middle TN to lift up the voices of the Asian and Pacific Islander community. She has also helped revitalize the Chestnut Hill Neighborhood Association and helped the Tennessee Pride Chamber go statewide.

• Policy Platform: Terry Vo’s policy priorities include:

  • Creating safer neighborhoods by increasing civic participation

  • Ensuring affordable housing through rent control options

  • Fostering inclusive growth and supporting local businesses from diverse backgrounds

• How to Learn More: To learn more about Terry Vo’s campaign, check out her campaign website.

When is the election?

The Nashville Metropolitan General Election is on August 3. Polling locations will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. If you cannot vote on August 3 or would rather vote early, early voting is another option for you. Early voting extends from now through Saturday, July 29. Times vary between days, so check Nashville’s early voting schedule if you are interested.

Where’s my polling place?

To find your polling place, enter your address here. You can also download the GoVoteTN app to find your polling location and other helpful information for election day.

If you are interested in early voting, you may have a different polling location. The Howard Office Building is serving as a polling location for early voting.

What do I need to bring with me to vote?

Make sure you bring the correct form of identification with you to your polling place. You can bring any of the following forms of ID:

• Tennessee driver’s license with your photo

• United States passport

• A photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security

• A photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government

• United States military photo ID

• Tennessee handgun carry permit with your photo

What else should I know to vote in South Nashville?

Nashville Council District 17 is home to some of the most diverse and fastest growing neighborhoods in Nashville. You deserve a councilmember who truly supports you! As you get ready to vote in WeHo or Melrose, here are a couple important points to keep in mind:

• As you consider which candidate to vote for, think about the issues and values that are most important to you. What’s your vision of Nashville’s future?

• Voter turnout in local elections is usually very low, so your vote has a real impact on the outcome of the election! Encourage your friends and family to vote with you.

Voting and expressing your political opinion is incredibly important, so if you’re planning on voting, you’re already a rockstar! To learn more about GoodParty.org Certified candidates running in Nashville, check out our Nashville independent voter guide.