The Nashville Town Council voted Thursday night to eliminate its district lines and have all future members run as at-large candidates.
It used to be that three of the five councilmembers were elected from specific districts, but the new legislation changes all five members to at-large.
"I understand representation from each specific area is important, however, in our town limits it is all an immediate area," said councilmember Anna Hofstetter. "We’re not big enough to really have districts."
The measure is expected to save the town around $10,000 it would have to pay for redistricting, which is mandated after every census.
READ MORE: Nashville Council Member Proposes Eliminating District Lines
Councilmember Nancy Crocker introduced the legislation. She said it will also reduce confusion voters may have about what districts they are in and encourage more people to run for town council.
"That’s part of my whole motive here is that people don’t understand the difference between districts and at-large, and this just simplifies everything," said Crocker.
She said the main concern from residents about this change is that it could create a situation where all five members come from the same smaller area during an election.
Crocker said the solution to that problem is staggering the terms, and only having two or three seats up for election the same year.
"If we stagger it, then the likelihood of everyone running at the same time and getting voted in lessens," said Crocker.
The new policy will go into effect immediately.
