Nashville Council District 21 Voter Guide: What to Know in North Nashville

District 21 has a new challenger ready to represent North Nashville.

The Nashville Metropolitan General Election is on Thursday, August 3, 2023. Nashville voters in Council District 21 will have the chance to cast their votes in four key races — for mayor, vice mayor, councilmember at large, and their District 21 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. For the past four years, Brandon Taylor has served as District 21’s councilmember. He is now running for reelection, though a reform-minded challenger, Jamel Campbell-Gooch, is also making a bid for his seat in the Metro Council.

Of the two candidates, only Jamel Campbell-Gooch is GoodParty.org Certified. Being GoodParty.org Certified means that Campbell-Gooch has pledged to run a clean, nonpartisan campaign based on small donors and good ideas. 

About Jamel Campbell-Gooch

• Occupation: Organizing Director, Southern Movement Committee

• Background: Jamel Campbell-Gooch grew up in North Nashville, specifically 37208, the highest incarcerated zip code in the United States. Jamel graduated from Tennessee State University, where he became interested in genealogy and found that his family has lived in Tennessee since 1794 – before Tennessee was officially a state, and when his ancestors were brought there as slaves. Understanding his family history inspired Jamel to dedicate himself to social justice work, serving at Pearl-Cohn High School and Easley Community Center. Jamel is now an activist with the Black Nashville Assembly and the Southern Movement Committee.

• Policy Platform: Jamel Campbell-Gooch’s policy priorities include:

  • Building a participatory democracy where people feel empowered, decision-making is both effective and inclusive, and communities are strengthened

  • Ensuring access to safe, affordable, and dignified housing

  • Improving public safety through credible, innovative alternatives to traditional policing

  • Investing in public education

• How to Learn More: To learn more about Jamel Campbell-Gooch’s campaign, visit his campaign website.

When is the election?

The Nashville Metropolitan General Election is on Thursday, 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 runs from now through Saturday, July 29. Times vary between days, so check Nashville’s early voting schedule if 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. 

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 North Nashville?

Nashville Council District 21 is the heart of Nashville’s African American community. With a diverse population and vibrant neighborhoods, Hadley Park and North Nashville deserve a representative who will meet your needs. As you get ready to vote in Hadley Park and North Nashville, here are a couple 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 do you want the future of Nashville to look like?

• 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 exceptional! To learn more about GoodParty.org Certified candidates running in Nashville, check out our Nashville independent voter guide.