Davidson County Chancellor Anne C. Martin issued a ruling on Wednesday that the county Election Commission does not have to create a mechanism for voters to remove their names from the Restore Our Fairgrounds petition. The decision leaves the petition, which seeks to end racing at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, certified for future ballot placement.
Background on the petition
The Restore Our Fairgrounds coalition gathered 47,679 verified signatures, comfortably surpassing the 40,194 required to place the measure on a ballot. The petition’s supporters argue that ending racing would free the historic venue for affordable housing and green space.
Legal challenge
Attorneys representing Devra Bagwell and the Decline to Sign group filed a lawsuit in early September, asserting that thousands of signatures should be removed before certification. They claimed many signatures were obtained through misleading canvassers and that more than 2,000 residents had asked to have their names withdrawn.
The coalition responded that it received over 2,000 emails requesting removals, but it could verify only 542 requests as genuine. The coalition’s staff followed up with each individual to confirm the desire to withdraw.
Judge’s reasoning
In her opinion, Chancellor Martin noted that while the Metro Charter obligates election officials to verify signatures, it does not mandate a formal withdrawal process. She emphasized that opponents still have other legal avenues to contest the certification, such as a writ of certiorari under the charter.
During the hearing, Martin asked why the plaintiffs did not simply contact the Restore Our Fairgrounds coalition directly instead of using a third‑party lawsuit. Attorney Michael Cottone, representing Decline to Sign, explained that the coalition’s verification steps often added unnecessary delays to what should be a straightforward removal request.
What comes next
With the lawsuit dismissed, the petition remains certified and is expected to appear on a future ballot unless another court intervenes. The coalition’s vision of replacing racing with affordable housing and green space continues to generate public debate, especially regarding the methods used to collect signatures.
Both sides acknowledge that the issue will likely be decided by voters, underscoring the importance of transparent petition practices and informed community participation.
Original reporting: NewsChannel 5 WTVF (Scripps) – local — read the source article.
