Council delays move encouraging ouster of Election Commission members

By Tarana Burke
Diversity Institute Fellow

07.23.04

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A Metro Council resolution requesting that members of the Davidson County Election Commission resign their positions was deferred indefinitely on Tuesday.

Councilman Jamie Isabel, of District 2, introduced the resolution in an effort to bring attention to management issues that have plagued the commission in recent years, including last month's termination of Michael McDonald as administrator of the election commission.

"I think there is no direction coming from the commission," said Isabel. "How can the executive director have direction if there is no clear, shared vision?"

The election commission fired McDonald amid controversy involving the management of his office.

According to Isabel, with a major election in November, the commission's actions were, at best, "timed poorly." He said the board members should be looking out for the best interest of the voters. At the time of the firing, that's what commission members claimed they were doing. They voted 3-2 to dismiss McDonald.

The resolution seeking the resignations of election commission members never came before the council for discussion on Tuesday. The Rules committee voted to defer it prior to the meeting, and the council agreed.

Isabel suggested that the discussion be resumed after the November elections.

"This is a serious issue; that's why we tabled it and didn't kill it," said Isabel after the vote to defer. "I hope I've caused enough attention now to where something will be done. This issue won't go away; we are going to get right back at it after the elections."

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