On September 26, 2025, the Davidson County Election Commission released early voting data for the primary in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District special election. The number was shocking: only 4,098 out of 123,859 registered voters cast a ballot – a turnout of 3.3%.
This figure does not reflect the general election on December 2, but rather the first week of early voting for the October 7 primary. Still, the number is alarming. In a closely watched race following Representative Mark Green’s resignation in July, Nashville, Tennessee’s capital and one of its most politically engaged counties, is not showing up.
The Athens of the South, Silent at the Polls
Nashville likes to call itself the “Athens of the South,” a hub of higher education, debate, and civic engagement. Yet, the data suggest that most residents skipped their first chance to have a say in who succeeds Representative Mark Green. Green is a Republican politician and former U.S. Army officer who represented Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District from 2019 until his resignation in July 2025. Across the 7th Congressional District’s 14 counties, fewer than 14,000 early ballots had been cast by late September.
Special elections often suffer from low turnout, but 3% is not just “low,” it is negligible, a sign that even in a district brimming with students, activists, and civic organizations, the democratic process can halt when voters decide their participation does not matter. Lisa Quigley, the former chief of staff to retired Democratic Congressman Jim Cooper, argued that the minimal Democratic turnout in Davidson County reflects what she called a “complete breakdown” of voter participation in Nashville.
A Field Without an Audience
The low turnout is especially jarring given the crowded field. Usually, a larger number of candidates means increased interaction with community members through canvassing and door-knocking efforts, sparking greater civic engagement.
On the Democratic side, candidates like Aftyn Behn, Vincent Dixie, and Bo Mitchell bring legislative experience and Nashville ties, while Darden Copeland positions himself as an outsider. Republicans packed the ballot with state legislators and activists, with their nominee expected to enter the general as the favorite. Governor Bill Lee endorsed candidate Matt Van Epps on September 30th, making him an early favorite over the 10 other Republican candidates. Yet, despite a race full of names, résumés, and ambitions, the electorate’s voice was almost absent in September.
Why Nashville Didn’t Show
There is a range of theories to explain the strikingly low turnout, though none can be confirmed with certainty. Timing may be the explanation: the primary fell on October 7, tucked between the start of the school year and the holiday season. Another reason could be the historic political affiliation of the 7th Congressional District. Many Democratic voters may have assumed their ballot would make little difference in a Republican-leaning district.
Finally, voters may feel a broader sense of disillusionment. Local politics are often complicated by confusing district boundaries, low-visibility campaigns, and the perception that politicians disappear once elected. While these local politicians remain the building blocks upon which a thriving democracy stands, many citizens often concern themselves more with executive elections than congressional elections.
A Warning for December and Beyond
The December 2 general election remains the real test. Early voting for the contest will run November 12–26, giving Nashville another chance to prove that 3% was only a blip, not a new normal. But the early numbers should serve as a warning: democracy can fail through neglect.
For Vanderbilt students, many of whom live in Davidson County and will be eligible to vote in the 7th District, the lesson is pointed. Political science classes may teach democratic theory, but in practice, democracy depends on showing up to the polls. The danger is that Nashville, the “Athens of the South,” will become a city that abandons its democratic voice entirely.
