Democracy is built on more than statutes and procedures. It is built on the everyday practices that allow people to participate. One of the most important of these practices is public comment — the opportunity for residents to speak, be heard, and have their perspectives preserved in the public record.
In Shelby County, public comment is often the first doorway into civic engagement. Whether delivered in person at commission meetings or submitted in writing, these comments reflect the lived experiences of people directly affected by policy decisions. They are essential to a healthy democratic process.
Because of this, it is worth examining how accessible our public comment system truly is. The Shelby County Election Commission (SCEC) has long permitted broad public comment, and that openness deserves recognition. But without a clearly adopted, publicly posted policy, many residents — especially first‑time participants — face uncertainty about how the process works.
A formal public comment policy would not change the Commission’s longstanding practice. Instead, it would clarify it. A short, easy‑to‑understand policy could explain time limits, outline how written comments are accepted, and describe how comments become part of the public record. Publishing this information on the SCEC website would allow residents to understand the process before they arrive, increasing comfort, confidence, and participation.
Relying solely on in‑person comment opportunities unintentionally excludes many people. Some residents face mobility challenges. Others work shifts that make daytime meetings impossible. Many lack reliable transportation. Some communicate more effectively in writing or need additional time to prepare comments in a second language. A written comment option ensures that these voices — no less deserving of representation — are not left out.
A clear policy would also reinforce consistency across changes in membership or staff, reduce uncertainty for new participants, and demonstrate the Commission’s ongoing commitment to transparency. It is not a bureaucratic formality. It is a public service.
SCEC Administrator of Elections Linda Phillips recently noted that the Commission has always allowed comment on any topic, even before state law changed in 2023 to require broader public comment access. That openness is commendable, especially at a time when some Tennessee governing bodies have narrowed public comment to agenda‑only topics. A formal policy would help preserve this tradition of accessibility for the future.
Many county election commissions across Tennessee already maintain adopted public comment policies that are clear, accessible, and easy for residents to understand. By doing the same, Shelby County would align itself with statewide best practices and strengthen public trust.
Memphians understand better than most that democracy is not sustained by laws alone. It is sustained by the practices that make participation possible. An adopted public comment policy is a small step — but one that can produce meaningful benefits for voters and ensure that every resident, regardless of ability, schedule, language, or circumstance, has a fair chance to be heard.
That is not just good governance. It is good democracy.
This column was first published in The Commercial Appeal of Memphis and is reprinted here by permission.
Woodson Maher is an independent journalist based in West Tennessee and member of the Society of Professional Journalists, Investigative Reporters and Editors, and the Education Writers Association.
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