What's the Problem: Metro Council's Public Hearing calendar conflicts with voting rights in Davidson County and privileges voters with flexible work schedules, independent transportation options.

1. Public Hearing on zoning matters is limited to once a month. Metro Nashville Council allows for public comment on other issues at any meeting, but allows public input on pending legislation at only one council meeting per month, and demands speakers meet a lengthy list of requirements for limited time to speak on other topics. If a resident is not able to attend the public hearing for a zoning bill, they are prohibited from speaking on that issue during the public comments time at other meetings.  
2. Public Hearing is, by Metro rule, on the first Tuesday of every month. Election Day, by federal rule, is always on the first Tuesday of November. 
3. Public Hearing begins at 6:30PM. Polls close at 7PM. 
4. If a Nashville resident is unable, by their work, household or other responsibilities, to vote early or to vote during the work day, they would necessarily have to choose between voting and public input on zoning decisions that may have lasting effects on their neighborhoods, transportation, schooling, and work. This schedule inflicts an uneven burden on residents who rely on public transportation or work on mandated work shifts. 

What's the Solution: Metro Council should delay Public Hearing by one week on those dates when Public Hearing conflicts with Election Day. The burden of a single week's delay to a zoning schedule should not outweigh fair and equitable access and input to a representative government. 

Does it really matter?

• The greater the civic engagement, the lower the unemployment rate. 
• The greater the civic engagement, the happier people are, especially people in lower income categories. 
• Voter turnout in Tennessee ranked 50th in the nation in 2014, at the last midterm elections.
• While turnout across the country may be on the rise, obstacles to voting in Tennessee have dropped us from 10th in the nation for voter ease and innovation to 48th in the last twenty years.
• The most recent data suggest that only 47% of registered voters are committed to voting on November 6th. 
• Local leaders across the aisle are working to change increase voter participation, from Project Register, the bipartisan partnership of US Representative Jim Cooper and TN State Senator Steve Dickerson, to the efforts by Mayor Briley's Youth Council to register young voters. But critical decisions are still being made by less than 10% of registered voters in Davidson County. 

We should be seeking ways to increase access to the polls and increase engagement in our local government. Metro Government should be part of the solution. Please delay the November 6, 2018 Metro Council Public Hearing meeting and adopt legislation preventing such a conflict in the future.