For this week before election day, some of our most important content is free to to all readers. 

Starting today, April 25, and through election day for the Shelby County primaries, May 3, we’ll be making all of our extensive election coverage free to readers. 

It’s part of our commitment to the community and a recognition of the critical role journalism plays in elections and democracy. 

Conaway: In Sunshine, we can see who we are

Those are lofty words, but they’re true. Increasingly, studies have shown that in communities where local news has been cut back, voting participation decreases, as do other forms of citizen engagement in important issues.

Throughout the country, nearly 35,000 local journalism jobs have been eliminated in the last 15 years. That’s bad for elections, for voters and for democracy.

Memphis area politics, all in one place

We’ll also make our election coverage free prior to the other election days this year, including the county general election and the primary for state and federal positions on Aug. 4, and state and federal general election Nov. 8. (There are municipal elections on both those dates as well. Learn more about all the positions on the ballot here) 

Also be sure to subscribe to On the Ballot for weekly updates on the elections. This free newsletter provides you an update of our latest coverage each Tuesday.

Some will certainly ask why, if local news is this important, we don’t make all of our election coverage free year-round. The truth is that doing so simply isn’t financially possible. 

A note to readers from Eric Barnes and Andy Cates

Local news is a very difficult business. The closing of thousands of papers nationwide is a testament to this reality. But, as Andy Cates, our board chair, and I described in a note to readers earlier this year, because of the support of readers, advertisers and donors like you, The Daily Memphian has been able to continue to grow from 25 journalists when we launched in 2018 to 40 positions today.

If you’re not yet a subscriber, please subscribe today. And if you want to donate to support The Daily Memphian, including free coverage such as this, please do. 

Thanks for your support.