Jennifer L. Lawless is the Leone Reaves and George W. Spicer Professor of Politics and professor of public policy at UVA’s Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. She said that in past few decades turnout in U.S. presidential elections soared, education levels hit historic highs and the internet made information more accessible than ever. At the same time, Americans grew less engaged with local politics and elections. She sees the demise of local news as a major culprit. “As newspapers have suffered financially and slashed newsroom staff, they have dramatically cut their coverage of mayors, city halls, school boards, county commissions and virtually every aspect of local government. In turn, fewer Americans now know who their local elected officials are and turnout in local elections has plummeted,” Lawless said.
Jennifer Lawless
