Lack of local news and information biggest cause of declining millennial turnout: New Knight report

[eridani]

http://www.knightfoundation.org/press-room/press-release/lack-local-news-and-information-biggest-cause-decl/

The lack of news and information about local political candidates and issues is the primary reason millennials give for why they do not vote in local elections according to a new report. The report, which explores the causes behind low turnout for local elections among young adults, was released by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in association with Lake Research Partners.

The report aligns with other research that suggests young adults continue to vote at lower rates than other age groups, even as overall voter turnout is declining. This report explored the “why” behind these numbers by conducting focus groups with millennial (ages 20-34) drop-off voters who participated in the last national election but not in recent local elections. A total of 60 millennial drop-off voters participated in a series of focus groups held in Akron, Ohio; Miami and Philadelphia to represent geographic, cultural and demographic diversity.

“Millennials’ attitudes about local government range from confused to skeptical and this is keeping them away from polls during local elections,” said Jon Sotsky, Knight Foundation director for strategy and assessment. “Identifying ways of encouraging higher voter turnout in local elections is especially important because young adults are moving into cities and urban areas at higher rates and can be influential agents for changing their communities for the better.”

“The report highlights that young adults care about their cities and have many concerns that local government can address, but these potential voters lack the information, habits, and social cues that would prompt them to engage and participate in local elections,” said David Mermin, partner at Lake Research Partners.

[Zorra]

1. The system works!

[lovemydog]

2. Plus one because this is very important.

We must find a way to stay informed.

We must find ways to keep people interested in their local community.

Corporate media does not do it.

[JI7]

3. did that age group use to turn out in high numbers before ?

one thing to think about is that in the "older" days most people had the same media they would tune into . you had newspapers, tv, and radio.

these days with the internet people have access to more but it also means they can decide what they want to focus on. unlike newspapers, tv and radio where they would hear about whatever was in there with new media they already have a bunch of places they like the check out and focus on.

[Egnever]

4. Was local coverage great before?

I am not sure the conclusion the headline suggests can be drawn.

At 49 I don't remember local coverage of local politicians ever being good in fact it is much easier for me to get info now than it has been at any time in my lifetime.

[Android3.14]

5. Local coverage is great; the problem is local reading

As a local news publisher, I have observed this behavior. It's not Millennials; it's youth.

Young folks (which are currently the Millennials) in general will read all kinds of topics on the internet and nothing on paper. What they often fail to do is read local news, whether digital or paper.

Local news outlets usually have all kinds of articles on local campaigns. Papers receive ad income as well as readership from the local political junkies for publishers to pay attention to local politics. For young people, local news is important only when it touches on their personal lives (Hey, my picture's in the paper!) or if it is about an issue for which the young person cares.

Becoming a news and political junkie is generally an older (40s+) person's addiction.

[yeoman6987]

7. I haven't read my local paper in years

I find it obsolete before I even pick it up. I am Gen X and get all info on line mostly DU, USA Today and Facebook. I am sure I am not unusual.

[A Little Weird]

8. Cost

The younger folks generally have less disposable income and getting a subscription to the local paper is probably not going to be high on their list when so much digital content is free. I know there are a lot of different models out there but my local paper doesn't have much free content online so it is never the first place I go for news. I'm sure that's not the only reason that young people aren't reading the local news, but I think it's a big one.

[Unknown Beatle]

6. The millennial gay demographic are the

people that are paying attention to local elections and voting, at least a higher percentage compared to other millennials.

[sendero]

9. I don't think.....

..... there is much if any information you can get from any newspaper that you can get better and easier on the internet.

This sounds like an excuse to me. Young people have never voted in large numbers in local races as far as I can tell.
I just don't think that they think these elections are really important.

[RobinA]

11. I Have Never

found any information on the internet about local news unless I read the internet version of the paper. Which I don't because I prefer the actual paper. The local TV stations have an Internet presence, but that's most murder, fires and car crashes. Local news is badly covered, but the newspaper does offer something.

[F4lconF16]

10. I disagree.

In all my experience with youth voters, among my friends, myself, and others, I'd say maybe 15% don't vote because of lack of information. The rest know what's going on to some extent, but think the whole system is pointless. That's the real problem. Our country is so nakedly corrup people can't bring themselves to give a shit--voting makes little practical difference in their lives.

Information is key, but given modern access to the internet and social media, I don't think it's the primary cause of not voting, at all.

[RobertEarl]

12. Vote for what?

Tweedle-dee, or Tweedle-dum?

Both are probably ego-maniacs who are hiding something or are looking to make money or gain power.

You want people to vote? Make it more democratic. Once a month a local issue should be voted on. The once every 2 - 4 years vote is too republican.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

13. +1

and add to that, its not the lack of "news", its the disconnect: seldom are they represented, the lack of substance since they see a lot of pre-packaged bickering, the disdain for phoney hype, and the fact that they are most overworked and underpaid generation in ages. Voting to choose between Pepsi and Coke is not high on the priority list when you are struggling, despite doing everything right and working your ass off just to get by.

Edit to add: its not an accident, it's by design. After the 60's and early 70's, the PTB hastily decided to cut every program and funding designed to give youngsters the Opportunities, Voice, and Liberal education. (They succeeded until the internet came about.) Keep em chasing pipe dreams while struggling to pay the rent, competing with 3rd world workers.