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Year after year we continue to see disengagement of residents and citizens with their government. In a report from Pew Research Study in 2018, only about 29% of participants attended a local government meeting (Pew Research Center, 2018). (It would be interesting to see a repeat of this study to see how Covid and the Digital Transformation have affected these numbers). Additionally, in a different study on voter turnout, only 15-27% of eligible voters cast a vote in their local elections (Brennan, 2020).
How agencies can support growth in civic participation numbers and encourage public sector engagement from citizens
Some may suggest that social media or hosting city council meetings virtually may be good options. Both are great starting points. Another way to possibly encourage participation would be to open the channels of two way communication and make it easier for citizens to reach their local government officials. Additionally, in a quote from a recent article in Route Fifty, state and local government research leader at Deloitte, John O’Leary, states “a good online experience correlates positively with the trust in government.” (Barrett & Greene, 2024)
Citizen engagement software solutions are a great way to enhance the online experience for citizens and increase communication. One citizen engagement software platform, FrontDesk by gWorks, has all the tools needed to encourage communication between a local government and their citizens. Like social media, local leaders are able to make posts and updates on a centralized page, however, in addition, they have the capabilities to send out text and email alerts. With the cloud-based platform, local leaders can also receive 311 citizen requests, so the right person is alerted to different problems or issues around the city, and are able to address the need promptly.
Streamlined Communication
By implementing a citizen engagement system, no one will have any excuse or hindrance in keeping up with the news from their local government, and their local government will also have a more streamlined system to better respond and address the concerns of citizens. These tools become indispensable as they offer a seamless online experience and empower local leaders to communicate effectively. The adoption of platforms like FrontDesk not only bridges the gap between citizens and their local governments, but also lays the foundation for a more connected and participatory democratic future.
References:
Barrett , K., & Greene, R. (2024, February 21). Trust in government, and opportunities to rebuild it. Route Fifty. https://www.route-fifty.com/management/2024/02/trust-government-and-opportunities-rebuild-it/394343/
Brennan, J. (2020). Increasing Voter Turnout in Local Elections. National Civic Review, 109(1). https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/ncr-article/increasing-voter-turnout-in-local-elections/
Pew Research Center. (2018, April 26). 10. political engagement, knowledge and the midterms. Pew Research Center - U.S. Politics & Policy. https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2018/04/26/10-political-engagement-knowledge-and-the-midterms/