The Headlines
Earlier this month, a colleague shared with me new research on how “close-to-home” information sources impact voter confidence in elections. The research finds “sources that enjoy ’close to home’ status – local election offices, local/regional TV, and print publications – increase the chances that voters are exposed to accurate information; relying on these sources therefore results in higher voter confidence, especially that one’s vote, votes in one’s community, and votes in one’s state would count accurately.”
This is great news for Voters Ed Fund and our flagship program My City Votes. By helping connect local government officials and community organization leaders to the broader public in our My City Votes cities, we have the opportunity to increase not just participation in elections and engagement with local and state government, but also confidence in our elections and our democratic institutions overall.
The Details
- My City Votes is a strategic collaboration with city officials and community partners to maximize voter education and participation.
- In previous years, My City Votes has focused on increasing voter turnout primarily by supporting local municipalities in reaching their voters through digital ads, direct mail, and dedicated websites.
- Now we are re-envisioning that program as a continuous effort to be involved and present in communities and to establish ongoing relationships between community members and local leaders who can serve as “close to home” sources of vital voter information.
- We are also planning to identify trusted local media sources and generate earned media to increase the availability of trusted information.
- Ultimately, our goal is to help voters build power for themselves, because as it says in the first line of Michigan’s constitution, all political power is inherent in the people.
- In 2025, My City Votes will maintain an active presence in six current cities: Benton Harbor, Grand Rapids, Muskegon Heights, Pontiac, Flint, and Warren. We are also exploring potential expansion into Ypsilanti, Inkster, and Oak Park.
- We will strengthen our existing organizational partnerships and build new partnerships through collaborative projects and sharing of resources and expertise.
- In order to capitalize on the effectiveness of “close-to-home” sources, we will also be facilitating community leadership development by providing organizing support and implementing a subgranting program.
- Organizational support will be determined by the needs of our community partners, but may include technical assistance, strategic planning guidance, resource connection, and capacity building workshops.
- Along with organizational partnerships, we will also work to maintain and strengthen our relationships with municipal leaders, as well as facilitating conversations between officials and community groups.
- My City Votes will also be a platform for encouraging multiple forms of civic engagement, including local participation on boards and commissions along with our regular election education.
- I’m also pleased to share that our grassroots activist education program, Democracy Academy, will merge with My City Votes to develop culturally responsive and community-specific curriculum modules that will incorporate local context and include practical application components.
What’s Next
For years, we have heard from voters and community organizers alike that too many political organizations only show up in communities when it’s time for another election. Through My City Votes, we are disrupting that pattern and establishing lasting ties between Voters Ed Fund, our municipal and organizational partners, and the communities we wish to serve.
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