University of Chicago Center for Effective Government’s Post

2024 is the year of the election and we at CivicPulse wanted to know about recent uncontested local US elections. Our survey in partnership with Professor Curtis Bram at the University of Texas at Dallas asked local officials about the competitiveness of their most recent election, most of which occurred in 2022. We were able to compare results to a prior survey we conducted on uncontested elections in 2018 as well as external sources for state legislature and congressional elections.  For those findings check out: https://lnkd.in/eB95dzvC Survey respondents also expanded understanding of local election competitiveness in their communities through open-ended responses. To read some of their insights, scroll through the images below. #election #vote #politics #localElections #localGov 

ICYMI: Learn why changing the timing of local elections to coincide with higher-profile federal and state elections dramatically increases turnout and produces a more representative set of voters. In this practical research guide from our Democracy Reform Primer Series, Professor Christopher Berry discusses the existing challenges in turnout for local elections and explores potential solutions.  📥 #democracy #reform #primers #elections Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago

“In most cases, the majority of voters don’t decide elections – rather, the tiny sliver of voters who participate in party primaries do. The voters who engage in these low-turnout affairs are unrepresentative of the electorate as a whole, yet they hold the keys to most politicians’ reelection. Politicians often risk being “primaried” by these voters should they dare work across the aisle.” Unite America Executive Director @NickTroiano’s op-ed for US News and World Report States with open, all-candidate primaries have seen more competitive elections, more meaningful voter participation, and decreased polarization. https://bit.ly/48B8lC6

Primary Elections: Closed vs. Open - What's the Difference? Ever wondered how primary elections work and why they matter? Whether you're a seasoned voter or new to the political scene, understanding the differences between closed and open primaries is crucial! Closed Primaries: Only registered party members can vote. This ensures party loyalty but can exclude independents and lead to more polarized candidates. Open Primaries: All voters can participate, regardless of party affiliation. This encourages higher voter turnout and more moderate candidates but can dilute party values. Which system do you think is better for our democracy? Dive into the pros and cons in our latest blog post! https://lnkd.in/g2u_Qj4U #Elections #Voting #PrimaryElections #ClosedPrimaries #OpenPrimaries #Democracy #VoterEducation #Politics

“Improvements in voter representativeness is greatest when local elections are switched to coincide with presidential elections, while those synced with midterm or primary elections see smaller improvements.” Even though the outcomes of local government elections typically have a significant impact on the day-to-day life of the average voter, turnout is startlingly low. In this installment of our Democracy Reform Primer Series, Christopher Berry from the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago explores how syncing local elections to coincide with higher-level elections might be the solution to “The Problem of Low Turnout." Scroll to read more or download the paper here: https://bit.ly/4dIH0Q7 #LocalElections #VoterTurnout #US #Elections

How Economic Decisions Influence Election Outcomes Discover how economic factors shape voter behavior and political strategies in a democracy. This video dives into the critical role of economic conditions during elections and how politicians tailor their messages to resonate with voters’ concerns. #Elections #EconomicDecisions #PoliticalStrategy #VotingBehavior #Democracy #Reelection #EconomicGrowth #Politics #VoterEngagement #ElectionInfluence

BallotReady’s (HGL 1) analysis of the last 4 general elections (November 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023) found that nearly 70% of the positions on the ballot went uncontested, leaving voters with little to no choice at the ballot box. This issue is especially prevalent in rural areas, where many local races are entirely unopposed, and where Democrats failed to field a candidate in over 50% of partisan offices during the 2022 midterms. BallotReady is bringing attention to this gap and helping to ensure voters can make meaningful decisions in every election, at every level. Read more about their research in The New York Times below and learn how this issue is impacting elections nationwide.

As we gear up for the 2024 National Elections, ensuring the safety of our clients remains our top priority. With Election Day set for May 29, 2024, preparations are in full swing. Here is some information regarding the National Elections. In total, there will be 23,292 voting stations spread across all nine provinces, with KwaZulu-Natal leading the count at 4,974 stations, followed closely by the Eastern Cape with 4,868 and Limpopo with 3,216. On Election Day, each voter will receive three ballot papers: the National Compensatory ballot, the National Regional ballot, and the Provincial Legislature ballot. According to the official Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) website, a record-breaking 27.79 million voters are eligible to participate this year, marking the highest total since the country's transition to democracy. Rest assured, as we approach this significant event, we are committed to ensuring a smooth and secure voting process for all. Stay informed and exercise your democratic right! #ElectionPreparation #SafetyFirst #Democracy #elections2024

Ahead of upcoming elections, I discuss PM Modi's strategy to reach out to young voters, especially first-time voters. #loksabhaelections #PMModi #politics

3 reasons why every individual should promote elections With elections round the corner, it's important to remember why every individual should actively participate in the democratic process. The government is spreading awareness about voting and the importance it has. As rightful citizens, it is our responsibility to take a step and promote it ourselves. 👉🏻 Elections provide a platform for every individual to put forward their voice and vote for the leaders that align with their values. 👉🏻 This serves as a catalyst for change. Through mass participation, we have the power to bring a meaningful societal transformation. 👉🏻Each vote is an add on to the foundation of democracy. By promoting elections, we foster transparency and accountability. As youths it is our duty to educate people around us about the importance of elections and how casting a vote is your right. After all, it's the core value we must have. :) #elections #voting #youth