News Hole: The Demise of Local Journalism and Political Engagement

In recent decades, turnout in US presidential elections has soared, education levels have hit historic highs, and the internet has made information more accessible than ever. Yet over that same period, Americans have grown less engaged with local politics and elections. Drawing on detailed analysis of fifteen years of reporting in over 200 local newspapers, along with election returns, surveys, and interviews with journalists, this study by Political Science's Danny Hayes shows that the demise of local journalism has played a key role in the decline of civic engagement.