Graduation Term
Spring 2025
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Department of Politics and Government: Political Science
Committee Chair
Lori Riverstone
Committee Member
Megan Hopper
Committee Member
Harriett Steinbach
Abstract
The loss of local news sources has social and political consequences. The effects of media decline have been studied extensively at the national level and less so at the state level. However, this is only the second attempt to examine the effects of local media decline. This thesis argues that local media is in crisis, and its decline is correlated with another crisis: diminishing municipal voter turnout. This research examines losses in local newspapers in 45 Illinois counties and how that decline has affected voter turnout in municipal elections held from 2005 to 2023. Regression results suggest that voter turnout in local elections declines with the loss of each local newspaper.
Access Type
Thesis-Open Access
Recommended Citation
Libert, Melissa Boehning, "The Future of Democracy is at Risk as Declining Local Media Erodes Voter Turnout" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 2094.
https://ir.library.illinoisstate.edu/etd/2094