"The Future of Democracy is at Risk as Declining Local Media Erodes Vot" by Melissa Boehning Libert

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

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