Disconnected Democracy

Today we’re going to discuss the Ohio Newsroom's Disconnected Democracy Series, find out some lessons learned from reporters involved in the project, and highlight some of the unique voices heard during the series.

Deliberative town halls are a solution meant to help elected officials and their constituents bridge the communication gap at a time of heightened polarization.

Every election, dozens of races across the state at nearly every level of government lack competition. Whether there is a one-party dominated Congressional district or an entrenched incumbent in a state general assembly seat scaring off challengers, many voters heading to the polls will find at least one race where their vote is symbolic only.

Betty Jacobs is the executive director of LGBTQ+ Allies Lake County. She hosts support groups, counsels families and advocates to elected officials. But it's hard work to do alone.

Small businesses all over Ohio have suffered financially throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. But they’ve also struggled with big decisions – often with political overtones – about how to keep their customers and employees safe.

Lauren Kelley stepped onto the Springfield political scene after George Floyd was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer. At a time when tensions were soaring nationally, her goal was to help establish a working relationship between the police and the Black community.

When voters head to the polls, they pick representatives responsible for making decisions on taxing. Those decisions can be anything from funding services in local governments to tax loopholes for corporations and tax breaks for the wealthy.

These days it can feel like politics - and politicians - are more divided than ever, but an interesting thing is happening in University Heights.

Over the last couple decades, rural Ohio has turned into a reliably Republican part of the country, but there are a couple blue dots in that big red sea. Take, for example, Shelly Hayes.