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Democracy and Elections Program

CivicPulse’s Democracy and Elections Program covers work on constituent engagement, the role of local media, and our ongoing work on threats, harassment, and political violence. 

Ongoing Democracy and Elections Projects

In partnership with the Bridging Divides Initiative (BDI) at Princeton University, CivicPulse has been tracking the rate at which local elected leaders are experiencing threats, harassment, or physical attacks since the summer of 2022.

Past Democracy and Elections Research

Research Brief

October 30, 2024

In their own words: Election officials on addressing distrust and fears of violence

Research Report

October 23, 2024

Polarization in America: Survey of Local Government

Research Brief

January 31, 2024

Consequences of Hostility on Local Governance

Research Brief

November 30, 2023

Update on Local Government News Deserts

Research Brief

September 26, 2023

The Cost of Local Government Leadership

Research Brief

February 28, 2023

How Local Elected Officials Navigate Experiences of Hostility on Social Media

Academic Papers

October 20, 2022

Local News and the Electoral Incentive to Invest in Infrastructure

Partner Report

February 21, 2021

American Democracy at the Start of the Biden Presidency

Partner Report

April 17, 2019

Democratic Values and Perceived Performance

Research Brief

October 29, 2024

Who perpetrates acts of hostility against local and state officials?

Research Brief

May 31, 2024

How Many Local Elections Are Uncontested?

Partner Report

January 25, 2024

Intimidation of State and Local Officeholders: The Threat to Democracy

Research Brief

November 30, 2023

How Hostility is Affecting Both Parties

Research Report

September 23, 2023

Local Government Threats and Harassment Benchmarking Report

Research Report

January 1, 2023

Local Government Threats and Harassment Benchmarking Report

Research Brief

April 30, 2022

Dismal levels of media coverage of local government board meetings

Research Report

October 20, 2020

Patterns of Local Protest against COVID-19 Restrictions across America

Research Brief

October 29, 2024

Incumbent State Legislators Face Heightened Rates of Hostile Incidents

Research Brief

April 30, 2024

Impact of Hostility on School Board Officials Mirrors Experiences of Other Officials

Academic Papers

December 1, 2023

Threats as Political Communication

Research Report

November 30, 2023

Local Government Threats and Harassment Benchmarking Report

Partner Report

May 25, 2023

In Their Own Words: Threats and Harassment Facing Local Officials

Research Brief

December 14, 2022

High Rates of Harassment and Threats May Deter Entry Into Local Politics

Academic Papers

December 12, 2021

Listening to the people: politicians’ investment in monitoring public opinion and their beliefs about accountability

Research Brief

July 13, 2020

Improving citizen engagement in online forums & public meetings

Support Democracy and Elections Research

Work with us on research

We are interested in learning about your projects that align with our Democracy and Elections Program. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us at info@civicpulse.org.

Support democracy and elections program

We are always happy to hear from potential supporters who are interested in funding a specific program. Email us at info@civicpulse.org to learn more about how CivicPulse uses program grants.

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