From “Printed voter guides are a necessary service” on Greater Greater Washington, April 30:

In an effort to cut costs for the low-turnout special election, DCBOEE decided to forgo their usual practice of mailing an election guide to registered voters. Instead, they mailed a postcard notifying voters of the upcoming election and published an online-only voter guide. [...]

We live in an increasingly digitally-connected world. not everyone has, or wants, access to the internet. According to a 2010 report by DC’s Office of the Chief Technology Officer, broadband adoption rates sit near 40% in Wards 5, 7, and 8 but soar to 90% elsewhere.

Quite simply, limiting the media of voter education in turn limits the pool of educated voters. The author mentions that, on election day, an elderly voter (also a recent DC transplant) confided that she had never heard of most of the candidates. But moreover, it limits the pool of likely voters.

To get to know the candidates in the special election, voters needed access to a computer or the ability to listen to NPR. And if voters don’t know about the candidates, we won’t talk about them. We won’t discuss them with our friends; we won’t remind one another to get to the polls on time.

For sure, the electronic voter guides did not cause the sub-10% turnout rate — special elections lack the same draw as the November elections. Nonetheless, access to voter education should not be contingent upon technology that nearly half of the District does not possess. As GGW points out, “until the Internet access is more equally available citywide, the practice of publishing physical voter guides should be maintained.”

This discussion also harkens back to an earlier GoodWorks post. An article in NY Times Magazine pointed out that “children’s experiences inside the classroom are responsible for as little as 20% of their overall educational development.” And just as educational success is not just about teaching — voter engagement is not just about voting. Technology, transportation, and communication are equally vital. Civil services and community resources are interconnected. And taking away one can affect myriad others.