Disconnected Democracy

In a time of increased partisan polarization, the Ohio Newsroom's collaborative project asked where democracy is working and where it's not.

For the Ohio Newsroom's "Disconnected Democracy" series, Ideastream Public Media, WOSU in Columbus and WVXU in Cincinnati explore the issue of whether democracy is working around the state.

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

Public education in Ohio has become polarized over the last few years as Ohio lawmakers debate bills to restrict how teachers address topics such as race, sexuality and gender. Teachers say the political debate is adding tremendous pressure to what’s already a pretty stressful job, some fearing for democracy as a result.

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.

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.

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.

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.