Did you vote in the last election? When was the last city council meeting you went to? New research shows Utahns across the board are participating less in their communities, and that has consequences. Here's what to know and some ways to flex that muscle.
Utah Slips in Civic Engagement
The Utah Foundation, a nonpartisan research group, recently released a report measuring the state's social capital, defined as "the ways in which individuals can leverage connections between people and social networks for the benefit of themselves or their community." One way to build social capital is through civic participation.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Utah isn't the powerhouse of civic engagement it once was. Here are the ways we're slipping nationally, according to the Utah Foundation:
🗳️ Voter turnout: We've dropped from 13th in 2018 to 26th in the most recent election.
🙋 Public meetings: Citizen attendance at public meetings has fallen from 3rd in 2019 to 10th in 2023.
💵 Advocacy funds: Utahns donate an average $0.30 to an advocacy organization for every $1,000 they earn, which puts us at 43rd.
What's the Impact?
We've got a real chicken-or-the-egg conundrum here, folks. One of Utah voters' biggest concerns, according to another Utah Foundation study, is politicians not listening to them. So, is it surprising that fewer people are turning out to vote or showing up to public meetings if they feel they're going to be ignored anyway?
At the same time, these are important ways to make your voice heard. The report says civic engagement has "significant implications" for how responsive government is to the needs of its constituents. Makes sense; how will they know what your priorities are if you don't tell them?
How To Get Involved
Sometimes the biggest hurdle to civic engagement is knowing where to start. Here are some resources to set you on your path:
✅ Vote: 2025 is a municipal election year, so Salt Lake City and other towns have candidates on the ballot. Here's how to register to vote or check your registration status.
🤝 Get to know your representatives: Do you know who represents you on the city council? What about in the Utah Legislature? Who's your congress person? Find out, and introduce yourself.
🗣️ Public comment: Wanna weigh in on policy? We have a guide to commenting at your next SLC or Salt Lake County Council meeting. Plus, the Utah Legislature meets throughout the year to discuss priorities for their general session in January. It's a great time for you to share your thoughts.
🫶 Donate money or time: Find an advocacy organization working on issues you care about and volunteer your resources. It could be for anything: immigrant rights, the Great Salt Lake, street safety.
