A recent Pew research study reports: “Americans are spending more time with the news than over much of the past decade … . Digital platforms are supplementing the news diets of news consumers, but there is little indication they are expanding the proportion of Americans who get news on a given day … 17% of Americans say they got no news yesterday.” 1

Being altogether or frequently disconnected from information decreases civic engagement. Only 13.6% of Americans who neither access information nor discuss it express political voice compared with 44.4% of Americans who do both. As those who do not consume news are far less likely to participate in all forms of civic engagement, it is vital that information—especially community resources and public information—is available across platforms and in the many languages spoken in our region. Many residents in King (23.2%), Pierce (12.8%), and Snohomish (16.1%) speak a language besides English at home. 2 We must provide ample translation and interpretation services so all residents can participate in civic life.

Equitable and broad internet access is equally critical, not only to provide information but to connect community members to one another and to civic opportunities. America's 2010 Civic Health Assessment reports: “People who have access to the internet in their homes and people who use the internet wherever they have opportunity are more likely to get involved in almost every type of (civic) activity. Adults who use the internet regularly were 20% more likely to vote in the 2008 election than adults who did not use the internet.” 3

In 1999, the City of Tacoma was the first municipality in the nation to offer broadband access and high–speed internet as an alternative to expensive and spotty commercial services. The local Chamber of Commerce believes that new businesses located in the community as a result, and that access to multiple high–speed internet providers makes Tacoma more recession–proof than other urban hubs. The network has expanded into portions of unincorporated Pierce County. Prices are 25–50% lower than areas with no direct competition. The number of customers has increased 1300% over the decade.

America's 2010 Civic Health Index recommends that ensuring access to broadband–quality internet connections should be a high priority for all communities.

It is true that highly connected residents of our region are more engaged in civic life than less connected residents. (Figure 7) In addition, a promising, if early, finding shows the potential for technology to bridge traditional civic gaps. Online platforms and social media may provide engagement opportunities for many Americans who don't belong to a formal organization, especially Millennials and those from diverse economic and educational backgrounds. 4

Residents of greater Seattle participate in non–electoral political acts at a much higher rate (33.5%) than the national average of 21.6%. For the purpose of this report, these activities include contacting ofcials, boycotting, attending political meetings, marching, rallying or protesting, and supporting a candidate or party. There are signicant demographic differences in this participation. Urban dwellers engage more (49.8%) than suburbanites (34.6%). Women engage more (42.5%) than men (37.9%). Married people engage more (44.0%) than single people (37.6%). Hispanics engage at about half the rate as non–Hispanics (22.7% versus 41.3%). Non–electoral political activity is well distributed over different age groups, (Figure 8) but increases with household income.

One of the most serious threats to civic participation is the erosion of public trust.

America's 2009 Civic Health Index reported: “Trust in our government and in other key institutions has reached new lows. Only 6% of Americans have a great deal of confidence in Congress, the Executive Branch, or banks and financial institutions, and major companies occupy the basement of public trust at only 5%.” 5 While comparable and current local data on public trust is not available, Communities Count tracked social cohesion in King County from 2001–2007 by measuring neighborhood public trust and the willingness to intervene on behalf of the common good. Surveys indicated that social cohesion was stable during that eight–year horizon. They also revealed that more than one–fourth of participants said they had experienced some kind of discrimination. That statistic jumps to 41% for people of color and 48% for low–income residents. Between 2003 and 2007, more than half the hate crimes in King County were racially motivated. 6

While trust in institutions is low for people of color and many foreign born, it is important to recognize that they often have a legacy of mobilization for civil rights and social change. Acknowledging and building on that legacy in communities that have public trust barriers will help increase civic engagement and ensure that leaders are built across all communities.

The greater community benets by groups and organizations—like Seattle's CityClub, City Club of Tacoma, League of Women Voters, Municipal League of King County, and many others—that promote civic education, connection, deliberation, and action. These organizations build social capital among residents and community organizations and remediate the erosion of public trust.

RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Maximize the availability of relevant and credible information to all community members and strengthen their capacity to engage with it across platforms.

2. Expand the availability of broadband and high–speed internet throughout the region.

3. Support Seattle's Race & Social Justice Initiative and other public measures to implement a citywide translation and interpretation policy and boost communication and outreach to immigrant and refugee communities.

4. Demand transparency in government processes and decision making.

5. Support organizations and initiatives that build citizen empowerment—especially for youth and communities of color, including foreign–born.

6. Support organizations and initiatives that build social capital and work against the erosion of public trust.