LOCAL MUNICIPAL ENGAGEMENT
Austin reports less than a 20% engagement in local elections. City council meetings on average have less than 20% capacity. Low civic engagement means less information circulating between residents and elected representatives.
How might we simplify access and empower residents to engage with their local government?
GUIDING QUESTIONS
How are residents engaging with local government and local issues?
What are the limitations of engagement?
How are elected officials engaging with their constituents?
RESEARCH
Conducting interviews with random sampling of Austin residents sourced through
Downtown and suburban pedestrians
City hall visitors
Austin reddit users
Interviews with city council representative assistant.
Journey Mapping visits with city representatives and attendance at public meetings and events.
Observations of city hall, city council and district meetings/appearances.
KEY INSIGHTS
Inadequate adaptation of political processes to contemporary everyday technology
Inaccessibility of elected representatives/Lack of accountability to constituents outside of elections
Inaccessibility of issue-based knowledge, lack of support in connecting with issues
Timing inaccessibility
scheduling meetings and personal commitment
IDEATION AND PROTOTYPES
"INVOLVE" APP
If we can create a platform with accessible information on current issues discussed within city government, people will be able to engage with issues, learn about organizations focused on issues they care about, and interact with their city representatives. City reps will be more accountable to their constituents based on an in app rating system - involvement within the application and direct community involvement within a given issue.
"SAVE CHANGE TO MAKE CHANGE" CAMPAIGN
If we can incentivize residents via a utility bill subsidization program to vote, people will be more likely to develop a practice of voting and civic engagement.
INVOLVE
Users can search through a range of topics affecting their city.
They can:
Locate accessible break downs of key issues
Find their city representatives stance on issues and how involved they are
Speak to their city rep directly
Engage with other residents and organizations via the message board
Research intersectional and related issues
Get connected with organizations who work within their interests
SAVE CHANGE TO MAKE CHANGE
The poster campaign design shows a fan blowing voting stickers attached to its frame, implying the fan is using electricity acquired from the available subsidy. The tagline reads “Save change to make change” indicating you can save money and affect local change with your civic engagement. Residents may exchange their “I voted sticker” for a utility subsidy voucher through Austin Energy.
