Civic Deserts and Voter Turnout in Ohio
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Paper
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Ballroom
Start Date
21-4-2026 4:45 PM
End Date
21-4-2026 5:00 PM
Abstract
Ohio Voter Turnout varies widely across the state, depending on the area and the civic engagement within that area. Similar to many other states, Ohio also struggles with Civic Deserts. Tufts University’s Kei Kei Kashima Ginsberg and Felicia Sullivan established the concept of a civic desert that is defined as communities that lack opportunity and infrastructure for civic engagement that can lead to reduced political participation and isolation. These civic deserts lack opportunities for political engagement, with a lack of infrastructure and a lack of active political groups to encourage citizens to engage in civics.
In Ohio, specifically rural areas, it is important to analyze the civic engagement in counties where these civic deserts are present, and directly compare to find the possibility of a relationship between civic deserts and voter turnout. Understanding these lack of opportunities can give way to a lack of representation in the legislature from these areas, because of the possibility of their low voter turnout.
Recommended Citation
House, Paige E., "Civic Deserts and Voter Turnout in Ohio" (2026). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 33.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2026/Papers/33
Open Access
Available to all.
Civic Deserts and Voter Turnout in Ohio
ONU McIntosh Center; Ballroom
Ohio Voter Turnout varies widely across the state, depending on the area and the civic engagement within that area. Similar to many other states, Ohio also struggles with Civic Deserts. Tufts University’s Kei Kei Kashima Ginsberg and Felicia Sullivan established the concept of a civic desert that is defined as communities that lack opportunity and infrastructure for civic engagement that can lead to reduced political participation and isolation. These civic deserts lack opportunities for political engagement, with a lack of infrastructure and a lack of active political groups to encourage citizens to engage in civics.
In Ohio, specifically rural areas, it is important to analyze the civic engagement in counties where these civic deserts are present, and directly compare to find the possibility of a relationship between civic deserts and voter turnout. Understanding these lack of opportunities can give way to a lack of representation in the legislature from these areas, because of the possibility of their low voter turnout.