FCC Seeks Comment on Broadband's Role in Civic Participation

While civic participation takes many forms, two processes provide the most direct and regular interaction opportunities between government and citizens: 1) the election process, and 2) public hearings and town hall meetings. The election process and voting are essential to maintaining a functioning democracy and are also the civic processes in which the most Americans participate. Public hearings and town hall meetings allow citizens to provide government representatives direct input on specific concerns and provide government representatives a direct means to gauge citizen sentiment. Accordingly, the Federal Communications Commission is seeking tailored comment on how broadband can help to bring democratic processes-including elections, public hearings and town hall meetings-into the digital age, thereby encouraging and facilitating citizen opportunities to engage and participate in their democracy. The FCC public notice is focused on a) registering to vote, b) processes leading up to Election Day, c) voting, and d) online government hearings and online town hall meetings.

Comments are due December 10.