Getting Voters Connected: Broadband’s Role in Access to Election Info

The internet plays an ineffable role in our election process. But imagine if you didn’t have internet access to livestream the recent debates, or if you couldn’t read up on the candidates’ policy platforms with a quick Google search. Worse than that, what if you missed your state’s voter registration deadline or couldn’t locate your polling site, since you couldn’t look it up online? It’s often overlooked that many Americans still don’t have high-speed internet access, even in 2024 when our lives have increasingly shifted online. While we use the internet every day to learn, work and connect with others, it’s also how we participate in democracy and remain civically engaged. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, the integrity of our elections greatly benefits from expanded connectivity. Improved technological infrastructure not only safeguards our election processes, but also helps make voting easier.