Digital Town Hall: How local officials use the Internet and the civic benefits they cite from dealing with constituents online
10/2/2002 | 
Report | Elena Larsen Lee Rainie
A survey of 520 locally-elected officials, such as mayors and city council members, showed that the vast majority use the Internet and say they profit from it. This rapid growth of Internet use is also injecting new life into community affairs. More citizens and local groups are being heard and recognized thanks to email. Some 73% of online officials note that email exchanges with constituents help them better understand public opinion; 56% of online officials say their use of email has improved their relations with community groups; 54% of online officials say that their use of email has brought them into contact with citizens from whom they had not heard before; and 32% have been persuaded by email lobbying campaigns at least in part about the merits of a group’s argument on a policy question.
Other E-Gov & E-Policy Resources
Report | Most Chinese Say They Approve of Government Internet Control
Memo | Election Newshounds Speak Up
Report | Election 2006 Online
Memo | Robo-calls in the 2006 campaign
Memo | More Americans turn to the internet for news about politics
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