mericans rely primarily on personal networks and news media for voting information about the 2024 U.S. presidential election, according to a survey by researchers at Rutgers and other universities. Younger adults and people with less formal education seek information from friends and family, while older, wealthier and more educated individuals favor news outlets. These findings, the researchers said, raise important questions about the role of local and national media in shaping democratic participation.
“Our research showed that preferences for sources of information also differ across political affiliations,” said Katherine Ognyanova, an associate professor of communication with the Rutgers School of Communication and Information. “Democrats and independents more often choose news media, while Republicans tend to select personal networks. National news sources are more popular than local ones, though local media use is higher among older Americans and those with lower income and education levels. Reported satisfaction with local political news varies widely, with higher satisfaction levels among Black respondents, Democrats and urban residents. D.C. and New York report the highest satisfaction with local news, while Montana and Idaho score highest on dissatisfaction.” To read the full story.