Local residents in Bucks County and political experts talk about the challenges voters face in getting engaged in local government and local elections. University of Pennsylvania professor and political scientist Daniel Hopkins discusses the effect lack of engagement can have on a democracy and what can be done to get more voters involved in local elections. News podcast by Bucks County Courier Times Reporter Marion Callahan. Follow Marion on Facebook: @marionreports

Weighing In On Local Elections (1)

While greater numbers of voters gravitate to the polls on presidential elections that take place every four years, local elections, such as the one approaching Nov. 5, typically draw a fraction of those crowds. In this podcast, Marion Callahan talked with Daniel J. Hopkins, a University of Pennsylvania professor and political scientist who wrote about the disconnect between national political behavior and localized elections in his book, The Increasingly United States: How and Why American Political Behavior Nationalized.

University of Pennsylvania Political Scientist Dan Hopkins speaks on local elections

Local elections typically draw half the crowds to the polls, compared with presidential elections. Some say it's a lack of interest or knowledge on how local government works and who runs it. Well, one North Penn senior who is not even old enough to vote, is among a group of students working to educate area residents on the candidates and issues. Reporter Marion Callahan talks with Alexis Bamford about her take on local politics.

North Penn's Alexis Bamford talks local politics

March 14 County press conference on coronavirus

Bucks County Coronavirus update March 14

Interview with an Uber driver

From the Bucks County Emergency Services Operations Center, director Scott T. Forster and his team are fielding calls from municipalities, senior care centers and other agencies looking for direction and supplies. Here, Forster talks to reporter Marion Callahan about the current situation and the challenges they are facing. He also talks of ways people can join organizations to help respond.

Interview with Bucks County Emergency Services director on Coronavirus response

In an interview March 17, reporter Marion Callahan interviews Bucks County's Department of Health Director David Damsker, who talks about testing availability in the face of shortages and what's expected in the coming weeks as more cases surface.

Marion Reports