Discussion Post: American State and Local Politics
a. Discuss representation, participation, and voter turnout in local elections. What trends do you see, and what are their impacts?
b. For this paper, you will attend a city or county council/commission meeting and present its topics, relevant discussion, and outcome. You will then provide an analysis of and response to the meeting and whether you agreed with the steps/actions taken by the council/commission, and explain why you agreed or disagreed.
Be sure to include the following in your paper:
o agenda items,
o items that required a vote and the outcome of those votes,
o any contentious issues and analysis of the problem, and
o any items of particular interest.
Address the following questions:
a) Could you determine any conservative or liberal leanings by the members based on their comments or vote?
b) What community services were addressed in the meeting? In what ways did the council/commission discuss supporting those services?
c) In what ways did individuals in the political minority influence decisions made at this meeting?
d) Was the meeting what you expected? Would you have voted with the majority? Elaborate on your response.
The response must include a reference list. One-inch margins, double-space, Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font and APA style of writing and citations.