Master of Public Administration
Date
5-2025
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Master of Public Administration (MPA)
Department
School of Professional Studies
Chief Instructor
Mary M. Piecewicz
Keywords
social determinents of health, low voter registration, municipal election, department of public health
Abstract
Worcester, the second-largest city in New England, has undergone significant changes throughout its history. Although it is diverse, it is still segregated by race and income, with disparities evident across various data sets. Non-clinical factors significantly influence a person's health, and voting is a right that may not be accessible to everyone for several reasons. Local elections generally impact residents more than Presidential elections, but voter participation in Worcester's local elections is declining. This research project will investigate the factors contributing to voter apathy in Worcester and outline the process for identifying these issues and addressing them effectively. This project will utilize public health methods to address voter apathy, which is not common in my research. Specifically, Worcester's voting data will be analyzed and compared with other city data that captures social determinants of health. The Participatory Action Research approach develops data collection instruments, analyzes data, and reports findings with the community it most effects. This collaboration with residents includes their experiences in the process and aims to build trust and, most importantly, practical strategies that will contribute to change. This process will also engage stakeholders who have decision-making power. Those stakeholders will be presented with a data-driven community story and will implement strategies to make voting accessible to Worcester's eligible voters. The literature review will examine local newspapers and information regarding residents' sentiments towards local politics and patterns in low voter turnout. It will discuss voter apathy, its origins, and potential interventions to address or prevent it. Barriers to voting, such as language, transportation, and education, will be elaborated. Additionally, the impact of individualism on community engagement and voting patterns is considered. The connection between voter engagement and social determinants of health (SDoH) is used for the research framework.
Recommended Citation
Torres, Engle, "Increasing Voter Engagement Through Participatory Action Research with a Community Health Lens in the City of Worcester" (2025). Master of Public Administration. 2.
https://commons.clarku.edu/mpa/2
Worcester
Yes
