What Croydon, New Hampshire, Can Teach Us About Civic Engagement

In the picturesque town of Croydon, New Hampshire, population 800, something extraordinary happened that reignited a community’s belief in democracy — and delivered a powerful lesson in the importance of showing up. This small town, with its one-room schoolhouse, general store, and a town hall with an 1876 American flag, might seem like a relic of simpler times. But the events that unfolded in 2022 proved that democracy is far from a passive institution. It’s something that requires active participation, every day.

What happened in Croydon serves as a cautionary tale about complacency and the consequences of not engaging civically. But it also shows the redemptive power of collective action. Croydon, like so many other places in America, was experiencing a decline in democratic participation — until one drastic proposal jolted the town awake. It’s a story that holds lessons for all of us about the state of democracy in the U.S., the barriers to civic engagement, and what could change if we fostered a culture of local, ongoing participation rather than focusing solely on national politics during election cycles.

Crisis in Croydon: A Cautionary Tale (Barry, NYT 2022)

The trouble began, as it often does, in the quiet corners of a local government meeting. In March 2022, a few Croydon residents gathered for their annual meeting to approve the town and school budgets. It was a routine exercise of direct democracy, and as usual, attendance was low. The meeting proceeded as expected — until a town selectman named Ian Underwood proposed slashing the school budget by more than half. He argued that public education spending had ballooned while student outcomes remained stagnant and that the town could get by with $800,000 instead of the $1.7 million budgeted.

The residents in attendance — fewer than 40 of them — were blindsided. “I was practically kicking myself in the ass for not being there,” said Ed Spiker, a local contractor whose two sons attend public school. The vote passed 20 to 14 — suddenly, more than half of the school’s operating budget was gone, leaving families scrambling to come up with resources for their kids to attend nearby schools.

“I assumed our town would take care of it,” Spiker lamented later, realizing the cost of not showing up.

But it wasn’t just the lost budget that was shocking. It was a wake-up call that the local democratic process was vulnerable to the small number of people who did show up, ready to make drastic changes. “Showing up. That’s the big lesson,” said Chris Prost, a Croydon resident and brewery owner. “And not just showing up, but also knowing what’s going on.”

The Dangers of Democratic Complacency

Croydon’s story is a microcosm of a larger issue affecting American democracy: a decline in ongoing civic engagement. Nationally, voter turnout in presidential elections hovers around 60%, but in local elections, turnout is often lower than 20%. These numbers reflect a troubling reality: many people care deeply about political issues, but translating that passion into action doesn’t happen enough.

This disengagement can stem from a number of barriers, including:

• Time constraints: People are busy, juggling work, family, and other obligations, and finding time to stay informed about local politics often falls to the wayside.

• Voter apathy: Years of political gridlock and sensationalized media have made many feel like their participation won’t make a difference.

• Gerrymandering and suppression: In many districts, gerrymandering and voter suppression tactics make people feel like their vote doesn’t count, further dissuading engagement.

• Complexity of issues: Even for those who want to stay informed, navigating local political issues, budgets, and elections can feel overwhelming.

Croydon’s experience revealed a democracy mired in indifference. But it also showed what happens when that indifference gives way to action. Spurred by the sudden budget cut, a diverse coalition of Croydon residents — conservatives, liberals, and independents — formed the We Stand Up for Croydon Students movement, working to reverse the decision. In May, a special town meeting was called, and the town saw a turnout of 379 voters — a stunning number for a town of 800. They overturned the budget cut by an overwhelming 377 to 2.

What Could Be Different? The Power of Ongoing Engagement

Imagine if what happened in Croydon weren’t an anomaly but the norm. What if citizens across America stayed engaged — not just during election cycles, but year-round? The consequences of such engagement could be transformative.

1. Locally — More consistent participation would lead to more equitable governance. Decisions about public schools, housing, and transportation would be shaped by a larger, more representative portion of the population. Policies would reflect the needs of the whole community, rather than being swayed by a small, vocal minority. In many cities, critical decisions like whether to close schools, raise taxes for education, or change zoning laws to create affordable housing are often made by a small, vocal group that doesn’t represent the whole community. For example, in many places, wealthy neighborhoods push back against the building of affordable housing because they show up to planning meetings, while those in need of affordable housing aren’t represented due to lack of time, resources, or awareness of the meetings themselves. Many working-class individuals or marginalized groups may be juggling multiple jobs, childcare, or transportation issues, which make it difficult to attend. Additionally, information about these meetings may not be effectively communicated to lower-income communities, further perpetuating their exclusion from the decision-making process. If more people participated consistently, decisions about housing wouldn’t just reflect the interests of homeowners but also renters, young families, and marginalized groups. Public transportation funding could be decided with input from those who rely on it every day, not just those who prefer to drive. School curriculums and budgets would reflect the priorities of a diverse group of parents, ensuring that all students — regardless of their zip code — receive quality education.

2. Nationally — When people are engaged at the local level, they become more informed and empowered to participate nationally. A more active electorate would hold politicians accountable throughout their terms, not just during campaigns. This would lead to a government that is more responsive and representative of the people it serves. Take climate change as an example. Local governments are often the first to implement practical policies on renewable energy, water conservation, or green spaces. People who get involved in those decisions are not only improving their communities but also learning how to advocate for bigger national policies. Engaged citizens might start by showing up to a town meeting on local air pollution and end up contributing to national conversations on environmental regulation. Further, the pressure on national politicians would grow if citizens actively participated between elections. Politicians would know that their constituents are watching, engaging, and demanding better policies. No longer would they be able to make promises during campaigns and disappear for four years. With year-round civic engagement, there would be more scrutiny and accountability, leading to a government that serves all people, not just those with the loudest voices or deepest pockets.

3. Personally — On a personal level, staying civically engaged can transform your sense of empowerment. Many people feel disillusioned with politics because it seems so distant and disconnected from daily life. But engagement at the local level helps bridge that gap. Imagine attending a local meeting about a proposed park in your neighborhood. At first, it might seem like a small issue, but by participating, you realize that you can actually shape the outcome. Maybe your input helps ensure that the park has space for kids to play or includes a community garden. Over time, these small wins build a sense of connection and belonging. You start to realize that democracy isn’t just something that happens in Washington — it happens in your backyard. This builds resilience in communities. When people feel that they can influence what happens around them, they are more likely to take ownership of their neighborhoods, advocate for improvements, and support one another. For instance, a neighborhood group formed around local safety issues could go on to organize community clean-ups or volunteer programs, strengthening social bonds and civic pride.

Ultimately, consistent civic participation fosters personal satisfaction. Rather than feeling powerless, you feel like an integral part of the democratic process, able to influence real change in your world — both small and large. This sense of agency can counteract the widespread apathy that so many people feel today.

The Forces at Play

The same forces that shaped Croydon are at work in larger cities and at the national level. Just as Croydon’s budget was upended by a small, motivated group, many communities across the U.S. see their governance shaped by small factions that show up consistently — while the majority remains disengaged.

In major cities like Los Angeles or New York, policies that affect millions are often shaped by those who show up to local council meetings or school board votes, while others are left on the sidelines. The consequences of this disengagement scale up: local issues grow into national problems, and the cycle of apathy continues.

What happened in Croydon is a reminder that even seemingly small, local decisions can have enormous consequences — and that democracy, whether in a town of 800 or a nation of 300 million, depends on participation.

Shifting the Culture

What can we learn from Croydon? The events in that small New Hampshire town show us that democracy thrives when people show up — not just for elections, but for the day-to-day work of civic engagement. It’s time to shift our thinking away from national headline-driven crises and toward a culture where civic responsibility is an everyday practice.

This means:

• Reimagining civic education to emphasize not just voting but local governance and ongoing participation.

• Leveraging technology to make it easier for people to stay informed and engage with their representatives year-round.

• Building a culture of civic responsibility where showing up isn’t just something we do in response to crises, but something we do because it’s part of the democratic process.

The lesson from Croydon is simple but powerful: democracy is not something that happens to us — it’s something we actively create.

It Starts with Showing Up

The story of Croydon teaches us that the first, most important step in safeguarding democracy is simply showing up. Whether it’s attending a local town meeting, contacting your representative, or participating in a community event, civic engagement starts with presence.

As Chris Prost so succinctly put it: “Showing up. That’s the big lesson. And not just showing up, but also knowing what’s going on.”

If you want to make a difference in your community, start by taking one small step. Find out when your local town or city council meets. Attend a school board meeting. Engage with a local issue that matters to you. Democracy is built on millions of small actions — and it starts with showing up.

The Good News: How VOTER Makes Engagement Easier

The good news is that engaging in democracy, both locally and nationally, has never been easier, thanks to tools like Voter. We’ve talked about the importance of staying informed and showing up, but the truth is, traditional civic engagement can be time-consuming and overwhelming. That’s where technology comes in.

Voter is designed to remove many of the barriers that keep people from participating. Whether it’s understanding who your local representatives are, learning about upcoming elections, or finding out about public meetings, Voter centralizes all of this information in one user-friendly platform. It simplifies the process, offering:

• Personalized Political Profiles: Voter provides detailed information about your local, state, and federal representatives, including their voting records and stances on key issues. This makes it easy to stay informed without spending hours researching.

• Real-Time Updates: Voter notifies you of upcoming elections, town halls, and civic events that matter to you, ensuring you never miss an opportunity to engage.

• Direct Communication Tools: With Voter, you can easily contact your representatives, share your views, or ask questions about policies, making it easier than ever to hold your leaders accountable.

• Polling and Feedback: You can participate in polls on pressing issues, with results shared with relevant representatives. This creates a feedback loop that connects your voice directly to the decision-makers.

By making it simple to stay informed and take action, Voter helps close the gap between citizens and their government. It enables year-round engagement, empowering you to shape the policies that affect your daily life. With Voter, the future of civic participation is not just about voting every few years — it’s about staying connected and involved in the democratic process every day.

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Bibliography

Barry, Dan. “What Croydon, a ‘Live Free or Die’ Town, Learned About Democracy.” The New York Times, 10 July 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/10/us/croydon-free-state-politics.html. Accessed 9 October 2024.