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The Conversation
The Conversation
Stephanie Leiser, Director, Center for Local, State, and Urban Policy, University of Michigan

Local democracy is holding strong, but rural communities are falling behind, new survey of Michigan officials shows

Democracy Michigan Democratic Party
Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope collects absentee ballots from a drop box in 2024. Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

According to our recent survey of officials in Michigan communities, local democracy is humming along and city hall is taking care of business.

The federal government was shut down in October and November 2025, but cities and towns around the United States continued to fill potholes, purify drinking water, respond to emergency calls and issue construction permits, mostly with little fanfare.

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