Proximity Politics: Explaining Political Behavior in School Board Elections

• In Event: Governing Democracy: School Boards, Elections, and Local Policy Responses

Abstract

This study introduces a new theory of “proximity politics” to explain civic participation in school board elections. Drawing on an original two-wave national panel survey conducted before and after the 2024 election, I find that engagement is most strongly predicted by relational proximity to public education—especially among public school parents and those with prior political interest. Traditional predictors like partisanship and socioeconomic status are less influential. These findings challenge dominant models of local political behavior and suggest that institutional connection to schools—not ideology—is a key driver of democratic participation. The study offers new insights for education researchers and policymakers seeking to strengthen equity, representation, and civic engagement in school governance.

Author

• Jonathan E. Collins, Teachers College, Columbia University