The 2024 election highlighted a growing challenge — a widening gap between voters and the institutions intended to serve them. In Philadelphia, voter turnout dropped to less than 65 percent, down from just over 66 percent in 2020, reflecting a broader national trend. Despite significant investments in advertising, rallies, and outreach, many Americans doubted the impact of their vote or struggled to see how the political process could bring meaningful change to their lives.

This isn’t frustration; it’s apathy. When promises go unfulfilled and change seems unattainable, people shift their focus to areas where they feel they have control — their families, communities, and financial stability. For these individuals, participating in a political system that appears unresponsive can feel useless. Repeated refrains like “This is the most important election of our lifetime” have lost their potency; without visible progress, such messages become meaningless.

Responsibility for this disconnection doesn’t lie solely with voters or institutions. Campaigns, strategists, and political leaders share in the accountability. Too often, the emphasis has been on short-term gains rather than fostering long-term trust. While carefully crafted advertisements and turnout strategies may temporarily boost numbers, they cannot substitute for genuine engagement with voters’ everyday realities. Meeting people where they are — both literally and figuratively — requires more than polished rhetoric.

People need to see that their votes result in real, measurable improvements. This means shifting the focus from optics to outcomes, from what looks good on paper to what works in practice.

As Mayor Cherelle Parker emphasized in her post-election address, restoring trust requires a government that people can “see, touch, and feel.” This directly correlates to the mayor’s “laser focus” on quality of life issues that matter the most to Philadelphians — improving public safety, ensuring access to quality education, and supporting families in navigating economic challenges.

The message from voters is clear: Show us that democracy works. They aren’t seeking abstract ideas; they want practical, tangible solutions to their concerns. When institutions fall short, trust diminishes, and disengagement takes root. The system’s inability to meet expectations feeds this cycle, and it’s up to leaders to listen and respond meaningfully.

Increase voter turnout by increasing outcomes

Achieving this demands a reimagining of how civic engagement is approached. Slogans like “Vote like your life depends on it” and lofty promises of change without follow-through no longer resonate. People need to see that their votes result in real, measurable improvements. This means shifting the focus from optics to outcomes, from what looks good on paper to what works in practice.

Civic engagement must extend far beyond Election Day, becoming a daily commitment to making government visible and responsive. When voters witness these improvements in their lives, they are more likely to re-engage with the democratic process.

While analysts dissect the results of the 2024 election, communities face pressing questions: How will we stay safe? How will our children thrive? How will we manage the challenges of the next month? Addressing these concerns requires leaders to demonstrate that civic engagement delivers tangible benefits. When voters see clear returns on their participation, confidence in the system can be rebuilt.

The 2024 election can serve as a wake-up call — voter turnout cannot be taken for granted. A thriving democracy depends on action over rhetoric, results over promises, and authentic connections with voters on their terms. The path forward requires a collective commitment to making the system work — for everyone — and creating a democracy that not only listens to its people but truly delivers for them.

Mustafa Rashed is president and CEO of Bellevue Strategies, a government strategy and political consulting firm.

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