McNair Summer Research Program
Publication Date
Summer 8-8-2025
Disciplines
Political Science
Description, Abstract, or Artist's Statement
The goal of this research paper is to identify the most prevalent arguments for and against partisan school board elections while also examining what differences, if any, exist between Republicans and Democrats with respect to the way they talk about the issue. The interdisciplinary fields of political science and linguistics provide helpful context to the effectiveness of political communication in smaller scale, yet salient elections in communities where impacts are most directly felt. My interest lies in how the nationalization of politics influences local government and elections, and how language and the media act as conduits for that relationship. It is important to undertake this research due to the implications that could arise if there is a significant difference in Republican or Democratic support for or against the addition of adding party labels to school board ballots, especially if the shared goal is the well-being of students. To identify both the arguments for such legislative changes and any potential partisan differences, I code descriptive data found in local newspaper articles from Arizona, Florida, Indiana, and Kentucky, and compare the specific language used to describe the importance of these elections and the justification for the support or denial of partisan elections. These four states represent various outcomes regarding the proposal of shifting to partisan elections for school board officials. The goal of this research is to provide nuance when it comes to the linguistic tactics employed that effectively shape the political sphere and collective sentiment about local issues that are increasingly becoming nationalized.