Date of Conferral
2-14-2024
Date of Award
February 2024
Degree
Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A)
School
Public Policy and Administration
Advisor
Dr. Bruce Lindsay
Abstract
Public corruption has been a persistent issue in Cook County, Illinois, for over four decades. Research on major global democracies has demonstrated a connection between public corruption and low voter turnout. This qualitative study explored whether the same connection existed in the Cook County 2019 Municipal Election. This study used purposeful sampling to select and interview three registered voters in Cook County. This study also applied Rational Choice Theory to determine whether voters voted according to their self-interest. Data were collected through semistructured telephone interviews. A thematic analysis was used to reveal five broad themes: public corruption is self-serving, voting should be more convenient, a lack of information on the candidates, public corruption erodes trust in government, and public corruption is prevalent. The findings unveiled that public corruption erodes trust in municipal governance, reducing motivation to vote. Study participants suggested making voting more convenient and making comprehensive information about each candidate available to the public. The county might benefit from an anticorruption agency, a bipartisan voter initiative, improved voter registration and maintenance, and enhanced voting accessibility. The study offers recommendations to combat corruption and boost voter engagement. The study’s findings contribute to positive social change by raising awareness about the detrimental consequences of corruption on voting decisions.
Recommended Citation
Johnson, Dawn Merdelin, "Voters’ Perception of Public Corruption and Low Voter Turnout: A Qualitative Case Study of Cook County" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 15531.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/15531
