ASK THE EXPERTS
TRENDING: Using Social Media
to Promote Transparency and Accountability By Michelle L. Villarreal and Anahit Sargsyan, Aleshire & Wynder, LLP
The global pandemic has highlighted the benefits, and potential problems, of local governments utilizing social media in their operations. The United States Supreme Court has described social media platforms as the “modern public square” noting that constituents may “petition their elected representatives and otherwise engage with them in a direct manner.” (Packingham v. North Carolina, 582 U.S. __, 137 S. Ct. 1730 (2017).) Incorporating social media into a district’s practices promotes not just efficiency, but also transparency and accountability. 12
Special Districts provide essential services that millions of residents and businesses rely on daily, but they are also a relatively unnoticed part of local government. Lack of public awareness and the growing number of special districts can make it difficult for citizens to link specific services to the providing entities, reducing opportunities for democratic engagement. It is no secret that public participation in local government elections is comparatively low, even more so in the case of special districts. Many customers utilize special districts’ services without being particularly aware of how the districts are structured and operate. It has been suggested that because of districts’ specialized nature, many residents may prefer services by special districts once they know how services are arranged. California Special Districts • March-April 2022
