Medium reports on the impact of the digital divide on potential voters. Their focus in on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, but I think the factors they mention are true for anyone with limited and broadband access…

With the election less than a week away and access to reliable election information more important than ever, what happens when communities lack internet access?

When our lives, from morning to night, revolve around access to the internet, the impact of not having broadband can be severe. Despite the constant connectivity many of us take for granted, millions of Americans still experience the digital divide. We can look to the popularity and success of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a broadband subsidy program for low-income families, as a testament to this widespread issue: with over 23 million households enrolled at the time of its closing, this program underscores the need for greater access to affordable high-speed internet.

As election day quickly approaches, access to the internet is more important than ever. Yet, 17% of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) don’t have access to reliable high-speed internet at home. For communities without broadband, engaging in the voting process becomes more difficult and could deter voter participation.

Digital devices are the most common way Americans get their news, with a large majority of U.S. adults (86%) saying they “at least sometimes” get their news from a smartphone, computer, or tablet. However, for those without reliable internet, accessing up-to-date information about voter registration, polling locations, and deadlines can be challenging.

In the absence of reliable broadband connections, many AANHPIs rely on mobile phones for internet access. Those engaging with information about elections and candidates on mobile phones may be more likely to simply read headlines or quickly skim information, thus potentially missing critical context. Lateral reading, which involves opening several browser windows and looking for the same piece of information across several sources, and other media literacy practices also become difficult on a mobile device.