April 8, 2026
Bipartisan demand for local news highlights opportunity ahead of Local News Day
April 8, 2026 — A new Rutgers-Eagleton Poll in collaboration with the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium shows 64% of Republicans, 64% of independents and 66% of Democrats in New Jersey say they would like to receive more news about their local area. The poll findings are especially promising ahead of April 9, Local News Day.
This desire for more news about both New Jersey and residents' local area extends across gender, race and ethnicity, age, income, region, and education: Half or more of all demographic groups express wanting to receive more news in both cases — local and state.
"At a time when misinformation is rising and local reporting is shrinking, New Jerseyans want more local, trustworthy outlets covering the topics that matter most and impact their daily lives. Topics like new businesses opening, town council meetings, infrastructure proposals, and community-building events. We have also heard from local, state and federal representatives who rely consistently on local news outlets to get their work on the radar of their constituents."
— Lisa Sahulka, Executive Director of the New Jersey Civic Information Consortium
The bipartisan support for increasing local news capacity comes amid a partisan gap in how well New Jerseyans feel local news keeps them informed. Democrats are the most satisfied, with 63% feeling "very well" or "somewhat well" informed by their local news, in contrast with 46% of Republicans reporting the same. Fifty-two percent of independents are "very well" or "somewhat well" informed.
The New Jersey Civic Information Consortium is an independent nonprofit organization established by the State of New Jersey in 2018 to strengthen local journalism and civic information across the state. Through grants, research, training programs, back-office support, and collaboration with media organizations and community partners, the Consortium works to ensure New Jersey residents have access to reliable information that helps increase civic participation and enhance community life.
Madison McCool
Communications Manager
madi@njcivicinfo.org
Access the full press release and the complete questions and tables at the Rutgers-Eagleton Poll website.
View Full ResultsDownload a PDF copy of this press release for your records or to share with colleagues.
Download PDFThe New Jersey Civic Information Consortium works to strengthen local journalism and civic information across the state.