The recent UMBC poll, highlighted in a Baltimore Sun opinion piece, is being interpreted as evidence that Marylanders lack basic knowledge about their state government. Only a minority of respondents could identify the length of the legislative session, and even fewer understood the partisan composition of the General Assembly. It is tempting to conclude that the public is uninformed or disengaged, but this overlooks a deeper issue.

The poll’s focus is on recalling facts, when what truly matters is the ability to take part. There’s a big difference between simply knowing facts about government and understanding how to be involved.

Knowing the length of Maryland’s legislative session doesn’t help someone shape legislation. Understanding which political party holds a majority doesn’t show someone how to reach out to their representative or testify before choices are made. These facts indicate awareness, not engagement. A more meaningful assessment would ask: Who represents you? How can you reach them? Do you know how to share your views before decisions are finalized? The answers might be less encouraging, but far more informative.

Responsibility for this gap is unevenly distributed. The education system carries much of the weight. Civics classes typically emphasize the structure of government, not its practical use. Students graduate with a broad sense of institutions, but little guidance on how to interact with them.

On top of this, our information landscape tends to value attention over true understanding. Social media platforms reward speed, controversy, and national issues, while often hiding the local processes where the most significant decisions happen. Someone might keep up with political news and still have no idea how to make a difference at the state level.

Elected representatives also play a role in this challenge. While communication from their offices is frequent, it rarely makes participation easier. Information is broadcast to the public, but finding a way to respond or take part is much less obvious. The system claims to be open, but in reality, it can be confusing and hard to access.

There is another piece that cannot be ignored: individual responsibility. A functioning democracy has always depended on a baseline expectation that citizens will try to understand and engage with the system that governs them. No institution can fully compensate for a lack of personal initiative. Tools such as websites, public records, contact information, and even livestreamed hearings are more accessible than ever. Yet access alone does not guarantee use. 

Rebuilding a culture of participation requires not only better systems but also a renewed expectation that individuals take ownership of their roles in it. Most people say they learn about government from local TV and social media, not directly from elected officials. That’s where outreach and engagement efforts should be focused.

Local TV is still widely trusted, but it seldom tells viewers what they can actually do. News explains events, but often stops short of actionable advice. This is a missed opportunity. Imagine if civic updates were as clear and direct as weather or safety alerts—explaining what’s happening, why it matters, and exactly how to respond, who to contact, and important deadlines.

Social media needs a different strategy, but the same clarity. Messages should be concise, direct, and connected to specific actions. For example, a short video on how to contact a representative or submit testimony can be much more helpful than a broad explanation of procedures. The aim is to make action possible, not just raise awareness. 

It’s just as important to make participation visible. Many people see government as distant, partly because they rarely witness real engagement. Highlighting everyday people testifying, reaching out to representatives, or joining hearings can help make the process feel normal and approachable.

This is exactly what my project aims to change. The core idea is simple: representation isn’t just about voting, but an ongoing process built on attention, transparency, and accessibility. For people to get involved, they must know where decisions are happening and how to make their voices heard.

The Representation Project encourages non-partisanship and removes donor influence, so its priority is clarity over persuasion. It values openness in decision-making and puts listening at the center of its mission. Above all, it sees civic participation as something that can be simplified, making it easier for people to understand issues and take action.

The bigger lesson isn’t that people have failed, but that our systems haven’t been built for easy participation. If getting involved requires special knowledge, most people will stay on the sidelines. But if the process is clear, visible, and actionable, participation will grow.

The UMBC poll is showing what people don’t know. A better reading is that it reveals what people haven’t had a chance to learn in a useful way. Democracy isn’t about memorizing facts, but about being able to take part when it counts. That’s what we should be measuring and working toward.