Digital Democracy: Councilmember Hall Reaches Out on Reddit to Hear Your Budget Priorities

Have thoughts on how the city should be spending its money but don’t want to sit through long government or neighborhood meetings to voice your opinion? Do you prefer to write your opinions down, but find emails too impersonal?

Well, Councilmember Dan Hall has you covered. Hall is reaching out to anyone interested in voicing their thoughts on Reddit with a post simply titled, “2025-2027 Council Budget Priorities.”

After outlining the priorities the Council voted on at last week’s meeting, see Next coverage from Juan Matute here, Hall simply asks Redditers, “What do YOU think? Let me know in the comments!” Throughout the comments made, Hall interjects with questions or explanations in response to what other posters say. Hall’s comments are not combative or defensive in any way. Sometimes, they’re longer and more detailed than this story.

While Hall is not the first City Councilmember in history to reach out online, it’s far more common to see elected officials reach out in moderated Facebook forums. These forums tend to not be as inclusive as Reddit which has no requirement to join the Santa Monica Subreddit. You can join the discussion here.

About The Author

Damien Newton

Damien is the executive director of the Southern California Streets Initiative which publishes Santa Monica Next, Streetsblog Los Angeles, Streetsblog San Francisco, Streetsblog California and Longbeachize.

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