In class, we discussed that there was a difference in the way voters influence policy between local and national governments. I think this can be explained economically by both the capture theory and a difference in rational ignorance. Since industries have more interest in national policies that affect them more broadly, they would "take" the influence from individual voters, and leave the voters to be more keen to helping with local policies. On the other hand, it is more rational for voters to know more about local issues than national issues that might not affect them as much.
I think construal level theory would be more effective at explaining the difference in interest between local and national policies. Construal level is the way that the brain changes the focus on incoming information or filters out or in certain information. A construal level in this case would be linked to the psychological distance of the policies, meaning the distance one feels from them. A high construal level, or the national government, which seems like a large distance from voters, means there is a focus on desirability and exciting opportunities. In other words, voters are more likely to think broadly about policy options in terms of their general appeal, and thus know less about voting on them. A low construal level, or the local government, which seems like a small distance from voters, means there is a focus on feasibility and deliverable opportunities. In other words, voters are more likely to be more knowledgeable about the policies at hand.
