The 2021 Indiana Civic Health Index (INCHI) marks a decade of research and action to improve Indiana’s civic health. IU Northwest, a partner working in collaboration with state and national organizations, plays a crucial role in promoting our state’s civic health.
In this most recent report, the results of a decade of research indicate that much work remains. Indiana’s voting and voter registration rates are troubling. The state currently ranks in the bottom 20% on both forms of civic engagement. Our voting and voter registration ranking, over the ten years, fell during the Presidential Election years. In 2012, for example, Indiana ranked 38th in voting with a rate of 59.3%, and in 2020, our rank fell to 46th, with a 60.6% voting rate.
We can decisively conclude that a continuing and ever more pressing challenge is connecting citizens to the democratic processes of voting. One way to accomplish this goal is to embrace and support civic education. However, there are multiple avenues that we can pursue if we wish to be a model of democratic participation. A decade later, Indiana remains dedicated to achieving, succeeding, and inspiring other states in their quest to achieve a bright future and unite for the good of the whole.
Additional articles related to the 2021 INCHI:
Index released detailing civic engagement in Indiana
Civic Health Index report paints dreary forecast for Hoosiers
By Civic Health, who do want to vote? You wrote: “We can decisively conclude that a continuing and ever more pressing challenge is connecting citizens to the democratic processes of voting. One way to accomplish this goal is to embrace and support civic education. However, there are multiple avenues that we can pursue if we wish to be a model of democratic participation.”
I thought we have a Republic. What type of civic education are you embracing?
Thank you for your interest in the 2021 Indiana Civic Health Index (INCHI). Our civic health is broadly defined as the way in which we come together to address the public issues facing our communities, states, and the nation. If you would like to learn more about the national initiative to explore different measures of civic health there is a wealth of information on the National Conference on Citizenship website.
The State of Indiana Civic Education Task Force, led by Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch, published in 2020 the state’s Recommendations Report. We would encourage everyone to take a look at this informative report.
Lastly, the Task Force provided 8 recommendations for improving civic education in Indiana, including increasing civics course requirements. In 2021, state legislation was passed requiring every student in the state to complete a one-semester class in civics education in either sixth, seventh or eighth grade. The Indiana Department of Education and the State Board of Education will be developing standards for civics curriculum by July 1, 2022.
Yes, voting is very important, but as so many voters know, our Indiana gerrymandering undermines the effectiveness of our vote. Also, newspapers like the NWI Times do not print my editorials if they criticize/undermine Republican political efforts that diminish voter rights or activities which Republicans do not support. We really need some help.