Indiana Study Shows How Citizens Participate in Democracy

The National Conference on Citizenship released a detailed report about how people in Indiana participate in civic life - things like voting, volunteering, and helping their communities. The 2025 Indiana Civic Health Index shows mixed results. Good news includes more people registering to vote and higher voter turnout between 2022 and 2024, plus increases in volunteering and charitable giving. However, the report found problems too - fewer people are talking about politics with others, less social connection overall, and young people and low-income residents still vote at lower rates than the national average. The study tracks trends over many years using data from AmeriCorps and the U.S. Census. It emphasizes that civic education, especially for young people, is crucial for keeping democracy strong. The report was created with help from Indiana universities, the Indiana Bar Foundation, and other organizations. While this study focuses on Indiana, it offers lessons about measuring and improving civic participation that could help other states strengthen their democratic systems.

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