Your civic power

Solutions Podcast: Climate, Voting, Policing, and Dialogue

This is a podcast called 'How Do We Fix It?' that explores solutions to big problems facing America. Recent episodes covered several important topics. One episode discusses nuclear power as a way to fight climate change, featuring an environmental activist who changed her mind about nuclear energy being safe and helpful. Another episode talks about ranked choice voting, which lets people vote for multiple candidates in order of preference instead of just picking one. This could reduce negative campaigning and political division. The podcast also covered efforts to bring Americans together for better conversations after the January 6th Capitol riot, including a National Day of Dialogue. One episode examined police reform in Minneapolis, where a civil rights lawyer explained why many Black voters want better policing rather than completely replacing police departments. The podcast focuses on practical solutions and bringing people together rather than just complaining about problems. Each episode features experts who have studied these issues and can explain both the problems and possible fixes.

Democracy Research: Poll Reports on American Political Views

The McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State University publishes research reports based on public opinion polls about American politics and democracy. Their poll reports cover many important topics like voting rights, trust in government, political divisions, and how Americans feel about democratic institutions. Recent reports examine issues such as Congressional elections, presidential powers, Americans' faith in institutions, and political polarization. The reports also cover social issues like teaching about race in schools, LGBTQ policies, religious exemptions, and gun control. The institute has been tracking American opinions since 2015, showing how public attitudes change over time. These polls help people understand what Americans think about democracy, elections, and political issues. The research is useful for students, journalists, politicians, and anyone who wants to understand American public opinion. Each report includes detailed findings from scientific polls of American voters. The institute aims to strengthen democracy by providing reliable data about what citizens believe and want from their government.

2025 Ballot Measures Across America: What Voters Decided

Ballotpedia tracked all the ballot measures voters decided on in 2025. Thirty statewide ballot measures appeared in nine states, including California, Texas, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Voters approved 83% of these measures and rejected 17%. The measures covered many topics like voting rules, congressional redistricting, gun safety, bail requirements, and judicial conduct. Texas had several constitutional amendments about bail, judicial conduct, and banning non-citizen voting. Maine voters decided on voter ID requirements and gun safety measures. California had the most expensive measure about congressional districts. Most elections happened on November 4, but some states voted earlier in the year. Only two citizen-initiated measures appeared on ballots, the fewest since 2019. This report helps people understand what policy changes voters approved across America and provides detailed information about each measure, including campaign spending and election results.

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.

New Hampshire Studies How Well Communities Work Together

The University of New Hampshire studied how well people in their state connect with each other and participate in their communities. This is called 'civic health.' The researchers looked at six main areas: how people connect with others, trust in government and neighbors, civic awareness and participation, feeling like they belong and matter, voting in elections, and volunteering or giving money to help others. They found some concerning trends from 2019 to 2024. People feel like they matter less to their communities and are connecting less with others. Trust in both local and national government stays low. However, over half of residents do engage across different races and cultures, which is positive. The study also found that people in cities vote less than those in suburbs or rural areas in national elections. This report helps communities understand their civic health so they can work to make it stronger. The research covers the time period that included COVID-19, social justice movements, the 2020 election, and January 6th attack on the Capitol.

Civic Resources Guide: Tools for Democracy and Voting

Lebanese Party Uses Tech to Help Citizens During Crisis

FAQ: Letters About Voter ID Number Validation

How to Register to Vote in North Carolina: Common Questions

How to Run Voter Registration Drives: Legal Rules and Best Practices

Understanding Democracy and Fighting Against Authoritarianism