Hoy es el Día Nacional de la Cívica. Tiene sus raíces en la historia y es un recordatorio de la importancia de aprender los derechos y responsabilidades de la ciudadanía. En esta fecha de 1787, se publicaron los primeros documentos federalistas y se utilizaron como base filosófica para la Constitución de los Estados Unidos. Charlie Hyde, presidente del Sitio Presidencial Benjamin Harrison en Indianápolis, dice que la educación cívica tiene un propósito más específico que un curso de historia o estudios sociales.

"Se trata de fomentar la participación pública en nuestro sistema estadounidense de autogobierno. Aprender sobre educación cívica fomenta el pensamiento crítico, la participación comunitaria y el discurso cívico civil. Si comprende cómo funciona su gobierno, entonces podrá asumir un papel de liderazgo," analizó también Hyde.

El Proyecto de Ley 1384 de la Cámara de Representantes, aprobado en la Asamblea General de Indiana de 2021, exige que a partir de este año escolar actual, los estudiantes de Indiana tomen una clase de educación cívica en sexto, séptimo u octavo grado.

El Índice de Salud Cívica en Indiana de 2021 elaborado por la Indiana Bar Foundation encontró que las tasas de registro de votantes en el estado son más altas entre las personas con títulos universitarios (casi el 85%), seguidas por aquellas con algo de educación universitaria, con un 77%. El registro de votantes entre los graduados de la escuela secundaria fue del 63%. El índice también encontró que en las elecciones de 2020, Indiana ocupó el puesto 46 entre los estados por su baja participación electoral. Hyde señala que hay muchas vías para lograr el compromiso cívico.

"Usted podría dirigir la PTA de su escuela local. Puede que en algún momento decida postularse para un cargo, o tal vez simplemente quiera ayudar a cambiar una ley o poner algo en acción. Es importante saber cómo hacer que esas cosas sucedan," explicó además Hyde.

El Índice de Salud Cívica recomendó establecer un programa escolar, inspirado en el programa de certificación STEM del estado, para mejorar la educación cívica para 2023 y aumentar los requisitos de cursos de cívica en todos los niveles de grado para 2026.



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Cities and towns across Massachusetts hope to increase young voter turnout in local elections by lowering the voting age to sixteen or seventeen. Somerville, Northampton, Southborough and Concord are just a few of the municipalities which have attempted but failed to secure state approval.

State Sen. Becky Rausch, D-Norfolk, said allowing young people to vote on local matters helps ensure they'll keep voting throughout their lives.

"That voting power fosters a real sense of civic duty and does in fact encourage higher turnout rates among young adults," she said.

Opponents contend teenagers lack the ability or motivation to fully understand what's at stake in an election. But Rausch points to Takoma Park, Maryland, where the turnout rate for sixteen and seventeen-year olds exceeded that of any other age group for the first election in which they were allowed to vote.

Rausch is sponsoring legislation to allow Massachusetts' municipalities to lower their voting age for local elections without approval from the state legislature but it's been tabled for the session. She says it's just one of a few issues where home rule gets in the way of local autonomy. Still, she said young people are already engaged in local issues, often related to their schools, and many students hold jobs and pay local taxes.

"And they are active members of every community I represent, and they are both contributors to and beneficiaries of community and local government services," she continued.

Rausch added the effort is part of civics education, which was solidified as a centerpiece of K-12 education in Massachusetts in 2018, and which received a significant funding boost from the state legislature this past year.


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Minnesota is closing in on the 35th anniversary of a volunteer program for clearing litter and debris along highways and rest areas.

With spring in full bloom, officials call on residents to maintain this service.

In the early 1990s, Minnesota launched its Adopt a Highway initiative.

Last year, roughly two thousand church groups, community organizations, business teams, and individuals filled up more than 42,000 bags of trash.

The Department of Transportation's Spokesperson Anne Meyer said about 900 sections of state roadways are available for adoption this year.

By pitching in, she said volunteers allow MN DOT staff to focus on other needs.

"Filling potholes, fixing fences," said Meyer, "really keeping roadways safe."

She added that the program also saves taxpayers money.

People considering volunteering can adopt a roadway section or rest area for two years and clean it at least twice a year. There's also an option for a one-time clearing of garbage near a state highway.

The agency provides training, resources, and safety vests. The state observes the program's 35th anniversary next year.

Meyer encouraged drivers to use caution if they approach an area with volunteer crews at work.

"A lot of our volunteers do go out and pick up trash on the weekends," said Meyer. "So, that's a time to really be alert out there for those volunteers - to slow down, to give them space, to do their job safely. "

Meyer said areas outside Minneapolis and St. Paul tend to have more opportunities for highway adoption.

More details are on the department's website, including a list of local coordinators around the state.




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Concerns about potential voter intimidation have spurred several states to consider banning firearms at polling sites but so far, New Hampshire is not among them.

Only a dozen states and Washington, D.C., prohibit both open and concealed-carry weapons at voting locations.

Emma Brown, executive director of the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, said most of the bans were enacted after the 2020 election, when unfounded claims of widespread voter fraud took hold.

"The risk of gun violence at the polls is heightened," Brown contended. "Which means that legislation at the state level is even more critical than it ever has been."

Brown argued America's elections are free and fair, and prohibiting guns at polling sites and government locations is constitutional. Opponents countered the bans unfairly disarm law-abiding gun owners.

Recent surveys reveal election workers have faced increased threats and harassment since the 2020 election with one in three reporting some form of abuse. And nearly half of election workers said they are concerned for their colleagues' safety.

Brown pointed out armed intimidation tactics disproportionately target people of color and add to the growing exodus of election workers.

"This is a threat that we can't ignore," Brown stressed. "These attacks have also served as a deterrent to Black and brown election workers, who've historically been a really key part of ensuring that our democracy endures on Election Day."

As state legislatures consider banning guns at voting sites, legislation in Congress known as the "Vote Without Fear Act" would place a nationwide ban on weapons within 100 feet of a federal election facility, with exceptions for on-duty law enforcement and security personnel. It has been languishing in a House committee for a year.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.