Low voter turnout remains “significant challenge” for Indiana, though state sees steady progress in enhancing civics education
While voter registration in Indiana has risen slightly in recent years, the Hoosier State continues to suffer from low voter turnout. According to the newly published 2023 Indiana Civics Health Index, Indiana ranked 50th in the nation in voter turnout, a fall from 43rd in 2018. During the 2022 midterm election, only 41.9 percent of Indiana voters went to the polls, a drop of 7.4 percentage points from 2018 and well below the national average of 52.2 percent.
The INCHI has been published biennially since 2011 by the Indiana Bar Foundation and its partners, which include the Indiana University Center on Representative Government and IU Northwest. This year’s report examines Indiana’s successes and shortcomings during the past few years, while exploring opportunities to improve the state’s overall civic health. It also highlights Indiana’s steady progress toward advancing civics education in its schools and ensuring a more active, better informed Hoosier electorate.
As the report notes, Indiana has emerged as a national leader in civics education thanks to partners like the Center on Representative Government, which continues its robust outreach to teachers and students through a variety of professional development and online interactive resources. The nonpartisan educational center, founded by former U.S. Rep. Lee Hamilton of Indiana and situated in the IU Office of the Vice President for University Relations, recently received a three-year, $5.7 million cooperative agreement award from the Department of Defense to enhance civics education and expand student interest in public service careers.
In contrast to Indiana’s recent achievements across various facets of civics education and engagement, the 2023 INCHI indicates that the state’s low voter turnout remains a “significant challenge” to the state realizing its potential for civic leadership, building stronger Hoosier communities, fostering constructive dialogue and ensuring healthier Hoosiers.
Read the 2023 and past reports
Learn more about how the IU Center on Representative Government aims to enhance civics education
Statehouse Update
The fifth week of the legislative session was a planned short week as the House and Senate reached third reading deadlines on Monday and Tuesday, respectively. Bills must pass on third reading out of their originating chamber to still be eligible to become law in the second half of session. Of the 297 bills filed in the Senate, only 110, or 37%, survived. The House passed roughly the same number of bills—111, or 25%, of the 442 filed. The 221 remaining bills will be assigned to the opposite chamber’s committees and will be eligible to be heard in committee beginning next week.
Read the Statehouse Update
Economic Engagement Update
Digging into Indiana’s job reports over the last five years
Analysts at the Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business are reading between the lines of the state’s monthly jobs reports to attempt to predict whether the Hoosier economy will achieve a “soft landing”—a “Goldilocks” economy that is neither too hot (experiencing high inflation) nor too cold (in a recession). They’re also examining how Indiana stacks up against the U.S. in terms of employment growth by sector.
Established in 1925, the IBRC seeks to empower communities and their leadership to build equitable and thriving regions through strategic insights, data and practical research. As such, the center maintains databases on many topics such as income, employment, taxes, and other economic indicators for the nation, the state and local areas.
Read the full story
IU in the News
Commitment to Holocaust education earns state recognition for IU Bloomington institute
In recognition of its commitment to Holocaust remembrance and education about antisemitism, Indiana University’s Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism has been awarded the state of Indiana’s Never Again Ambassador Award on behalf of the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council and the Indiana Civil Rights Commission.
Read the full story
Dual admission program eliminates barriers for transfer students from Ivy Tech to IU Indianapolis
A new dual admission program will increase access to an Indiana University Indianapolis education by providing a more seamless transition for students planning to pursue their bachelor’s degree after earning their associate degree at Ivy Tech Community College in Indianapolis. The program is set to welcome its first participants in fall 2024.
Read the full story
Kelley School online MBA No. 1, nursing master’s No. 2 in U.S. News national online program rankings
Indiana University has once again been recognized as a national leader in online education with numerous top 10 programs in the 2024 U.S. News and World Report Best Online Program rankings.
Read the full story
Janelle Monáe, William Shatner to perform at Hoosier Cosmic Celebration at IU Bloomington
Skywatchers making their way to the solar eclipse’s path of totality April 8 in Bloomington will find an abundance of entertainment and celebrations to enjoy, including an inspirational, star-studded Hoosier Cosmic Celebration at Memorial Stadium from 1 to 5 p.m.
Read the full story
IU Northwest Chancellor Ken Iwama joins One Region Board of Directors
Indiana University Northwest Chancellor Ken Iwama has been named to the Board of Directors for One Region, a local civic leadership coalition that strives to grow the population, attract and retain talent, and increase household income in Northwest Indiana.
Read the full story
