Indiana businesses are ready to end the shame around our state’s lack of civics knowledge
The numbers are sad, but not surprising.
The 2021 Indiana Civic Health Index ranks our state among the bottom nationally in both voter registration and voter turnout. Nationwide, less than a third of Americans can name all three branches of the federal government.
Rather than shame our fellow Hoosiers who don’t know the difference between a state senator and a US senator, let’s take a moment to step into their shoes.
How many of us at age 17 or 18 — when we were taking our one semester of high school government — were truly interested in that subject matter? And how often was the class taught by a dynamic, engaging instructor and not, say, the football coach moonlighting as a social studies teacher?
Let’s be honest: There are many reasons an adult of voting age might not be civically engaged, and most of them are not their own fault. As politics has invaded more of our lives, these people are starting to recognize that who represents them really matters, and they want to understand how the government works — or at least how it is supposed to.
Before the 2022 midterm election, an Indiana-based Fortune 500 company offered its employees a lunch-and-learn program on the basics of democracy and government led by Business for America CEO Sarah Bonk. Not a single worker was required to attend, but 300 showed up.
That’s just one example of the demand for knowledge we’re seeing across the state, and it’s why I was so excited to join Business for America — a national nonprofit organization committed to making the economic case for improved civic engagement — as their Indiana state director earlier this year. In that role, I’m proud to help them launch the Indiana Business Alliance for Civics.
The Indiana Business Alliance for Civics (IBAC) exists to help every Hoosier business — from large corporations to small businesses and solo entrepreneurs — increase civic engagement and improve civic education among their workforce and within the communities they serve.
The IBAC is nonpartisan, non-political and free for any Indiana business, chamber of commerce, or trade association to join, regardless of size. Its members receive assistance and support in three key areas:
Voter registration for their employees
Voter education in the workplace
Supporting civic education in their local schools
In partnership with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, the IBAC officially launched on Sept. 18 at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site’s Citizenship Plaza. This was the day after Constitution Day, a federally recognized holiday commemorating the formal signing of the US Constitution in 1787.
Eli Lilly and Co., Elanco, Salesforce, Powers & Sons Construction, and Hotel Tango Distillery are among those that have already signed on as IBAC charter members. Over the coming months, we hope to welcome many more, with a particular focus on small to midsize businesses and entrepreneurs.
Our plan is to harness the same thirst for innovation that has helped spur Indiana’s economic growth and develop targeted solutions to our state’s civic engagement problem. We’re not just trying to move the needle on voter turnout statistics; we’re building a more informed, active and empowered citizenry that can better advocate for its needs and aspirations.
The beauty of representative democracy is that it’s a system that belongs to us all, regardless of our backgrounds, jobs or political affiliations. But for it to truly work, we must all participate. That begins with empowering individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to be engaged citizens. The business community is ready to take up the charge and embrace the opportunity to educate and engage our fellow Hoosiers, along with helping foster a new chapter in Indiana's civic life.
The need is clear, but so is the opportunity. Let’s seize it, before it’s too late.Nathan Gotsch is the Indiana state director for Business for America. Learn more about the Indiana Business Alliance for Civics at indianabusinessalliance.org.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Business Alliance for Civics looks to increase voting
