Preliminary report indicates too many Missourians don’t vote
Preliminary indicators show that Missourians could do much better in voting, according to representatives from six Missouri universities and Missouri Campus Compact who have joined forces and partnered with the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) and the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) to produce the 2012 Missouri Civic Health Index.
According to data from 2010, 68.7 percent of Missourians were registered to vote, and only 45.7 percent turned out to vote, a fact that makes the Oct. 10 deadline to register to vote in the upcoming presidential election very important for Missourians, according to study authors.
The 2012 Missouri Civic Health Index is scheduled to be released in January 2013. It will focus on a variety of factors that impact the civic health of Missouri and its major metropolitan areas, such as how individuals are connected to family and friends, neighbors, and institutions, including participation in the democratic voting process.
“Generally, the health of society is framed in terms of activities in the private and public sectors,” said Dr. Mike Stout, associate professor of sociology at Missouri State University and Missouri’s team leader on the report. “We hear about the market’s workings and the government’s actions on a regular basis, and we rightly debate what the proper relationship should be between the two sectors. Unfortunately, this obscures the recognition of civil society and what goes on in our communities.
“Research suggests that there is a connection between civic health and economic resiliency. In order to more fully understand this connection, and to devise policies that strengthen Missouri’s communities and promote economic activity in the state, we need reliable indicators of civic health.”
The six partnering universities include Missouri State, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Saint Louis University, Washington University in St. Louis, Park University and University of Missouri-Kansas City. Stout will share additional preliminary findings, along with data from the 2010 Missouri Civic Health Index, at the upcoming Heartland Campus Compact Conference Oct. 11-12 in St. Louis.
For more information about the 2012 Missouri Civic Health Index, contact Stout at mstout@missouristate.edu or (417) 836-5357.
National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC) At NCoC (the National Conference on Citizenship), we believe everyone has the power to make a difference in how their community and country thrive. NCoC is a dynamic, non-partisan nonprofit working at the forefront of our nation’s civic life. We continuously explore what shapes today’s citizenry, define the evolving role of the individual in our democracy, and uncover ways to motivate greater participation. Through our events, research, and reports, NCoC expands our nation’s contemporary understanding of what it means to be a citizen. Missouri State University Missouri State University is a public, comprehensive university system with a mission in public affairs, whose purpose is to develop educated persons while guided by three overarching and enduring commitments to student learning, inclusive excellence and institutional impact. The university’s identity is distinguished by its statewide mission in public affairs, which entails a campus-wide commitment to foster competence and responsibility in ethical leadership, cultural competence and community engagement. Missouri Campus Compact Missouri Campus Compact, housed at Missouri State University, is a membership organization that works with 36 colleges and universities across the state to deepen civic engagement initiatives in higher education. Saint Louis University Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit university ranked among the top research institutions in the nation. The University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 14,000 students. Founded in 1818, it is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second oldest Jesuit university in the United States. Through teaching, research, health care and community service, Saint Louis University has provided one-of-a-kind education, leadership and service for nearly two centuries. University of Missouri-St. Louis Public Policy Research Center (PPRC) The mission of the University of Missouri-St. Louis commits its faculty and staff to meeting the knowledge needs of metropolitan St. Louis and partnering with regional communities and institutions, as well as providing excellent learning experiences and leadership opportunities for a diverse student population. PPRC contributes to this mission by conducting applied research for the civic, nonprofit, and public sectors of the St. Louis area and the State of Missouri. Park University- Hauptmann School of Public Affairs (HSPA) Founded in 1875 in Parkville, Mo., Park University is a comprehensive, fully accredited, independent institution, and a national leader in higher education. Serving a broad population, including non-traditional adult learners, has been central to Park’s educational mission. Park offers quality undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 24,100 students each year — at 40 campus centers nationwide and online, including Parkville, Downtown Kansas City and Independence, Mo. Celebrating its 30th Anniversary, HSPA, located in downtown Kansas City, serves the common good by graduating leaders who exercise authority responsibly, make ethical decisions, act with moral courage and advance human dignity worldwide through the Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA), Master of Public Affairs (MPA), Master of Healthcare Leadership (MHL), and Center for Leadership. University of Missouri-Kansas City Service Learning Program The UMKC Service-Learning Program is part of the UMKC Institute for Human Development (IHD). Located within UMKC, IHD is an applied research and training center for human services and has been in existence for over 30 years. It exemplifies the University’s goal of a campus without borders by helping people, agencies and the community reach their fullest potential. IHD and its approximately 50 faculty and staff, work with a variety of university and community constituents to build the capacity of their programs and organizations. The work of the Service-Learning Program is overseen by Co-Directors, Julie Warm and Alexis Petri. Gephardt Institute for Public Service, Washington University in St. Louis The Gephardt Institute for Public Service promotes lifelong civic engagement and sustained community impact through service initiatives at Washington University in St. Louis. The Institute provides programs and services for students, faculty, staff, and community partners in five goal areas: university-wide coordination of engagement, community-based teaching and learning, international service, co-curricular service, and civic life and public service careers. The Institute plays an integral role in helping Washington University pursue excellence in teaching, learning, research, and service.
Filed Under: College of Humanities and Public Affairs · Mike Stout · sociology
