Photo of several buttons that encourage people to vote

Civic Engagement

At the Ash Center, we’re generating new ideas and insights for the future of civic engagement — everything from voter participation to democratic deliberation.

Buttons from the Political Buttons Collection at Harvard Kennedy School

Civic engagement — from voting to volunteering — is the engine that drives democracy forward. Robust citizen participation at every level of government provides the feedback that democratic systems require to be responsive and productive.

But what happens when people are systemically shut out of deliberation? Can we boost declining voting rates? How will we create a culture of civic engagement in an increasingly digital, AI-influenced world?

These are the questions the Ash Center community works to answer.

Our programs generate novel ideas about making civic engagement more robust, enabling everyone to participate. Ash scholars are researching how citizens can better provide input into government programs, processes, and policies. Together, we are developing a blueprint for what the future of civic engagement can look like.

We encourage you to explore the below events, research, and commentary to learn more about our work.

The Latest News, Research, and Resources


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Election 2024: Appreciating The Front-Line Workers of Democracy

Commentary

Election 2024: Appreciating The Front-Line Workers of Democracy

As the dust settles from the U.S. presidential election, the American public can celebrate that the election process was largely nonviolent and smooth. However, it is important that the public not be lulled into thinking this signals the end of election administrators’ problems.

Engaging Fans, Empowering Voters: How Professional Sports are Promoting Civic Engagement
Photo of a sports stadium from the perspective of someone in the stands

Video

Engaging Fans, Empowering Voters: How Professional Sports are Promoting Civic Engagement

The Ash Center hosted a discussion with representatives of the NBA, NFL Votes, the co-founder of Vet the Vote, and the Deputy Secretary of State of Georgia to discuss how these partnerships are succeeding at supporting voter participation and fair and secure elections.

Can Higher Education Help Renovate American Democracy?
Photo of several people wearing graduation caps

Video

Can Higher Education Help Renovate American Democracy?

The Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation hosted a webinar with several panelists to discuss a host of new campus initiatives that offer promising pathways for higher education to reassert its vital role in strengthening democracy by engaging students’ civic learning and supporting their development as civic actors.

Beyond the Ballot: Ensuring a Transparent, Secure, and Fair Election in 2024
Someone holds up a sign that says

Feature

Beyond the Ballot: Ensuring a Transparent, Secure, and Fair Election in 2024

Election integrity is under the microscope as we near the 2024 Presidential Election, and many Americans are apprehensive about election security, the timeframe of learning the results, and how peaceful the transfer of power will be.

Episode 8: How to Undercut Political Violence
Butler Pennsylvania rally

Podcast

Episode 8: How to Undercut Political Violence

Host Jay Ulfelder and Hardy Merriman discuss Merriman’s latest guide, titled Harnessing our Power to End Political Violence, which empowers people from all over the country to band together and support democracy by rejecting acts of political violence.

In Denver, a Model for Jail-Based Voting
photo of a hallway of a jail from behind bars

Feature

In Denver, a Model for Jail-Based Voting

Across the United States, hundreds of thousands of people in jail retain their right to vote while being held in pretrial detention, having not been convicted of a crime.

Celebrities Strengthening Our Culture of Democracy

Policy Brief

Celebrities Strengthening Our Culture of Democracy

This study provides an analysis and evaluation of how celebrity engagement impacts civic participation in the United States. When and why do celebrities decide to use their influence to encourage civic engagement? What difference do their actions make?