Two key indicators of civic engagement are how frequently we discuss political issues with one another and how often we contact our elected public officials. In last year's report, Arizona's performance on these two indicators was based on citizen responses to questions about their actions in 2008–2009. This year's report, the 2011 Arizona Civic Health Index, captures citizen responses about their actions in 2010.

5. Discuss Politics with Family, Friends



What Happened? Less political discussion was reported in all states compared to 2008–2009, a Presidential election year. However, Arizona rose in the 2011 rankings because the frequency of our political discussions with family and friends was higher than the national average in a Mid–term election year. Similarly, a modest 3 percentage point increase in Nevada moved the state from 50th to 18th in the nation.

2011 Top 10: District of Columbia, South Carolina, Oregon, Maine, Maryland, Alaska, Wyoming, Vermont, Mississippi, Alabama

The Arizona We Want Goal: Increase political discussion by a minimum 2.8 percentage points (the difference between Arizona and #10 Alabama), especially among citizen groups reporting participation below the state average.


6. Contact or Visit a Public Official



What Happened? Arizona was one of 17 states reporting more citizen contact with public officials in 2010. Mississippi led the nation with an increase of 4.2 percentage points, moving them from 45th in the nation last year to 20th in 2011.

2011 Top 10: Montana, Vermont, Alaska, District of Columbia, Maine, Oregon, Wyoming, South Dakota, New Mexico, Connecticut

The Arizona We Want Goal: Increase citizen contact with elected officials overall by a minimum 3.7 percentage points (the difference between Arizona and #10 Connecticut), especially among citizen groups reporting participation below the state average.