This research report from the University of New Hampshire looks at how people get involved in their communities and government. It studies things like voting, attending town meetings, contacting elected officials, and staying informed about news. The report found that most people in New Hampshire learned about government in school and feel like they matter in their community.
However, trust in government has gone down a lot over the past 20 years, especially trust in national government. The biggest barriers that stop people from getting involved are busy work schedules, lack of childcare, transportation problems, and not knowing how to get started. The report shows that while New Hampshire residents vote at higher rates than the national average, many still face challenges in participating fully in their communities.
This research helps us understand what helps and hurts civic engagement so communities can work to remove barriers and encourage more people to participate in democracy.