Wisconsin
Citizenship & Democracy
The United States is a representative democracy. We choose our leaders and hold them accountable through elections. Those leaders are responsible for upholding the Constitution, which includes respecting civil liberties, separation of powers between branches of government, and the rule of law. Our elected officials are also obligated to maintain free and fair elections and the peaceful transition of power, and to lead with civility, truth, and transparency. But the responsibility of democratic government cannot be limited to elected leaders alone. Our citizens also have important responsibilities, including being informed, holding elected officials accountable through voting, tolerating those who are different and have divergent views from our own, and engaging more broadly in civic affairs. The rights of citizens go hand in hand with these responsibilities.
Summary of Results.
Only one measure of citizenship and democracy is included: voter participation. However, we look at voter participation both presidential elections and congressional elections. Wisconsin’s progress in this area has been improving.
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Voter ParticipationSpecific Measure
Percentage of the voting-age citizen population who voted in presidential and congressional elections
(Source: Census Bureau).State RankState vs. US trend8Why did we include this measure?
Democracy is rooted in elections and its success depends on citizens holding their leaders accountable by voting. Voting is also a signal of how engaged citizens are in public affairs.
Wisconsin State Trend Improving
Measures in green indicate an improving state trend or that this state ranks in the top third of states in the country.
Measures in red indicate a declining state trend or that this state ranks in the bottom third of states in the country.
Measures in yellow indicate stable trends or that this state ranks in the middle third of states in the country.