AZ Central: What Is Civic Health, and Why Is Arizona's Not as Strong as It Could Be?

The election is over, but the work to build a bright future for Arizona isn’t.

Elections matter, but they are only part of the story. There is much work to do beyond the ballot box to secure the future we all want.

Polarization and division remain major obstacles to progress. Yet amid these challenges, one truth stands out that Center for the Future of Arizona has learned through many years of research:

Arizonans agree much more than they disagree on the most important issues, such as improving education, protecting water resources and creating opportunities for the next generation.

These shared public values provide a powerful foundation for coming together for positive change.

Arizona voters are eager to solve problems

At the heart of the work to advance a stronger and brighter future for Arizona is our civic health — how we engage with one another, participate in public life, and build trust in our leaders and institutions.

When our civic health is strong, so is our ability to tackle big challenges and build opportunities. When it’s weak, division and distrust can grow, and progress slows.

Much like personal health, Arizona’s civic health needs constant care and attention. When was the last time you talked to your neighbors? Do you feel your voice is heard by the people who represent you? These everyday experiences are part of what makes up our civic health.

Over the years, CFA’s research has shown that Arizonans want to come together to solve problems:

• 75% are willing to speak with people with different views to solve problems.
• 62% want leaders who work across the aisle to solve problems.
• The majority support accessible and convenient participation in elections like early voting and mail-in ballots and don’t favor speed in reporting election results over the convenience of voting.

Many feel leaders are focused on the wrong things

Challenges remain.

• 91% are concerned about polarization.
• Many Arizonans are concerned about the strength of leadership and don’t believe candidates for office in recent elections address what matters most.
• Indicators of community connectedness — like volunteering, participating in groups and even talking with neighbors — are declining. Arizona ranks near last in the nation for neighbors spending time together.

Arizonans know what they want for the state’s future, but getting there will take collaboration, shared effort and stronger civic systems.

Too many believe their participation doesn't matter

Civic health isn’t just about showing up; it’s about systems that work and leaders who listen. Too often, Arizonans feel like their participation doesn’t make a difference.

• 24% of nonvoters in Arizona — a percentage well above the national average — don’t vote because they feel their vote doesn’t matter, a number that’s been rising since 2018.
• Our primary system rewards extremes, leaving the majority voices unheard.
• While a large majority believe Arizona elections are secure, trust declined for some in recent years.

Fortunately, trust is back up across the board, according to a recent survey from Noble Predictive Insights, but does trust only come when you are on the winning side? There is still work to be done to build trust.

CFA’s research shows that Arizonans of all political affiliations want many of the same outcomes. By building our civic muscles and community connectedness, we can figure out how to get there.

The outcomes Arizonans want require us to work together — across party lines, across communities, across life experiences.

How we're strengthening Arizona's civic health

The good news is that there’s desire, energy and action among our communities, and progress is already underway to strengthen civic health in Arizona.

The recent report, “Habits of the Heart and Mind: How to Fortify Civic Culture,” by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences’ Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship highlights Arizona as a model for how local efforts can drive meaningful change.

The report underscores the importance of creating shared narratives, using data to measure progress and enacting reforms to ensure all voices are heard and represented.

One featured example is the Arizona Civic Life Partnership, a collaboration between Center for the Future of Arizona and the Flinn Foundation. By working together on shared strategies toward shared goals, the partnership helps strengthen civic systems, foster greater engagement and build trust across the state.

This kind of collaboration demonstrates how we can create a healthier civic life and ensure that more Arizonans have a voice in shaping the future.

Let's make every voice heard in Arizona

What’s next?

Arizona has the opportunity to lead by continuing to act on these recommendations. Small, collective steps can add up to big progress, creating a culture where everyone feels a stake in our shared future.

Arizona’s future is ours to build.

When we come together to strengthen civic health, we create a state where every voice is heard, every leader is held accountable and every community can thrive.

Together, we can create a state that reflects our shared public values. With a new year ahead, let’s get to work.

Sybil Francis is Chair, President & CEO of Center for the Future of Arizona, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that brings Arizonans together to create a stronger and brighter future for our state.