It’s Time to Hit the Civics Books for Smarter Elections

Statistics suggest it’s time for a collective refresher on all things American Democracy. Who better to teach the course than the media makers already covering politics, government and election season?

It’s an election year. Most Americans know this, but many don’t know what it really means.

As usual, election coverage works, from primary campaigns to inauguration day, to give updates on candidates and their promises. Some reporters put polls into paragraphs, and others pick apart the rhetoric of top candidate speeches. This work isn’t ‘bad’ by any means of journalism (so long as it is done with journalistic integrity and ethics). It is the work that mainstream media fails to complete that raises concern in 2024.

According to a 2023 study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 70% of registered voters in the U.S. lack the foundational civic knowledge needed to pass a standard civic literacy test. In other words, nearly three fourths of voters are in need of civics lessons if they are to participate  fully in American democracy this Fall. Why is it, then, that a presidential candidate's latest campaign tactic receives more airtime than a breakdown of what the presidential role actually entails?

It’s evident that the state of election coverage cannot be adequately analyzed or influenced without a return to basics. The results did not reflect well on the state of American civics. But, the research did offer insight for journalists, content creators and civilians alike in the runup to November. Rather than focus on clicks and news breaks, content creators, election reporters and political commentators alike can benefit from considering the state of American civics. That is, a state where one-third of voters are unaware that there are three branches of government in the United States— without even having to name them.

These statistics are not meant to criticize those feeling lost; instead, they highlight the widespread civic confusion we face as a nation this election year. Despite a two-thirds majority of individuals reporting exposure to civics education in high school, less than half those former students feel confident in explaining how the U.S. government operates. How, then, do we expect voters to follow the current flood of election coverage? How does a pool of voters make informed decisions when there are gaps in fundamental knowledge throughout the ballot?

It's clear that significant portions of readers, listeners, and voters require a brush up when it comes to civic education and participation. Yet, political reporters and election commentators often overlook Civics 101, opting instead for a headfirst dive into advanced political science and campaign rhetoric analysis. Who is the media reporting for, if not the politically educated minority? Who are we communicating with, if not each other?

Journalism can be interpreted in various ways, but it fundamentally serves as a tool for public knowledge and continuous education. While economic considerations and the pursuit of breaking news and clicks are valid concerns, journalists must not lose sight of their responsibility to educate the public.

Robert S. Boynton argues in his book, The New New Journalism, that journalists often write for journalists. If this is true, election coverage is no exception. New organizations might have different goals, even different biases, but if the unifying goal is civic engagement, the larger media institution is foundationally failing. Election coverage should prioritize civic engagement above all else.

While news organizations may have different goals and biases, their overarching objective should be to foster informed citizenship. While elections are not won by journalists or their words, our current media culture seems fixated on the dynamics between the media ecosystem and its political counterparts, overlooking the broader audience they are meant to serve; and election guides hidden far from the front page are insufficient for those in need of a civic refresh.

We, as Americans, can’t change what we don’t understand. Democracies can’t believe in a power they don’t know they have. Respect cannot be found outside of context, and updates cannot be given to something that was never explained. Journalists can’t write about the threat to our political systems, or the decrease in election confidence, without acknowledging the confusion behind their woes. Who will fill the gaps in public knowledge if not for them?

Creators and citizen journalists have taken to social media for decades with accessible entertaining lessons for topics in history, science, civics and the like. They have proven that a market for knowledge exists. We are living in a time of instant information and the ability to learn whatever, whenever. Still, options can be as overwhelming as  trying to seek a civics education by oneself.

The lack of context in political reporting is not a universal issue, as some news organizations offer beginner-level content. Journalistic impact requires more than just a central narrative; it requires a commitment to mass education. Like modern documentaries, journalism should inform and engage audiences, transcending traditional news formats.

As the 2024 election approaches, our polarized nation and disillusioned voters continue to consume political news, albeit with skepticism. Media makers must move away from solely churning clickbait and breaking news cycles, prioritizing civic education and contextual reporting instead.

Legacy media has a unique opportunity to include educational context in their election reporting. This is not a call for complete overhaul across politics desks. Rather, it is a plea for the consideration of framing and context when writing about political topics, no matter the perceived complexity. Two sentences of text or five seconds of airtime can make a difference when compounded throughout an election cycle. If the messages invite curiosity and learning, the 70% of American voters may feel empowered to dive deeper and consider the larger implications of their vote. Maybe, a shift in election coverage can open the doors for voters to turn out, and citizens to register and follow suit.

The 2024 election is not solely about electing a president; it's about empowering all voters to participate fully in the democratic process. As long as the American political landscape remains fragmented, and the majority of registered voters uninformed, citizens will continue to feel disenfranchised and disengaged. Without a change of course,  news and election cycles will continue to evolve around one another, leaving the people they claim to serve spinning further from the heart of democracy:  free and fair (and informed) elections.