What is Unique about Politics
in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire combines socioeconomic and geographical diversity with a tradition of limited state government and decentralized political control. The state possesses a political culture that is strongly influenced by its citizen legislature, the tradition of Town Meeting, and the impact of the New Hampshire Primary. These civic characteristics present some unique challenges for the development of civic knowledge and engagement in New Hampshire's youth population. Our youth are required to master a complex body of civic knowledge and network of political relationships, in order to be fully prepared to engage in an active civic life in this state.

What is the NH Civic Index?

To better assess whether our youth are adequately prepared to engage in the grassroots activism and political participation that underpin civic life in our state, the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College presents the New Hampshire Civic Index (PDF/938KB), an exploration of civic life comprised of separate teen (ages 13-17) and adult (ages 18 and up) statewide surveys of civic knowledge, attitudes, and behavior.

Our goal is to provide a comprehensive picture of the ways in which New Hampshire’s youth and adult populations are involved in their communities, of how well-prepared they believe they are to participate in public life, and of their knowledge of, and attitudes toward, our local and national political leaders and institutions.

Please visit our Survey Results page to learn more about each survey and to read a copy of the final Report.

Who are We?

The New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College was founded in 2001, on the premise that engaged citizens are vital for a healthy democracy. The Institute strives to educate, engage, and empower our students and the public for a lifetime of civic participation. It has no alliances, formal or informal, with any political party, organization, or agenda. The Institute develops programming and fosters scholarship and dialogue encompassing a diverse range of political topics, opinions, and issues.

We are grateful to the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Susanne Satterfield Fund at the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation for providing financial support of the NH Civic Index.

© 2006 New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College
100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, NH 03102
Phone (603) 222-4100