LNE celebrates Multicultural Night
The third annual event brought LNE's communities together, lifted up student voices, and provided space for families to connect.
September 21, 2023
Meet Lena Wimes, Youth Civic Leadership programs manager
Lena directs and coordinates programs in Civic Nebraska’s school-based Community Learning Centers.
September 20, 2023
How to celebrate National Voter Registration Day (even if you’re…
Celebrated every September, National Voter Registration Day involves volunteers and organizations from all over the country hitting the streets in a single day of coordinated field, technology, and media efforts.
September 18, 2023
Introducing Kwame Gyamfi, our Lincoln Northeast CLC leader
The writer, coach, and student advocate moved into the Rocket CLC role this month.
September 18, 2023
The Constitution Day Super-Quiz
Test your knowledge of our supreme law of the land with our Constitution Super-Quiz.
September 17, 2023
Making elections accessible to *all*
Voting Rights Organizing Coordinator Chueqa Yang on Disability Voting Rights Week, and the importance of creating a truly representative democracy.
September 11, 2023
The Complete Patriot’s Guide to Uncle Sam
The story of Uncle Sam – how our nation’s unique personification came to be forged by our many conflicts, the nuances of what he symbolizes, and ways that he persists in American culture.
September 6, 2023
Volleyball Day in Nebraska and the power of shared experience
Bonding over common interests, creating shared memories, and leveraging our social connections strengthens the fabric of our communities, our states, and our nation.
August 31, 2023
Reviving ‘netizenship’
As we navigate the vast digital realm, it's vital we maintain our commitment to being responsible, active citizens.
August 30, 2023
A record year for ‘Cap Days’
In the past year, our Capitol Experience Day program served 1,057 participants – more than ever before.
August 23, 2023
Help Nebraska vote: 7 reasons to be a poll worker
Poll workers are the backbone of American elections. On National Poll Worker Recruitment Day, here are seven big reasons to join the process.
August 22, 2023
Honeybee democracy
Here's how our favorite winged pollinators inspire a modern and robust democracy.
August 21, 2023
Meet Jann Rouzee, voting rights field organizer
The Scottsbluff resident helps coordinate Civic Nebraska’s voting rights initiatives and campaigns, with a specific focus on areas of the state outside of Lincoln and Omaha.
August 17, 2023
The poll workers hall of fame: Douglas Co. edition
Douglas County Election Commissioner Brian Kruse will host an induction ceremony on Aug. 23 to honor and recognize 17 people who have dedicated at least 20 years to help ensure fair and honest democratic elections in Douglas County.
August 16, 2023
Here we go! Another (after-)school year is here
Our Youth Civic Leadership staff is busily preparing for students to return to our after-school spaces in Lincoln and Omaha, where we reinforce civic learning while providing a safe place for kids to continue their educational journeys.
August 11, 2023
Empower change: Ban source-of-income discrimination in Lincoln
An open letter from our partners with Collective Impact Lincoln.
August 11, 2023
Meet Tanner Cano, Civic Nebraska’s executive assistant
Tanner manages the executive director's schedule and travel, assists in staffing our boards, tracks, assists, and prioritizes the executive director’s tasks, and coordinates with Civic Nebraska staff for organization-wide initiatives.
August 3, 2023
Are election law changes really much ado about nothing?
A new study suggests that recent state-level changes in a number of states don't have the partisan effect some expected.
July 28, 2023
TROVE: A closer look at Lancaster County
Poverty, median income, housing tenure, and education correlated more strongly in Lancaster County with voter turnout than at the state level.
July 20, 2023
It’s grow time: Celebrating the LNE community garden
Enjoy a student-led garden tour, sample local produce, and get insights from LPS staff and community partners about the garden. Anyone interested in gardens and outdoor learning efforts is welcome to join in.
July 18, 2023
Voters with disabilities surged in ’22, thanks to vote-by-mail
When you meet voters where they are, they're far more likely to participate in elections.
July 13, 2023
Lift others’ voices. Democracy will thank you for it.
We have a democratic duty to lift up the voices and share the stories of others, particularly those of us who have been historically silenced.
July 12, 2023
Introducing Logan Niedzielski, our Campbell CLC site leader
As the leader of the Campbell CLC in north-central Lincoln, Logan creates opportunities and support services for improved student learning and development, stronger families, and healthier neighborhoods.
July 5, 2023
Play Deep: a Civic Sermon
Be good teammates. Keep driving toward our shared goal. And coach each other up when needed.
July 1, 2023
Summer: a time for fun, a time for learning
School may be out, but our mission to build the next generation of civic leaders never ends.
June 28, 2023
What? So What? Now What?: SCOTUS’ Moore vs. Harper ruling
The 6-3 high court ruling is a victory – and a big relief – for voting rights advocates in the United States.
June 27, 2023
Civic Nebraska @ the Statehouse: 2023 in review
Thanks to all of you who called, emailed, testified, and donated in support of Nebraskans' voting rights this session.
June 20, 2023
The Civic Season is upon us!
This Civic Season – from Juneteenth to Independence Day – let's celebrate the story of America and rededicate ourselves to our nation's founding creed.
June 15, 2023
Putting TROVE to work: examining Nebraska voter turnout
Civic Nebraska will host a webinar at noon CDT (11 am MDT) on June 15 to introduce TROVE, discuss best practices and potential applications, and answer any questions about the new tool.
June 9, 2023
Strong Neighborhoods grants to fund $25,000 in local projects
Civic Nebraska will serve as the fiscal agent and distribute the funding at the discretion of the Community Builder Coalition, a group of community builders and organizers from local organizations developed out of Prosper Lincoln's Strong Neighborhoods initiative.
June 8, 2023
Introducing TROVE, the Nebraska voter turnout tool
TROVE is a map-based, data-rich interactive resource that highlights the state's voter participation rates.
June 6, 2023
Vote-by-mail: How does Nebraska stack up?
Democracy is best served by meeting voters where they are – this means accessible, secure, vote-by-mail-friendly elections that include numerous and accessible in-person options to receive and cast our ballots.
June 2, 2023
Legislature passes ‘least bad’ version of voter ID
Legislators have put LB514 on the governor’s desk.
June 1, 2023
Statement on the advancement of LB514 (voter ID)
On May 30, 2023, following the Nebraska Legislature's vote to advance LB514 to Final Reading, Civic Nebraska issued the following statement.
May 30, 2023
The 2023 Summer of Democracy Reading List
We asked, and Nebraskans delivered by nominating more than 100 titles for our annual summer reading list on democracy, civics, history, and the social sciences. Here are our favorites from the bunch.
May 29, 2023
Round Two: Voter ID is back on the docket
If you're in the Lincoln area, join us Tuesday morning at the Capitol to see LB514 through to Final Reading.
May 28, 2023
On Give To Lincoln Day, donate to democracy.
On Wednesday, May 24, Civic Nebraska is participating in Give To Lincoln Day, the capital city's annual 24-hour community giving event.
May 23, 2023
Lawmakers overwhelmingly advance LB514 (voter ID)
LB514 easily survived a filibuster by Sen. Julie Slama and now moves to Select File, the second of three possible rounds of legislative debate.
May 22, 2023
Voter ID hits the floor May 22
The compromise version, advanced 8-0 this week by the Government Committee, is the "least bad" option among the voter ID bills introduced this session.
May 19, 2023
What? So What? Now what?: Stopping extreme voter ID
Significant movement has occurred this week in the months-long statehouse discussion about voter ID, and we expect conflict at the State Capitol.
May 17, 2023
Good news for Lincoln neighborhoods
Collective Impact Lincoln has received a three-year grant to continue its hyperlocal work in the Belmont, Clinton, Everett, Hartley, Near South, and University Place neighborhoods.
May 16, 2023
The Nation’s Report Card: Our job is clear
For many young people, it’s a struggle to understand how our institutions work and, moreover, why civic engagement is important. It's going to take all of us to change this.
May 10, 2023
Our statement on LB535
As described, the current LB535 components appear to be less burdensome than what had been recently proposed.
May 5, 2023
The Complete Patriot’s Guide to Cinco de Mayo
The holiday was born of geopolitical conflict, persisted via devotion to democracy, revived by 20th-century Mexican-American activism, and morphed by money and marketing into what it is today.
May 5, 2023
Lincoln: Few concerns in city’s general election
Civic Nebraska trained and deployed about two dozen Election Protectors to observe precincts around the capital city and has responded to several queries to its day-of Election Protection Line
May 2, 2023
In May, donate to democracy
Officially, Give to Lincoln Day is May 24 – but you can donate to Civic Nebraska starting today, up to and through the big day.
May 1, 2023
Crossing Divides: a wider look at confronting conflict
Civic Nebraska took part in a three-state pilot project that confronted systemic and structural forces that tend to exacerbate contemporary divisions.
April 25, 2023
2023 Summer of Democracy Reading List: Share your picks!
Every spring, we count on Nebraskans to nominate book titles for all ages that are fun and funny as well as serious and fundamental to our democracy.
April 24, 2023
Voter ID is fast approaching at the statehouse
The Nebraska Legislature is expected to debate a measure that imposes additional photo identification requirements on every Nebraska voter.
April 19, 2023
Meet Sam Meier-Bates, Collective Impact Lincoln community organizer
The Lincoln native works with neighbors, attends and organizes community events, and engages residents in grassroots leadership development, neighborhood revitalization, and low-wage worker organizing. He also organizes volunteers for neighborhood revitalization projects, asset mapping, and leadership development.
April 18, 2023
National Week of Conversation: Bridging differences, advancing democracy
By engaging one-on-one and in small groups, we remind ourselves that the “other” is, just like us, a person with family, friends, hopes, fears, values, and worth.
April 17, 2023
‘It’s dictated by us’: Strengthening Democracy Awards 2023
April 13, 2023, was a night we won't soon forget.
April 17, 2023
Lincoln election: Commission corrects April 4 precinct error
Eight voters incorrectly cast ballots in the Lincoln Public School Board District 2 race last week, but those eight votes did not substantially impact the primary results.
April 14, 2023
Let’s win one for accessibility and transparency
A critical component of a robust democracy is the public’s civic engagement, and LB254 would make that engagement much more convenient.
April 6, 2023
Moving toward productive, useful discourse
It’s in community where transformation happens. No labels, no titles, no assumptions. When we aren’t fixated on each other’s political ideology or assuming the values or beliefs of others, we get along and might even get some things done in the process.
April 5, 2023
Walk & Talk: The 2023 Lincoln city primary
We asked Lincoln voters: "Why is important to vote in local elections?"
April 4, 2023
Last call: Strengthening Democracy registration closes April 5
Join Civic Nebraska on April 13 to celebrate five Nebraskans who build a modern and robust democracy and to hear from national voting rights superstar Desmond Meade. Registration closes on April 5.
April 3, 2023
Strengthening Democracy: Joseline Reyna
The DREAMer can't currently vote because of her immigration status – but that hasn't stopped her from working tirelessly to organize and advocate for ballot access for those who can.
April 3, 2023
Strengthening Democracy: Cheyenne Hartshorn
The Lincoln Northeast teacher, who goes above and beyond to support student-driven service learning and civic leadership, is our 2023 Champion of Learning.
March 31, 2023
Partisan or nonpartisan, everything is political
We are all in the political arena, whether we want to be or not. Ignoring politics is in fact a political act, in the sense that we concede our right to others to affect our world for good or for ill.
March 30, 2023
Strengthening Democracy: Kendall Bartling
The Nebraska U. student, who has registered more than 1,000 first-time voters and who leads get-out-the-vote efforts to ensure the state's youth have a voice, is Civic Nebraska's 2023 Young Civic Leader.
March 29, 2023
Evnen to U.S. Senators: Nebraska elections are a model for…
"We're ready," the Nebraska Secretary of State said when asked about 2024.
March 28, 2023
Strengthening Democracy: Rick Galusha
The co-founder of the Omaha Free Speech Society, Bellevue U. scholar, and champion of civil discourse is our 2023 Civic Catalyst.
March 27, 2023
Strengthening Democracy: Eric Garcia-Mendez
The organizer, advocate, and change-maker, who has led the elevation and development of local leaders from communities across Grand Island, is our 2023 Community Builder.
March 24, 2023
‘Voices and Votes’: Coming to a Nebraska town near you
Throughout the year, we'll be providing special resources to communities where the exhibition will be on display – including Howells, Kearney, Belvidere, Wahoo, Gering, and Omaha.
March 22, 2023
Costly, less accurate elections: we oppose LB457 & LB808
On March 22, 2023, Civic Nebraska submitted written opposition to LB457 and LB808. The bills would impose invasive constant video surveillance of voters and require hand counts of ballots, respectively. Here's our testimony on each of these bad bills.
March 22, 2023
Be an Election Protector on May 2
Election observation protects the integrity of and helps maintain public confidence in our electoral processes.
March 20, 2023
Pro-voter bills: testimony on LB365, LB604, LB742
On March 16, Civic Nebraska Director of Public Policy Heidi Uhing testified on a trio of pro-voter bills. Here is her testimony as prepared.
March 16, 2023
Our 2023 Strengthening Democracy Awards honorees are …
The 2023 Strengthening Democracy Awards honorees include educators, advocates, students, and everyday Nebraskans who demonstrate exceptional civic leadership and who embody Civic Nebraska’s vision of a collaborative, innovative society.
March 15, 2023
Re-enfranchisement; Electoral College; election commissioners: our testimony
On March 15, Civic Nebraska Director of Public Policy Heidi Uhing testified on a trio of election-related bills. Here is her testimony as prepared.
March 15, 2023
‘Redundant, inefficient, adversarial’: our testimony on LR2CA
On March 9, 2023, Director of Public Policy Heidi Uhing testified in opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment that would do away with the Nebraska Legislature's unicameral and nonpartisan traditions.
March 9, 2023
‘Ensure access to the polls’: our LB770 testimony
A larger, ongoing, and more coordinated effort is needed in order to identify all the upgrades needed across the state and to fund that work so no voter faces barriers to the polls.
March 8, 2023
At the statehouse: ADA audits; bicameral Legislature
We’re watching two pieces of legislation that are set for public hearings this week. You can weigh in on both until noon CST the day before each hearing.
March 7, 2023
It’s National Civic Learning Week – let’s celebrate!
From March 6-10, 2023, teachers, researchers, students, and citizens across the United States are leaning into ways to strengthen civics education.
March 6, 2023
What? So What? Now What?: LB20 goes to the floor
This week, restoring voting rights for Nebraskans who have fully paid their debt to society advanced from committee to the full Legislature. Here's what that means.
March 3, 2023
Love the Capitol? Volunteer with us at the statehouse
Our Capitol Experience Day volunteers support Civic Nebraska by providing additional supervision and assistance where needed to ensure a positive educational experience for all participants.
March 2, 2023
Meet Alexis Lipson, Lincoln Northeast School Community Coordinator
Alexis works with the Rocket community to create effective programs for the teens participating in the CLC. She also directs daily CLC activities and builds neighborhood partnerships.
March 2, 2023
‘Not all voter ID laws are created equal’: Our March…
On March 1, 2023, Civic Nebraska Director of Public Policy Heidi Uhing testified in support of LB675 and in opposition to LB228 and LB230.
March 1, 2023
Q&A with Michael Bandy, director of Youth Civic Leadership
Michael Bandy has been promoted to director of our Youth Civic Leadership programs, which serve hundreds of students across Nebraska daily.
March 1, 2023
A salute to Kent Day
Our founding Director of Youth Civic Leadership programs is retiring March 1. Executive Director and Founder Adam Morfeld shares his thoughts on Kent’s impact.
February 27, 2023
Meet Nobel nominee Desmond Meade on April 13
Join Civic Nebraska to celebrate Nebraskans who build a more modern and robust democracy. Attendees will enjoy a keynote speech from national voting rights advocate and 2023 Nobel Peace Prize nominee Desmond Meade.
February 24, 2023
Voter ID: Speak up March 1 for voting rights
Our state senators need you to add your voice to this discussion so that they fully understand the costs, complications, and consequences of all three voter ID proposals.
February 23, 2023
‘We have a duty to act’: our testimony on LB20
On Feb. 22, 2023, Civic Nebraska Director of Public Policy Heidi Uhing testified in support of LB20, which would remove an arbitrary two-year waiting period for former felons to regain their right to vote.
February 22, 2023
In Good Faith: A Civic Sermon
"In so many ways, that’s the story of America — an enduring confidence in something you can’t see, but you know in your heart of hearts that it exists."
February 18, 2023
Restore the vote! Help advance LB20
The Government Committee will hear public testimony on Feb. 22.
February 15, 2023
Election 2023: Mail-in ballot requests landing in Lincoln mailboxes
On April 4, Lincoln voters will select general-election candidates for mayor, City Council, school board, and the Lincoln Airport Authority. Less than a month later, primary winners will square off in the general election.
February 14, 2023
The midterms were a success. Let’s make our elections even…
The continued popularity of early mail-in voting in Nebraska in the most recent midterm elections is an opportunity for officials and lawmakers to invest in making the absentee ballot process even better, a Civic Nebraska report shows.
February 13, 2023
Bee our guest: Civic Valentines for you
This Valentine's Day, share your love of America and democracy.
February 11, 2023
‘A critical component’: our testimony on LB254
Director of Public Policy Heidi Uhing testified on Feb. 10 on LB254, which would enable legislative footage to be used in civic education efforts, in schools, by the media, and by advocacy organizations.
February 10, 2023
Strengthening Democracy nominations are open
Nominate a Nebraskan who builds a more modern and robust democracy. Winners will be honored at Strengthening Democracy Awards on April 13 in Omaha.
February 6, 2023
‘Reason for concern’: our testimony on LB535
Heidi Uhing, Civic Nebraska's director of public policy, testified in opposition to a voter ID bill being considered by the Nebraska Legislature's Government Committee.
February 1, 2023
LB535: Need-to-knows about testifying
You can ensure state senators fully understand the costs, complications, and consequences of such a measure.
January 31, 2023
Family Literacy sees early success at LHS
A new Family Literacy class housed in the Lincoln High after-school Community Learning Center is giving English-language learners a way to learn while bonding with their families.
January 30, 2023
Celebrate! It’s Global Community Engagement Day
Jan. 28 is Global Community Engagement Day, a time to remind us all that our communities are stronger when we own them together.
January 28, 2023
A plan for creative placemaking
A grant from the Lincoln Arts Council will enable Collective Impact Lincoln and LUX Center for the Arts to create accessible community art – and strengthen civic fabric – in the capital city's University Place neighborhood.
January 27, 2023
Speak up! Voter ID hearing is Feb. 1
Your voice is needed so that committee members fully understand the ramifications of such a measure.
January 25, 2023
Student voice in civic education: LB225 testimony
On Jan. 23, 2023, Civic Nebraska testified before the Education Committee of the Nebraska Legislature in support of Legislative Bill 225. Here's our testimony.
January 24, 2023
We’re discussing discourse – join us!
We're looking for Nebraskans who have demonstrated civil discourse among groups of family, friends, or co-workers – and who can share with others how it's done.
January 23, 2023
