·
Who Is the Donor Class?
The term "donor class" describes the phenomenon where a small segment of affluent individuals contribute disproportionately large sums of money to politics.
Read Full
Blog
Electoral Reform
·
Why Bottom-Up Politics Is the Key to Political Reform
Bottom-up politics, also called "trickle-up" politics, is the key to creating real change in politics and addressing community issues from the ground up.
Read Full
·
Absolute Majority vs. Simple Majority: What's the Difference?
A simple majority occurs when one candidate in an election receives more votes than any other, while an absolute majority adheres to a stricter standard.
Read Full
·
14 Years After Citizens United: Where Are We Now?
Guest writer Carli Downing explores the ways the 2010 Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. FEC has influenced campaign finance and the rise of Super PACs.
Read Full
·
What Happens in a Contingent Election?
Explore the role of the 12th Amendment in a contingent election, how it guides the U.S. through electoral deadlocks, and its impact on democracy.
Read Full
·
Hard Money vs. Soft Money in Campaign Finance
Dive into the intricacies of hard vs. soft money in U.S. elections. Understand FEC regulations, the impact of the BCRA, and the push for campaign finance reform.
Read Full
·
Democracy vs. Plutocracy: Which Is the United States?
Is the United States a democracy or plutocracy? In plutocracies, power is primarily held or influenced by the wealthy, while democracies allow for fair representation.
Read Full
·
The Movement for Campaign Finance Reform
With billions of dollars spent on political campaigns up and down the ballot, the movement for campaign finance reform is a powerful voice for transparency and change.
Read Full
·
The Pros and Cons of Non-Partisan Ballots for Independents
While non-partisan ballots are meant to encourage voting for candidates based on merit, not just on party, they can have unintended consequences for independents.
Read Full
·
How Duverger's Law Influences the Two-Party System
Duverger’s Law states that when a democracy uses a winner-take-all or first-past-the-post system, a two-party system is also likely to develop.
Read Full
·
Pros and Cons of Automatic Voter Registration
Automatic voter registration is a system that automatically registers eligible citizens to vote, making it easier for more people to participate in elections.
Read Full
·
Cumulative Voting, Explained
Cumulative voting is a semi-proportional electoral system that is designed to ensure more equitable representation for minority voting groups.
Read Full
·
Pros and Cons of Voter ID Laws
Explore the most common arguments for and against voter ID laws, which require voters to present a valid form of identification before voting in elections.
Read Full
·
Top-Two Primary Elections, Explained
Unlike conventional open and closed primaries, top-two primary elections let political candidates appear on the same ballot, regardless of party affiliation.
Read Full
·
How Dark Money Impacts Our Democracy
Learn how dark money - the political funds spent by groups without disclosing the identities of their donors - undermines accountability and fairness in elections.
Read Full
·
How California’s Voter Guide Calls for Federal Action on Independent Naming Conventions
Hilaire “FUJI” Shioura, an independent candidate running for office in California's 51st Congressional District, highlights the need for action on voter guide conventions.
Read Full
·
How Does Fusion Voting Work?
Fusion voting allows political candidates to be nominated by multiple political parties. Learn how fusion voting works in different states across the U.S.
Read Full
·
Why Do People Vote Against Their Own Interests?
Discover the reasons why voters tend to vote against their own interests - whether from voter uncertainty or the effects of advertising and the two-party system.
Read Full
·
New Jersey: A Hidden Home of Voter Suppression
David Goodman, the statewide leader of RepresentUs of New Jersey, sheds light on the effects of the "county line," a voter suppression tactic in New Jersey.
Read Full
·
10 Causes of Voter Apathy in the United States
Voter apathy refers to a lack of interest among voters regarding participation in elections. Here, we walk through the top 10 reasons why it's a problem.
Read Full
·
What Is the Monotonicity Criterion in Voting Systems?
The Monotonicity Criterion is a way to measure whether a candidate's chances of winning truly increase when their position improves in the preferences of voters.
Read Full
·
Why Voter Turnout Matters in Local Elections
Each election cycle, local elections across the United States are determined by a slim majority. Learn more about the importance of each vote at the local level.
Read Full
·
The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact Explained
The idea behind the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is that whichever presidential candidate gets the most votes nationwide should win the election.
Read Full
·
Caucus vs. Primary Election: Understanding Key Differences
As primary season 2024 approaches, explore the differences between caucuses and primary elections, including the advantages and disadvantages of each system.
Read Full
·
What Is Proportional Representation?
In a system of proportional representation, the number of representatives in each district are elected in proportion to the number of voters who support them.
Read Full
·
What Is a Winner-Take-All Electoral System?
In a winner-take-all system, the candidate with the most votes wins the election, whether or not that candidate reflects the majority of voter preferences.
Read Full
·
Pros and Cons of Two-Round Election Systems
Two-round systems begin with a first round of voting and then proceed to a second round or runoff election if no winner emerges with an absolute majority.
Read Full
·
What Is a Blanket Primary Election?
A blanket primary is a type of primary election where all candidates for the same elected office appear on a single ballot, regardless of party affiliation.
Read Full
·
How Do Democracy Vouchers Work?
Democracy vouchers have emerged as an innovative approach to campaign financing that aims to increase public participation and reduce the influence of wealthy donors.
Read Full
·
The Pros and Cons of Publicly Funded Elections
Publicly funded elections are a system of electoral financing where government funds are used to support the campaigns of political candidates or parties.
Read Full
·
What is the “Spoiler Effect,” Really?
The spoiler effect is rooted in the mechanics of first-past-the-post voting, a system where the candidate with the most votes wins with or without an absolute majority.
Read Full
·
STAR Voting: An Alternative Election System
STAR Voting, which stands for "Score Then Automatic Runoff," is a voting system designed to address the limitations of methods like first-past-the-post voting.
Read Full
·
Why We Need the Freedom to Vote Act
Originally introduced in 2021, the Freedom to Vote Act seeks to address numerous issues related to voting and elections, from voter access to campaign finance.
Read Full
·
Why Can't the U.S. Have a Multi-Party System?
The two-party system has dominated American politics since the early 19th century, while many other nations have developed more nuanced multi-party systems.
Read Full
·
What Are Bloc Voting and Voting Blocs?
A voting bloc is a group of individuals who have similar views and who frequently cast ballots together to influence political outcomes.
Read Full
·
Plurality vs. Majority Voting: What's the Difference?
Plurality and majority voting each have advantages and disadvantages, especially as we consider how best to reform elections to represent the will of the people.
Read Full
·
10 Ways the Political Establishment Disenfranchises Voters
Voting disenfranchisement can be accomplished through creating laws that disproportionately affect people of color, the poor, and the elderly.
Read Full
·
What Is the Democracy Reform Movement?
By pushing for democracy reform legislation, we can change the way our government interacts with citizens to bring about true change for future generations.
Read Full
·
Approval Voting: An Alternate Voting System
Approval voting is an alternative voting system used in Fargo, North Dakota and St. Louis, Missouri, as well as in numerous organizations and scientific communities.
Read Full
·
Navigating the Labyrinth: Independents and Gerrymandering
From Maryland to Wisconsin, gerrymandering hurts voters across the nation and raises obstacles for independents seeking to run in gerrymandered districts.
Read Full
·
Electoral Reform: How to Challenge Ballot Access Laws
Ballot access laws vary from state to state, often increasing the barriers for independent candidates seeking to run for office at the state and national level.
Read Full
·
Looking North: Pros and Cons of Ranked Choice Voting
Already adopted statewide by Maine and Alaska, ranked choice voting comes with both advantages and disadvantages as an alternative election system.
Read Full
·
Can Independent Voters Vote in Primaries?
Primary elections vary between states, from open primaries to closed primaries and varieties in between. Learn which states let unaffiliated voters participate.
Read Full
·
Is It Time to Bring Back the Fairness Doctrine?
The Fairness Doctrine was enacted in 1949 and repealed in 1987. In the digital age of polarization and media bias, could this law provide balance in media coverage?
Read Full
·
What Is a Nonpartisan Election?
What makes an election non-partisan, and how is a non-partisan election different from a partisan race? Explore the advantages and disadvantages of each type of election.
Read Full
·
Overcoming Electoral Barriers: Actionable Strategies for Independent and Third-Party Candidates
Discover the main electoral barriers for independent candidates in local, state, and national elections, plus strategies for overcoming these obstacles.
Read Full
·
The Implications of Citizens United for Independent Candidates
The 2010 Supreme Court case Citizens United has had an immense impact on politics and elections. Learn the implications of this case for independent candidates.
Read Full
·
Swing States: Deciding the Fate of U.S. Presidential Elections
Swing states, or battleground states, play a big role in presidential elections. Which states are swing states, and why do these "purple" states have so much power?
Read Full
·
What are Political Donations?
In the realm of politics, financial contributions play a significant role in shaping the democratic process. Many feel that money plays an outsized role in elections, but an adequately funded campaign is often directly related to successful election outcomes. Read on to find out more.
Read Full
·
Uncontested Elections Rot Democracy From The Inside Out
The vast majority of elections held in the U.S. only have a single person on the ballot. How "democratic" can that really be?
Read Full
·
How Do Independent Candidates Get on the Ballot?
This article explores the steps, requirements, and challenges independent candidates face in their journey to run for public office independently. Gain insights into the path toward ballot access for those seeking political representation beyond party affiliations.
Read Full
·
Fundraising And The Race To The Bottom: How The Two-Party System Brings Out The Worst In Everyone
When party politics devolves to whoever can "defeat" the other side better, fundraising tends to reward those who turn the most negative.
Read Full
·
Electoral College Pros and Cons: Analyzing the Strengths and Weaknesses of the U.S. Electoral System
Explore the benefits and drawbacks of the Electoral College system in the United States. Delve into the arguments supporting and challenging this unique presidential election method. Gain insights into the ongoing debates surrounding its effectiveness and relevance.
Read Full
·
What Exactly Is Gerrymandering? Why Is It So Bad?
Gerrymandering is among the sneakiest anti-democratic practices politicians in power use to entrench their own rule against the will of the voters. It's a gross, utterly corrupt practice -- and it's the status quo. Let's break it down.
Read Full
·
Superdelegates Are Super Anti-Democratic: How Political Parties Try To Rig Their Primary Elections
When it comes to primary elections, don't be too shocked to learn that the "democratic process" isn't quite as democratic as it's cracked up to be.
Read Full
·
The Electoral College Is Even More Anti-Democratic Than You Probably Thought
Who exactly are the members of the Electoral College? Who chose them? It's certainly not us voters.
Read Full
·
Open Primary vs. Closed Primary: Exploring Different Primary Election Systems
Open primaries allow voters to choose any party's primary, while closed primaries restrict participation to registered party members. Open primaries have higher turnout but face concerns of strategic voting, while closed primaries preserve party ideology.
Read Full
·
Breaking the Two-Party Duopoly: Empowering Political Reform and Expanding Voter Choice
Breaking the two-party duopoly is crucial for expanding voter choice, enhancing voter representation and alternative political options, and fostering political innovation.
Read Full
·
Why Lifelong Term Limits Are Good For Corruption And Bad For Everything Else
Politicians are staying in officer longer and longer - allowing them to entrench themselves deeper in corrupt practices without fear. In particular, the lifelong terms of the Supreme Court are something we should consider changing for the health of our democracy.
Read Full
·
Ranked Choice Voting In The USA
Understanding the ranked choice voting pros and cons is essential for informed discussions about its potential impact on elections. RCV ensures that the winning candidate has the support of the majority rather than just a plurality.
Read Full
·
Open Primaries: Understanding the Mechanics and Implications
Open primaries aim to promote inclusivity, encourage voter participation, and provide voters with a wider range of options. They allow voters to have a say in the selection of candidates from multiple parties, rather than being limited to candidates within their own party.
Read Full
·
What Is The Electoral College And How Does It Work?
The College is an integral part of the presidential election process, yet many people don't fully understand how it works or why it is necessary. This blog post will explain the basics of the College, its role in American politics, and the criticisms that have been raised against it.
Read Full