Starting now!

Please join New America's Political Reform Program, Columbia World Projects, and @north.america.fidemocracy.org tomorrow from 11am to 12pm ET for an exciting panel that will explore the past, present, and future of assemblies in America, and their role in broader institutional reform movements.

Start your day with something new: our latest #ThisOldDemocracy podcast episode is here. All about the authoritarian mindset with @msifry.bsky.social and @ianbassin.bsky.social from @protectdemocracy.org (Links below)

What’s preventing young people from starting their own political parties in the United States? @oscarp.bsky.social breaks down how the winner-take-all electoral system stifles party organizing and youth engagement in his piece for @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social. thefulcrum.us/electoral-re...

Hollie Russon Gilman provides an insightful review of Celina Su's new book Budget Justice: On Building Grassroots Politics and Solidarities for @ssir.org. Exploring how budgets are more than just spreadsheets, but moral and political documents: ssir.org/books/review...

"The Democrats don’t have a messaging problem. They have a much bigger problem: They have accepted a losing political battle they never chose without even realizing it." @leedrutman.bsky.social for @vox.com www.vox.com/politics/459...

Please join us for a special panel celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month on Sep. 18. We'll be talking about voting, education, tech, and development. Reception to follow. Sign up here: events.newamerica.org/latinovoices

Ballot initiatives helped Michigan clean up partisan gerrymandering. They gave Maine ranked-choice voting. They made Arizona campaigns more competitive. Ballot initiatives work and we need to expand them. @maresastrano.bsky.social for @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social: thefulcrum.us/electoral-re...

“Dan, how do we legalize fusion voting?” OK, maybe no one actually asks me that on the street—but here’s the answer: Litigation. Citizens in KS, NJ, and WI are suing for their right to nominate candidates under their own party label. It’s about freedom of association. Let voters choose and be heard.

New America experts around the web: 1️⃣ @politicalreform.newamerica.org Maresa Strano for @thefulcrum-us.bsky.social bit.ly/3UN4HiJ 2️⃣ @educationwork.newamerica.org Rachel Fishman for @insidehighered.com bit.ly/4fwx7GY 3️⃣ Heela Rasool-Ayub for @aljazeera.com bit.ly/47schqb

Young voters are often left on the margins of U.S. politics. Could winner-take-all elections be part of the reason? @oscarp.bsky.social and @dustinwahl.bsky.social examine the system’s impact in a new @protectdemocracy.org report. protectdemocracy.org/work/age-div...

It’s not every day a former Dem & GOP governor agree on fixing democracy—but Jon Corzine and Christine Todd Whitman just did. In New Jersey, they’re calling to revive fusion voting: more choice, more accountability, less toxic politics. NJ could lead the way. 👀 #FusionVoting 🗳️ #DemocracyReform

How can political institutions change? A new report looked at the history of ballot initiative adoption across the U.S. One big takeaway: Reform is most likely when no party holds total control.

Real representation requires real reform. @leedrutman.bsky.social argued in @slate.com that proportional representation is a good place to start. His case still holds up today, and here is why: slate.com/news-and-pol...

Pro-democracy folks: 👀 @newsweek.com piece by @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social & Tom Rogers highlights the @americanbar.org Task Force report urging states to revisit fusion voting. Re-legalizing fusion = more choice, less polarization, stronger democracy. Coalition politics beats authoritarianism.

What’s the future of congressional casework? @leedrutman.bsky.social talks with Anne Meeker from @popvoxfdn.bsky.social about how constituent services might evolve under proportional representation. Listen here: www.politicsinquestion.com/episodes/fut...

As America approaches its 250th birthday, @drtedj.bsky.social reflects on what our past celebrations say about who we are, and who we still hope to be. Read more from @washingtonpost.com here:

The U.S. struggles to act on major issues, even with broad public support, because of structural barriers in the American political system. A two-party, winner-take-all model makes compromise rare and gridlock common. Proportional representation could offer a way forward.

New pod with @msifry.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSx9...

“The current moment is ripe to deploy these models to address the most urgent questions related to AI and its governance.”

Want a real multiparty democracy in the U.S.? Start with #FusionVoting, an #ElectionReform that opens the door for new parties to emerge—and thrive. @leedrutman.bsky.social @newamerica.org @politicalreform.newamerica.org substack.com/home/post/p-...

How can more Americans gain a direct say in policymaking? In a new brief, @maresastrano.bsky.social analyzes the performance record of ballot initiatives in the U.S. with an eye toward bringing access to more states. Read the full brief here: newamerica.org/political-re...

America is stuck in a two-party doom loop. Could Elon Musk’s “America Party” actually shake things up? Senior Fellow, @leedrutman.bsky.social, talks with Smart Girl Dumb Questions host, Nayeema Raza, about the history, current dysfunction, and future of our party system. Listen here:

As the second Trump Administration dismantles institutions designed to inform good governance, think tanks face a critical moment. Their futures depend on preserving independent analysis, standing together against authoritarian attacks, and investing in democratic renewal.

How do we design systems that can hold the present moment? Kimberlyn Leary explores the different ways community and national leaders answer this question and the common thread to bridging these approaches. Read here: www.newamerica.org/political-re...

Youth disaffection with politics is real, but not irreversible. Pairing citizens’ assemblies with platforms like #Discord could help rebuild civic trust, meet young people where they are, and reimagine policymaking for the digital age.

More than 65% of Americans support giving citizens the power to vote directly on laws. But a majority of voters in our country don’t have that chance because they don’t have access to ballot initiatives.

@leedrutman.bsky.social made a case for fusion voting as a structural reform to counteract partisan polarization and democratic backsliding in the U.S. in his 2022 report. Read more about the key findings here:

A sneak preview from our forthcoming podcast: Guest @perrybaconjr.bsky.social gives his take on better ways to bring new parties into our democracy than just a party in Elon Musk's image.

These attacks on citizen-led policy demonstrate the real power of ballot initiatives and why voters in more states should have access to this essential democratic tool. For more information on how to expand citizen-led policymaking, check out our research here: www.newamerica.org/political-re...

Most U.S. voters live in districts where elections aren’t competitive. Proportional representation can boost accountability by giving voters real choices and real power. For seven more reasons to upgrade our electoral system, read @oscarp.bsky.social’s piece here: www.newamerica.org/political-re...

Only twenty-six states provide access to statewide direct democracy with varying levels of usability. Our new report analyzes where and how to expand citizen-led policymaking in remaining states. Read the full report here: www.newamerica.org/political-re... #DirectDemocracy #BallotInitiatives

Elon Musk says it's time for a new political party—and he’s not alone. But to truly break the two-party gridlock, we need more than just a third option. Real reform starts with how we vote: #FusionVoting and #ProportionalRepresentation can open the door to many new voices.

From @leedrutman.bsky.social to Elon Musk: If you’re serious about building a third party, then start with #FusionVoting. It’s how minor parties gain real power—by cross-nominating major party candidates and showing where their votes come from. Ballot lines = leverage. Third parties = power.

In a time of increasing #polarization, will we see #bipartisanship reappear in the Senate anytime soon? Read more about the drivers of partisanship and the obstacles to cross-aisle collaboration in @leedrutman.bsky.social's 2021 piece: fivethirtyeight.com/features/why...

Expanding ballot initiatives isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our new report sorted states into four strategy groups, from “Poised for Progress” to “Low Urgency.” This helps identify where near-term reform is viable—and where long-term investment is essential.

America’s winner-take-all system limits representation, stifles political will, and blocks the policies the abundance agenda demands. Proportional representation may be the reform our democracy needs. Read more from @oscarp.bsky.social here: www.newamerica.org/political-re...

Electoral reform doesn’t always start in the legislature. In fact, it often comes from outside the government. From #RCV to fair maps, the biggest reform wins of the past decade came through ballot initiatives. Let’s defend and expand that power: www.newamerica.org/political-re...

With only 26 states allowing ballot initiatives, millions of Americans have no means to directly shape the agenda and make policy. Our newest report explores why, where, and how to expand this democratic reform to more states. Key findings include:

When U.S. legislatures become ineffective, citizen-led ballot initiatives let voters take matters into their own hands by passing and repealing laws.

Is America’s winner-take-all system making our government less accountable, less responsive—and less stable? @oscarp.bsky.social and John Carey’s white paper explores whether proportional representation could be the solution. Here’s what you need to know: www.newamerica.org/political-re...

The Funder’s Guide to Citizens’ Assemblies offers actionable insights for designing, funding, and scaling deliberative processes that rebuild trust, overcome polarization, and drive real policy change. Read @hrgilman.bsky.social's guide here: www.newamerica.org/political-re... #CitizensAssemblies

The Democratic & Republican parties are a duopoly—like Coke & Pepsi or Visa & Mastercard. They pretend to compete, but work together to crush their rivals. From banning fusion voting to rigging ballot access & campaign finance rules—they’ve locked the system down.

@leedrutman.bsky.social and James Wallner host Soren Dayton to talk about cycles of electoral reform and the role of partisan politics in the separation of powers. Listen here: www.politicsinquestion.com/episodes/red...

This foreshadows an end of the Voting Rights Act's majority-minority district strategy. After 60 years, the legal framework that increased minority representation has reached its limits. If so, now what?

This decision has implications for 2-3 House seats and determine who controls Congress in 2026. Same voters, same preferences, but judicial whims decide how votes add up. Democracy by dark magic - identical voters in, different majority party out. Presto, change-o.

In NYC's ranked-choice primaries, #Mamdani and #Lander endorsed each other—but voters couldn't see that on the ballot. Fusion voting, used in NY general elections, lets parties directly cross-endorse candidates making these coalitions ballot-official. Learn more here: newamerica.org/political-re...

Was #NYC's Mayoral primary a case for #RCV's ability to promote greater candidate civility on a local level? Read more about RCV’s capabilities and limitations here: www.newamerica.org/political-re... #NYCMayor #RankedChoiceVoting

“The public is only involved to the extent that there is a conflict.” @leedrutman.bsky.social and James Wallner use “The Semisovereign People: A Realist’s View of Democracy in America” to discuss the role of conflict in change and policymaking. Listen here: www.politicsinquestion.com/episodes/con...

Does #RankedChoiceVoting (RCV) attract more candidates and increase diversity? A brief from @newamerica.org and partners takes a hard look at RCV’s short-term effects. Here’s what they found: