Key Takeaways
1. Ordinary Citizens Ignite Democratic Reform
A few courageous individuals can spark a movement that changes our country for the better.
Grassroots power. The book consistently highlights that transformative change in democracy doesn't always originate from political elites or grand federal mandates, but from everyday Americans. Individuals like West Powell, a formerly incarcerated man in Kentucky, shared his personal story of redemption, which moved a conservative senator to champion a bill allowing thousands of felons to regain their voting rights. This demonstrates how personal narratives can humanize complex issues and shift political will.
Local impact. These "Democracy Champions" often begin their work at the local level, where they can directly engage with neighbors and local officials. Katie Fahey, a Michigan resident, started a Facebook post that blossomed into a statewide movement, Voters Not Politicians, successfully establishing an independent redistricting commission. Her story, and many others, underscore that local victories can create blueprints for broader, even statewide, reforms.
Collective action. The cumulative effect of these individual and local efforts is profound. Whether it's advocating for felon re-enfranchisement, improving voting accessibility, or pushing for campaign finance reform, these movements thrive on the dedication of volunteers. They prove that a shared commitment to democratic ideals, rather than wealth or political connections, is the true "secret sauce" of democracy.
2. Streamline Voter Registration for Universal Access
The antiquated requirement that new voters register a month before Election Day can leave some people out of our democracy with no corresponding benefit to the state.
Ease of access. Traditional voter registration methods, often requiring proactive steps weeks before an election, disenfranchise many eligible citizens. Reforms like Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) and Election Day Registration (EDR) address this by making registration seamless and convenient. Oregon's pioneering AVR system, for instance, automatically registers eligible citizens through the DMV, significantly boosting turnout and cleaning voter rolls.
Proven benefits. States adopting these modern registration methods consistently see positive outcomes:
- Automatic Voter Registration (AVR): Oregon added over 225,000 citizens to its voter rolls, with nearly 100,000 new registrants voting in 2016. It also increased the racial, age, and income diversity of the electorate.
- Election Day Registration (EDR): States with EDR, like Minnesota and Maine, consistently rank among the highest in voter turnout, demonstrating its effectiveness in capturing late-deciding voters.
- Online Voter Registration: Over 37 states now allow online registration, reducing costs (e.g., Arizona's paper registration costs 83 cents vs. 3 cents online) and improving accuracy.
Community engagement. Beyond systemic changes, grassroots efforts play a crucial role. Organizations like Mi Familia Vota in Texas partnered with taco trucks to distribute registration forms, reaching thousands of Latino voters. This "meet voters where they are" approach ensures that information and opportunities to register are widely available, especially in underserved communities.
3. Prioritize Convenience to Boost Voter Participation
The essence of our democracy is participation, so any secure voting reform that improves participation is worthy of consideration.
Rethinking Election Day. The traditional model of voting at a single, assigned precinct on Election Day can be a significant barrier for many. Innovations like Vote Centers and universal vote-by-mail prioritize voter convenience without compromising security. Scott Doyle in Larimer County, Colorado, transformed 143 precincts into 24 Vote Centers, allowing citizens to vote anywhere in the county, dramatically increasing turnout and reducing costs.
Vote-at-home success. Universal vote-by-mail, or "vote-at-home," sends a ballot directly to every registered voter, offering flexibility and time for informed decisions.
- Oregon, Washington, and Colorado have adopted this statewide, leading to consistently higher turnout rates.
- Cost-effective: Oregon saved approximately $1 million in a special election by using vote-by-mail.
- Security: Despite misconceptions, vote-by-mail systems like Oregon's have robust signature verification and strict penalties, resulting in negligible fraud (e.g., 9 prosecutions out of 15 million votes in Oregon over a decade).
Accessibility for all. Convenience extends to ensuring all citizens, including those with disabilities or language barriers, can vote easily. Dr. Juan Gilbert's Prime III voting machine offers a universally accessible interface, allowing voters to use touch, voice, or other devices on the same machine, eliminating stigma and ensuring equal access. Similarly, cities like New York and Boston provide multilingual voting materials and assistance, recognizing that language should not be a barrier to civic participation.
4. Empower Voters with Ranked Choice Voting
No longer would a voter have to choose between voting his or her conscience for a third-party nominee and selecting who they perceive to be the lesser of two evils.
Beyond "first-past-the-post." The traditional "winner-take-all" system often forces voters to choose the "lesser of two evils" or risk their vote being a "spoiler." Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) allows voters to rank candidates by preference (1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.). If no candidate wins a majority of first-place votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and their voters' second choices are reallocated until a majority winner emerges.
Benefits of RCV:
- True preferences: Voters can support their preferred candidate without fear of "wasting" their vote.
- Majority winners: Ensures the elected official has broad support, not just a plurality.
- Reduced negativity: Candidates are incentivized to appeal to a wider base, fostering more civil campaigns.
- Cost savings: Eliminates the need for expensive, low-turnout runoff elections.
Growing adoption. RCV is gaining traction across the U.S. and beyond. The Academy Awards uses it for Best Picture, and cities like San Francisco and Minneapolis have successfully implemented it for local elections. Maine became the first state to adopt RCV for certain statewide elections, demonstrating its viability on a larger scale, thanks to persistent grassroots advocacy.
5. End Partisan Gerrymandering Through Citizen Commissions
Politicians are choosing their voters, instead of the other way around.
Rigged maps. Gerrymandering, the practice of drawing electoral districts to favor one political party, undermines fair representation. Politicians, when given the power, manipulate district lines to "pack" opponents into a few districts or "crack" them across many, ensuring their own party's dominance regardless of the statewide popular vote. This leads to uncompetitive elections and voter apathy.
Citizen-led solutions. The most effective antidote to gerrymandering is independent redistricting commissions, composed of citizens rather than politicians. Katie Fahey's "Voters Not Politicians" movement in Michigan, sparked by a single Facebook post, successfully campaigned for a ballot initiative to create such a commission. This all-volunteer effort gathered over 425,000 signatures and passed with over 60% of the vote in 2018, demonstrating the power of grassroots organizing.
Widespread impact. The success in Michigan is part of a growing national trend. In 2018 alone, voters in five states—Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah—approved ballot measures to establish independent redistricting commissions. This movement, driven by diverse coalitions of citizens, aims to ensure that district lines reflect communities and populations, not partisan interests, fostering more competitive and representative elections.
6. Combat Big Money with Public Campaign Financing
We can help our friends and colleagues run for office instead of having people self-select because they have enough money or have wealthy friends.
Money's grip on politics. Campaign finance laws, shaped by Supreme Court rulings like Citizens United, have led to an explosion of money in elections, giving wealthy donors and special interests outsized influence. Candidates spend countless hours "dialing for dollars," often prioritizing donors over constituents, and making it nearly impossible for ordinary citizens to run for office.
Empowering ordinary candidates. Public financing systems offer a powerful alternative, allowing candidates to run competitive campaigns without relying on large private donations.
- Maine's Clean Election Act: Provides public funds to candidates who gather a certain number of small qualifying contributions (e.g., $5 donations). This system has enabled waitresses, teachers, and housepainters to serve in the state legislature, shifting focus from fundraising to constituent engagement.
- Seattle's Democracy Vouchers: Sends every resident four $25 vouchers to donate to qualifying candidates. In its first election, 20,727 residents used vouchers (double the cash donors in 2015), with almost 90% being first-time contributors to local campaigns.
Local innovation. These models, pioneered at the local level, are spreading. New York City has had a successful public financing system since the 1980s, and cities like Berkeley, Portland (OR), Montgomery County (MD), and Baltimore are adopting similar programs. These initiatives democratize campaign funding, increase donor diversity, and encourage candidates to connect with a broader base of voters.
7. Reimagine Civics Education for Lifelong Engagement
Education serves the essential function of instilling in our young an understanding of and appreciation for the principles and operation of our governmental processes.
Beyond rote memorization. Traditional civics education, often reduced to memorizing facts about government structures, fails to cultivate engaged citizens. Modern "action civics" emphasizes critical thinking, respectful debate, and real-world problem-solving. Teachers like Jen Hitchcock in Virginia engage students in debates on current issues, such as felon disenfranchisement or voter ID laws, fostering skills to analyze evidence and articulate arguments.
Youth-led change. Students, when empowered, can drive tangible policy changes. In Washington, D.C., high school students successfully advocated for free public transportation for students after identifying it as a barrier to school attendance. This hands-on approach, supported by programs like Mikva Challenge, transforms students from "citizens in waiting" to "citizen co-creators."
Lifelong learning. Civics education shouldn't end with high school. Initiatives like Orange County, California's free Election Academy for adults, or Staunton, Virginia's Citizen University, offer courses on local governance and election processes. Encouraging family discussions about politics and civic issues, and modeling active participation, are crucial for fostering an informed and engaged citizenry across all ages.
8. Local Media and Citizen Voices Uphold Democracy
Reporters, particularly from local media, are vital to the protection and expansion of voting rights.
Watchdog role. Local journalists serve as crucial watchdogs, providing accountability and transparency to governmental institutions. Patrick Marley of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, for example, meticulously covered Wisconsin's strict voter ID law, translating complex legal details for the public and even uncovering instances of DMV workers providing inaccurate information. His reporting directly influenced a federal judge's order for the state to better inform voters.
Truth-telling in a "fake news" era. In an age of misinformation, independent news organizations are essential for fact-checking and correcting false narratives. When claims of widespread voter fraud emerge, outlets like PolitiFact provide evidence-based rebuttals, helping to sustain trust in electoral institutions. Local media also highlight specific voting issues, such as outdated signs at polling places or poll worker intimidation, prompting swift corrective action from election officials.
Citizen journalism. Social media empowers every citizen to be a journalist, sharing experiences and alerting wider audiences to voting issues. Molly Neck's tweet about outdated voter ID signs in Texas led to local and national coverage and the removal of the misleading signs. This collective vigilance, combined with traditional reporting, creates a powerful force for transparency and accountability, encouraging participation and ensuring fair elections.
9. Embrace Proactive Reforms for a Stronger Future
We must move past the apathy about our elections that has invaded the American psyche.
Beyond defense. The prevailing narrative of "voter suppression" often leads to a defensive posture, focusing solely on fighting restrictive laws. While crucial, this approach is insufficient. The book advocates for a proactive shift towards positive voting rights enhancements that expand access and participation, rather than just preventing losses. This means actively building a more inclusive and robust democracy.
Aspirational goals. Instead of accepting low voter turnout (e.g., 60% in presidential elections, 25-30% in midterms) as normal, we should aspire to significantly higher participation, perhaps 90%, as seen in countries like Australia. This ambitious goal, achievable through widespread adoption of reforms discussed in the book, would enhance the legitimacy of our government and ensure policies better reflect the will of the people.
Continuous innovation. The journey to a more perfect union is ongoing. While state and local reforms are immediately actionable, broader structural changes like abolishing the Electoral College, reforming Congress, or imposing Supreme Court term limits remain part of the national discourse. Embracing new technologies like blockchain for secure mobile voting, while proceeding cautiously, also represents a forward-looking approach to modernizing our elections. The call to action is clear: complacency is not an option; every citizen has a role in shaping the future of our democracy.
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