Maresa Strano

Honored to be featured in the Washington Post’s Next 50 for 2026. Oh and on the same page as some other guy who is now the mayor of the provincial city in which I was born.

The NJ Supreme Court must rethink its stance on the fusion voting ruling, arguing that allowing candidates to appear on multiple party lines would strengthen democracy and give voters a more meaningful choice.

See wrap-up coverage of “Parties, Power, and Possibility: Revisiting Fusion Voting in Wisconsin,” which drew over 100 attendees. Thanks to all who made this possible! buff.ly/MP1k96P @PolReformNA @NewAmerica @fusionvoting @thompson_center @UWLawDemocracy @ElectionsCenter

Join us in Madison on 11/14! As courts weigh lifting WI's fusion ban, come for a day of cross-partisan expert panels. @WisconsinLaw @UWLawDemocracy @fusionvoting @thompson_center @ElectionsCenter @NewAmerica @leedrutman Register here: tinyurl.com/4hv5hctc

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: newamerica.org/political-refo…

NEW REPORT: Amid deepening political dysfunction, statewide ballot initiatives are a proven tool for change. A new report from @MaresaStrano @mschmitt9 and Oscar Pocasangre of @polreformNA breaks down the why, how, and where of expanding direct democracy: newamerica.org/political-refo…

Amid political dysfunction and distrust, ballot initiatives offer a time-tested mechanism for democratic correction and renewal. @PolReformNA explores how to expand citizen-led policymaking to more states. 🗳️ go.newamerica.org/citizen-led-po…

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.

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?

Here's why 4/20 is about more than just cannabis: newamerica.org/the-thread/420…  #420 #DirectDemocracy #CivicPower

Join @NewAmerica's Us@250 Initiative and @PolReformNA on November 21st from 1-2pm EST for a panel discussion about the election and Black America during a second Trump administration. RSVP: events.newamerica.org/blackvoters202…

🎊 NEW: Democracy Deciphered, a @NewAmerica original podcast. In episode 1, @PolReformNA's @MaresaStrano and @mschmitt9 share their 2024 Presidential Election insights. 🎧 Unravel the rich history of democratic governance #DemocracyDeciphered: go.newamerica.org/democracy-deci…

It’s a huge day for #RankedChoiceVoting around the country, including right here in our backyard w/ #YESon83! If you want to learn more about this reform, read my piece from this summer: newamerica.org/political-refo…

I'm enthusiastic to vote for DC's Initiative 83--ranked-choice voting along w/ open primaries. Not necessarily best combo for every state or city, but ideal for DC to encourage competition, ensure majority winners, and open the system in a city where most choices are intra-party.

With Election Day around the corner, the @PolReformNA team is digging deeper—examining not just the results but the underlying structural issues shaping our democracy. Read about the 7 questions we'll be on the lookout for: #can-we-reconnect-policy-and-politics-mark-schmitt" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">newamerica.org/political-refo…

This is a really excellent piece in Bloomberg from @MaryEllenKlas & Carolyn Silverman Draws on @DevinCaughey & @cwarshaw's book to show that red state policy is much less congruent with state public opinion than blue state policy bloomberg.com/graphics/2024-…

We recently sat down with six remarkable Latino leaders to hear their perspectives on the current cultural landscape & hopes for the future. 🗣️ Highlighted Voices @JulianCastro @JoseBilingue @MonicaCLozano @Cecilia44 Henry A. J. Ramos @AmandaRenteria 📣 go.newamerica.org/questions-with…

[EVENT 10/16] Interested in learning more about civic assemblies (aka juries for policymaking)? Join @NewAmerica on 10/16 for a webinar about Washington State’s efforts to enhance equity & opportunity through community-led decisionmaking. RSVP now 👉: newamerica.org/political-refo…

Have we as voters traded too much for convenience? @PolReformNA newamerica.org/political-refo…

Endorsements may go viral, but #fusionvoting "translates the energy of an endorsement into a structural mechanism for ongoing influence beyond Election Day. ” - @MaresaStrano newamerica.org/the-thread/ele…