Democracy Notes

Join the team: We are seeking our first Director of Research, a strategic leader to shape and drive our research agenda. This role will fuel public policy solutions, strengthen advocacy, and deepen public understanding of the local news crisis. Apply now: rebuildlocalnews.org/careers/career…

Exciting news: We're thrilled to welcome Gene Perry to the team as our new Senior Policy Manager! Perry previously led government relations for Cherokee Nation Businesses and advanced public policy at the Oklahoma Policy Institute. Learn more: rebuildlocalnews.org/team/gene-perr…

⚡ NEW ISSUE OUT NOW! Authors and their essays below 👇

BREAKING: The @FordFoundation has named Heather Gerken, dean of @Yale University Law School and a former Obama campaign adviser, as its next president to replace longtime president Darren Walker in November. Gerken, the law school’s first woman dean, is expected to focus on democracy, the rule of law, and equity. At Yale she offered the first full-tuition scholarships for students from low-income backgrounds, increased veteran student representation from 1 percent to 10 percent, and significantly improved the number of first generation college students. phlnthrp.com/4l5oLIn

Join @DemocracyNotes on Monday 6/30 at 3pm ET to hear from @KellyKborn at @PackardFdn and @glichfield for a conversation about reimagining what's possible for our democratic future. Register here: us05web.zoom.us/meeting/regist…

Announcing our new Chief Executive Officer: Samantha Tarazi! As Voting Rights Lab's co-founder and former COO, Sam has been a primary driving force behind our innovative programs – we're thrilled to welcome her into this role. Learn more: votingrightslab.org/about-us

Important piece by Kettering Foundation senior fellow Judge J. Michael Luttig. Worth the time it takes. The most detailed and categorical statement of how this administration is subverting rule of law that I have yet seen. @judgeluttig @KetteringFdn theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/…

The ABA supports the rule of law. Read full message: ambar.org/f4zpnsky

Fusion voting is not a new idea: 🔸1850s: Abolitionists like the Liberty & Free Soil Parties cross-nominated candidates to push for an end to slavery 🔸1896: The Populist movement (including Grangers & Greenbackers) took on big business 🔸1890s: Populists & Republicans in NC united to fight for land reform, education & voting rights

State-level policy shapes everything from national service to tech to civic education. On 2/6 @ 3pm ET, join iCivics’ Sr. Director of Policy & Advocacy @CivicsInTheUSA as he shares the importance of state-level civic education policy. bit.ly/4hkvSLn @DemocracyNotes

Join us next Thursday at 3pm ET for a conversation on #nationalservice policy & innovation at the state level (and more). Hosted by @DemocracyNotes, speakers include: @icivics, @IssueOneReform, @helloctcl & @EveryLibrary. us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regist…

As dysfunction disrupts the executive and legislative branches of our federal government, we look to state governments for stability and solutions. Our tech policy expert Liana Keesing will join Gabe Lerner of @DemocracyNotes for a conversation about what can be done to advance and protect our democracy at the state level. Register now: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regist…

I’m not a movie critic, but here’s a must-watch on @PBS It tells the story of an 1890s #fusionvoting alliance between recently enfranchised Black voters & poor White farmers. Together, they passed reforms, & built progress—until the Ku Klux Klan violently overthrew them. This forgotten history needs to be remembered.

The third episode of @NewAmerica's Democracy Deciphered is out. One month after the election, @mschmitt9 and @MaresaStrano share fresh insights on the 2024 election results. newamerica.org/democracy-deci…

"We live in a time where conversations about voting rights lead us to expect the worst, and in doing so we risk ignoring or normalizing the less extreme but still problematic effects of attacks on our rights." @HannahKFried looks ahead to 2025: governing.com/politics/the-c…

So thrilling! Of course @Report4America's reputation was built by the 658 journalists who have served in 371 newsrooms (for profit and nonprofit, rural and urban, teeny tiny and grand). Corps members & newsrooms – YOU did this through your commitment to serving your communities

Big news in Tulsa! The Tulsa Local News Initiative is launching with $14M, supported by @JournalismProj's funding and incubation of a new nonprofit newsroom. It will expand the historic Oklahoma Eagle, add 20+ jobs, and ensure Tulsans trusted news. localnewsfortulsa.org/posts/tulsa-le…

On the second episode of @NewAmerica's Democracy Deciphered @oscarpocasangre and @AlexKeyssar break down the Electoral College: open.spotify.com/episode/3ni8rQ…

"In the end, winning coalitions and winning reforms are built together." @FairVote's @MeredithSumpter and @GMikeParsons write a wrap up of #RankedChoiceVoting ballot measures in @DemocracyNotes, highlighting what worked and what opportunities lie ahead: democracytakes.substack.com/p/ranked-choic…

FairVote CEO @MeredithSumpter and Senior Legal Fellow @GMikeParsons: What’s next for the #RankedChoiceVoting movement. Via @DemocracyNotes / @Gabe_Lerner democracytakes.substack.com/p/ranked-choic…