The Democracy Lab

Think Nationally, Build Locally

Democracy isn't just an outcome; it's a process and a practice built on the local infrastructure of our everyday communities. This week, Eveline talks with the National Civic League [https://www.nationalcivicleague.org/]'s Rebecca Trout about what it takes to cultivate a healthy, participative democratic ecosystem. From fostering grassroots dialogue through Civic Genius to connecting change-makers via the Healthy Democracy Ecosystem Map, discover how NCL is helping citizens rebuild civic trust from the ground up.

A More Equitable Democracy

In this episode, Eveline sits down with Colin Cole [https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-cole-494a5286/] and Heather Villanueva [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-villanueva-42a5a74/] from More Equitable Democracy [https://www.equitabledemocracy.org/] to break down their individual and organizational theories of change and why their focus on proportional representation is critical. They also discuss MED's Electoral Justice Initiative, aimed at advancing proportional representation in jurisdictions across the country that has a proven track record in many cities already. Check out our work at expanddemocracy.org [expanddemocracy.org] and our musings on Substack [https://expanddem.substack.com/].

Why We Need Boring Election Officials

Eveline sits down with Kevin Johnson [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-johnson-992287/], Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Election Reformers Network [https://www.electionreformers.org/] (ERN), to discuss the past, present, and future problem of partisan election officials in America. They dive into the reasons why the U.S. is the only modern democracy with this set-up, and what that means for how groups like the ERN advocate for change. Check out our work at expanddemocracy.org [expanddemocracy.org] and our musings on Substack [https://expanddem.substack.com/].

Shining a Light on Dark Money

Constitutional amendments are not just theoretical. In this episode, Expand Democracy President and Founder Rob Richie sits down with Jeff Clements [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-clements/], CEO of American Promise, to discuss the movement underway to reject Citizens United. Learn how 25 states, most recently Idaho, have passed legislation in support of a constitutional amendment, and how more are on the way. Check out our work at expanddemocracy.org [expanddemocracy.org] and our musings on Substack [https://expanddem.substack.com/].

The Electoral College Workaround That Could Actually Work

The Electoral College isn't going anywhere, but there's a way to work around it without a constitutional amendment. Rob sits down with Chris Pearson, Executive Director of National Popular Vote, to talk about the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, what it would take to get it over the finish line, and what two decades of state-level reform advocacy actually looks like from the inside. Check out our work at expanddemocracy.org and our musings on Substack.