Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

Meet the reformer: Sara Gifford, putting tech savvy to work for civics

Sara Gifford and Victor Allis of ActiVote

Sara Gifford and Victor Allis co-founded ActiVote.

Courtesy Sara Gifford

In recent years, more and more technology experts have been developing new tools for boosting civic engagement. Sara Gifford embodies the trend. At the end of 2018 she set aside her budding tech career — after a decade at supply-chain software firm Quintiq she'd become chief operating officer for Dispatch, which makes software connecting home-service brands with contractors and clients — and co-founded ActiVote Inc. Its free app aims to increase political participation by giving voters access to information about candidates and elections, as well as encouraging their civic engagement. Her answers have been edited for clarity and length.

What's the tweet-length description of your organization?

We are a safe, nonpartisan space for voters to learn about their elections, the races, how to vote and which candidates believe what they believe. An informed voter feels empowered. And an empowered voter shows up to vote.


Describe your very first civic engagement.

My parents voted at our elementary school in rural Connecticut and would take my sisters and me to the polls with them. I remember not being allowed into my classroom until my parents voted. When I whined and complained, they would tell me there is nothing more important than voting and not to take school — or democracy — for granted.

What was your biggest professional triumph?

When you build something the question is always: But does it work? Well, last month we finished a study showing that downloading our app increases your chance of voting 33 percent. This was very encouraging for us. More importantly it should be encouraging to everyone else in this space. It means there are new and innovative ways to get people to the polls.

Sign up for The Fulcrum newsletter

And your most disappointing setback?

There is an old saying, "It can take years and years of hard work to become an overnight success." We are working hard for our overnight success to come! But, no worries: See the answer to the question below about advice.

How does your identity influence the way you go about your work?

I have heart. I am relentless. I am dedicated. I take all of those values and apply them to life and to our work increasing voter participation, because it takes all of those things to maintain our democracy.

What's the best advice you've ever been given?

Vince Lombardi said, "Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is." We may not always be as successful or as fast as we would like, but the one thing we can control is our endless drive to want to do good and to work hard to get there.

Create a new flavor for Ben & Jerry's.

Vote Ready: Strawberry and vanilla ice cream with blue sprinkles built on top of chocolate brownies.

What's your favorite political movie or TV show?

"The West Wing," which ran from 1999 to 2006 on NBC and is now available on Netflix.

What's the last thing you do on your phone at night?

Set up my white noise app so that I sleep like a baby.

What is your deepest, darkest secret?

As a kid I once hid the last piece to a puzzle my little sister and I were doing, knowing it would drive her crazy. But when it came down to finishing the puzzle I couldn't remember where I hid it. Still have never told her!

Read More

Biden and Trump Take Credit For Gaza Ceasefire

Palestinians gather to celebrate after the announcement of an cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Ramallah, West Bank on January 15, 2025.

(Photo by Issam Rimawi /Anadolu via Getty Images)

Biden and Trump Take Credit For Gaza Ceasefire

WASHINGTON— On Wednesday, both U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump took credit for a ceasefire-for-hostages agreement related to the conflict in Gaza. This deal, which had been in the works for several months, received additional support from an envoy associated with Trump, helping to facilitate its completion.

In announcing the ceasefire, Biden noted the final deal largely mirrored the framework of a proposal he made back in May, Reuters reported. He smiled when a reporter asked who the history books will credit for the ceasefire and asked, "Is that a joke?"

Keep ReadingShow less
Looking At Trump EPA Administrator Nominee Lee Zeldin

Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-N.Y., is seen in the Fiserv Forum on the second day of Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wis., on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.

Getty Images / Tom Williams

Looking At Trump EPA Administrator Nominee Lee Zeldin

Today we bring you the next in our series on current and former members of Congress nominated to a cabinet post by President-elect Trump. This story was originally published by Govtrack.us

The Senate will vote on Trump’s nominees once they are formally nominated after he takes office, but senators have already begun meeting with the expected nominees. They may also hold hearings ahead of Trump’s inauguration, to expedite the confirmation process.

Keep ReadingShow less
A Lesson from History as Trump Seeks to Return America to its Expansionist Past

A helicopter view of Tasiilaq East Greenland.

Getty Images / Christine Zenino Travel Photography

A Lesson from History as Trump Seeks to Return America to its Expansionist Past

As Donald Trump prepares to retake the presidency, his rhetoric is increasingly centered on reviving American expansionism. He wants the United States to acquire Greenland and the Panama Canal, has called Canada “the 51st state,” threatened Mexico with military incursions, and aims to rename the Gulf of Mexico the “Gulf of America.”

On January 7th, Donald Trump Jr. landed in Greenland to shoot video content for digital media, signaling the incoming administration’s interest in the mineral-rich Danish territory. The president-elect wrote on social media, “Don Jr. and my Reps landing in Greenland. The reception has been great. They, and the Free World, need safety, security, strength, and PEACE! This is a deal that must happen. MAGA. MAKE GREENLAND GREAT AGAIN!”

Keep ReadingShow less
Hope is the thing with feathers

A sunset over Washington D.C.

Getty Images / Anton Petrus

Hope is the thing with feathers

Hope is the thing with feathers--

That perches in the soul—

Keep ReadingShow less