People in the democracy reform movement, both old and new, must sometimes feel like they are trying to empty the ocean with a slotted spoon.
But while change may sometimes happen slowly, there are plenty of reasons for democracy reformers to be thankful this year. So enjoy that extra turkey leg or slice of pumpkin pie, with the knowledge that progress is being made across the country.
Here are five reasons reformers are giving thanks this holiday season. What did we forget? Email us at newsroom@thefulcrum.us.
1. Redistricting reforms
Many in the democracy reform movement were gravely disappointed this summer when the Supreme Court decided it has no role to play in evaluating partisan gerrymandering. Instead, the justices left the problem in the hands of state courts and the people. In many states, the people have responded, following the lead of some who acted even before the court's ruling. In 2018, voters in five states (Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Utah) passed reforms to make future mapmaking fairer and more transparent. This year redistricting reforms were passed by legislatures in New Hampshire (although it was vetoed by the governor) and Virginia, and efforts are underway in other states around the country, including Oklahoma, Nevada, Oregon and Illinois.
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2. Expansion of ranked-choice voting
For those who think there are better ways to elect our representatives in government than the traditional "pick one" system, this has been a good year. The decision by New York City voters to choose their mayor, city council and other officials using the ranked-choice method was a major win. Not only will voters get the chance to rank multiple candidates starting in 2021, but the attention the new system will get by being used in the Big Apple is priceless. Plus, RCV will get additional attention in 2019 with several states planning to use it for their Democratic presidential primaries.
3. Extension of automatic voter registration
AVR is also gaining momentum across the country. Under this system, people are registered to vote when they interact with a government agency (often motor vehicle bureaus) unless they choose to opt out. As of this summer, 18 states and the District of Columbia had adopted automatic voter registration policies. That puts more than a third of the country's population under AVR, and the results have been exciting. In Oregon, the first state to implement AVR, registration rates quadrupled at motor vehicle offices and more than 300,000 people have been registered in Georgia.
4. The polls
While it sometimes seems like democracy reform doesn't get the attention it deserves, the public continues to show its support and recognition when asked by pollsters. The latest came in a survey commissioned and released earlier this month by the Campaign Legal Center that found voters see "corruption in our political system" as the country's most pressing problem. In October, two-thirds of voters told pollsters they believe the country is on the "edge of a civil war" while another poll identified the government itself as the country's biggest problem. This consistent message from the public is likely to continue to gain attention for the democracy reform movement.
5. Reform talk at the presidential debates
It took until the fifth Democratic presidential debate last week in Atlanta, but finally there was some focus on democracy reform in the candidate gabfests. Reforms can thank, in part, the moderators, who for the first time asked questions about the problems facing American democracy. But candidates also brought up some of the issues on their own. Topics discussed included the influence of special interests and rich donors on the political process, as well as the problems some face in getting access to the ballot box.
