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Understanding the Electoral Count Reform Act

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The 12 worst House districts: Experts label gerrymandering's dirty dozen

The women who lead democracy reform

Sara Bonk, Jackie Salit, Justine Williams
Shakira Mills
By Shakira MillsMar 14, 2022
Shakira Mills
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While women remain significantly underrepresented in government, there is at least one adjacent field in which they have achieved gender parity in leadership: the universe of democracy reform and bridge-building organizations.

In its 2021 Diversity Report, the Bridge Alliance found that half of the executives leading its 100 member organizations are women. (Disclosure: The Fulcrum is a program within the Bridge Alliance, which brings together organizations working toward a healthy democracy.)

To mark Women’s History Month, The Fulcrum is spotlighting just some of the women leading these organizations.

Louise Dubé

Louise Dub\u00e9
  

Executive Director, iCivics

"Investing in the civic education of our youth is essential if we are going to sustain and strengthen our constitutional democracy. I’m particularly inspired by Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor—who founded iCivics to ensure that the practice of democracy is learned by each new generation—and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who has picked up this mantle."

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Wisconsin election vote box on red color background
Baris-Ozer/Getty Images

Election integrity: How Wisconsin ensures safe and secure voting

While elections work differently depending on where you live, all states have security measures to ensure the integrity of every vote. With that in mind, The Fulcrum presents a six-part series on how elections work in swing states, starting with Wisconsin. Created by Issue One, these state summaries focus on each state's election process from registration to certification.

Our freedom to vote in fair and secure elections is the foundation of our system of self- governance established under the U.S. Constitution. Many people look to American elections as models of freedom and fairness. While elections in other countries are more unstable, we hold firm to our systems of checks and balances. As citizens, we have a voice that many people around the world do not.

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Man sitting in a chair near voting stations

An election official staffs a voting location in Lansing, Mich., during the state's Aug. 6, primary.

Emily Elconin for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Closed primaries, gerrymandering eliminate competition for House seats

Meyers is executive editor of The Fulcrum.

There are 435 voting members of the House of Representatives. But few of those districts — 55, to be exact — will be decided on Election Day, according to new data from the nonprofit organization Unite America. That’s because the vast majority of races were effectively decided during the primaries.

The research data goes deep into what Unite America calls the “Primary Problem,” in which few Americans are determining winners of House elections.

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Skies over Haifa, Israel

The Israeli military fires Iron Dome missiles to intercept dozens of rockets launched from Lebanon at the northern port city of Haifa on Oct. 8.

Mati Milstein/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Is 'just war' just?

Johnson is a United Methodist pastor, the author of "Holding Up Your Corner: Talking About Race in Your Community" and program director for the Bridge Alliance, which houses The Fulcrum.

As rockets are once again streaking across the skies of the Middle East and the cries of the bereaved echo through its ravaged streets, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s words and teachings reverberate like a mournful prayer in my spirit. They stir within me a deep sociopolitical and theological question, "Is 'just war' just?”

In this ongoing conflict, as in all wars, nation-states are forced to confront the terrible paradox of the just war theory — that the pursuit of justice can sometimes demand the violence it seeks to vanquish.

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JD Vance speaking in front of a campaign banner

Vice presidential candidate J.D. Vance.

Joel Angel Juarez for The Washington Post via Getty Images

Looking for truth when lies become too easy to embrace

Page is an American journalist, syndicated columnist and senior member of the Chicago Tribune editorial board.

Sometimes amid the hoopla and hogwash of political events, I find myself jerked alert by an accidental truth that manages to break through.

Such appeared to be the case when Sen. J.D. Vance, the Republican nominee for vice president, urged Democrats to “tone down their rhetoric,” while not doing much to tone down his own.

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Ballot box with North Carolina flag
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Election Overtime Project heads to North Carolina

The Election Overtime Project, an effort to prepare journalists to cover the outcome of the 2024 election, is hosting its third swing-state briefing on Oct. 18, this time focused on North Carolina.

The series is a part of an effort to help reporters, TV anchors and others prepare America to understand and not fear close elections. Election Overtime is an initiative of the Election Reformers Network and developed in partnership with the Bridge Alliance, which publishes The Fulcrum.

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