Advancing fair elections and impartial election governance. Research, analysis, and ideas for strengthening US democracy.
Joined October 2019
- Tweets767
- Following1K
- Followers1K
- Likes412
Pinned Tweet
1/ Gerrymandering isn't new. But today's redistricting environment is especially dangerous.
Today, ERN's Heather Balas briefed congressional staff on how we got here—and why Congress needs to act to establish #FairRulesFairMaps. 🧵
Too many elections are decided in low-turnout primaries, leaving voters with little meaningful choice in November.
This week, ERN Executive Director Kevin Johnson spoke in support of MA Question 3 to establish all-party primaries.
Learn more:
democracyguardrail.substack.…
After years of defending elections against outside threats, it's time to address the risks of partisanship within election institutions themselves.
ERN's Kevin Johnson outlines four necessary reforms in a new essay for @NYULawDemProjct.
democracyproject.org/posts/i…
16 sitting secretaries of state will appear on the ballot this November. Our special edition of Election Governance Matters looks at the conflicts, safeguards, and lawsuits, surrounding America’s top election officials.
democracyguardrail.substack.…
Big news for fair maps: Republicans and Democrats in the House @ProbSolveCaucus introduced four bills today to take on partisan gerrymandering.
ERN has been proud to help move this bipartisan effort from principles to legislation. @KevinJreformers @HeatherBalas
More below:
1/ H.R. 10378 Problem Solvers Transparent Redistricting Under Stable Timelines (TRUST) Act: congress.gov/bill/119th-cong…
2/ H.R. 10379 Problem Solvers Map-drawing Accountability and Principled Standards (MAPS) Act: congress.gov/bill/119th-cong…
3/ H.R. 10380: Problem Solvers Independent Commissions Act: congress.gov/bill/119th-cong…
4/ H.R. 10381: Problem Solvers Nonpartisan Congressional Uniformity and Oversight of Redistricting Trials (COURTS) Act: congress.gov/bill/119th-cong…
ERN’s Kevin Johnson testified in Massachusetts yesterday on legislation ensuring Electoral College votes reflect the choice voters actually made.
Four states strengthened faithless elector laws this year. Could Massachusetts be next?
Learn more: democracyguardrail.substack.…
4/ State reforms, including independent redistricting commissions, have shown that fairer mapmaking is possible.
But a state-by-state approach can't solve the redistricting arms race.
A national problem requires national rules.
5/ Congress can end gerrymandering once and for all.
Today's briefing helped launch Fair Rules, Fair Maps, sponsored by the bipartisan @ProbSolveCaucus and bringing together national democracy reform organizations led by ERN.
Learn more: democracyguardrail.substack.…
Massachusetts supporters of ranked choice voting may have mixed feelings about Question 3’s All-Party Primary.
But a win for Question 3 would be good for RCV—and good for democracy in Massachusetts.
Here’s why: democracyguardrail.substack.…
What does it take to keep partisan self-interest from shaping how our elections are run?
Proposed nonpartisan reforms in CA and a TX official resisting pressure from his own party offer encouraging signs.
Read more in Election Governance Matters: democracyguardrail.substack.…
"Reforming our primary elections will inject more choices and more competition into our elections — a change that is better for everyone: voters and parties, our state and the nation."
democracyguardrail.substack.…
We're encouraged by the robust set of nonpartisan solutions to the gerrymandering fiasco released today by the Problem Solvers Caucus. Election Reformers Network stands ready to support the four reforms outlined in this framework.
Read more: democracyguardrail.substack.…
It's easy to believe that election reform won't be possible until at least 2029.
But important progress is underway right now across the country to build a more voter-centric democracy.
New from @KevinJreformers:
democracyguardrail.substack.…
Trust in elections isn’t just about norms—it’s about institutions.
ERN's new report examines how New Zealand, Germany, South Korea, & Costa Rica built election systems designed to be neutral, professional, and resilient.
electionreformers.org/articl…
Check out ERN’s Kevin Johnson on the Democracy Lab podcast discussing one of the strangest features of American democracy: we elect the officials who run our elections. A great conversation about designing institutions that promote neutrality and public trust!
The US is the only democracy that elects the people who manage its elections. Can they be trusted to stay neutral? That's the question @ERN_Reformers has been working to answer. New 🎙️Democracy Lab episode with @KevinJreformers.
Listen here now 🎧: expanddem.substack.com/p/why…