On July 27, the Academy and Unite America will co-host a virtual webinar event, “The Promise of Proportional Representation for Democracy.”
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** Virtual Event: The Promise of Proportional Representation for Democracy
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The United States currently uses single-member Congressional districts and a "winner-take-all" system for electing members to the House. While this system seems like second-nature to most Amreicans, it has many drawbacks: It rewards partisan gerrymandering, gives voices on the extremes of the political spectrum outsized influence, prevents third parties from becoming viable, and makes the House less representative of the public than it could be. Our Common Purpose argues that moving to a system of multi-member districts and proportional representation could end gerrymandering, reduce polarization, and improve representation. Making this shift, however, requires amending the 1967 law that locks our nation into this flawed electoral system.

On July 27, the Academy and Unite America will co-host a virtual webinar event, “The Promise of Proportional Representation for Democracy.” Norm Ornstein, Andy Craig, Alora Thomas-Lundborg, Grant Tudor and Steven Olikara will discuss why a growing body of experts believe this reform would strengthen American democracy. This event follows the publication of a recent report ([link removed]) from Unite America and Protect Democracy that expands on the recommendation in Our Common Purpose.

DATE: July 27, 2023 | 4-5 PM ET | Register Here ([link removed])

** What We're Reading
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** Poll: Americans pessimistic about the state of democracy.
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Only about 1 in 10 U.S. adults think American democracy is working very well, according to a new poll ([link removed]) from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

** A call to service for democracy: Addressed to scientists and technologists
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At Caltech's 129th commencement in June 2023, Danielle Allen challenged graduates ([link removed]) to commit to service in support of democracy and human flourishing.

** Could ranked choice voting promote civil discourse?
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Advocates of ranked choice voting ([link removed]) say it helps fight political polarization and improves civil discourse by helping to elect centrist candidates who have broad support. Our Common Purpose recommends introducing RCV in presidential, congressional, and state elections.

** Bipartisan Policy Center explainer: The Federal role in elections.
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The Bipartisan Policy Center released a new explainer ([link removed]) that visualizes the complex web of federal entities involved in elections in the United States.

** Citizen assemblies and the practice of democracy.
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Claudia Chwalisz, Founder and CEO, DemocracyNext, explains why citizen assemblies ([link removed]) would restore citizens’ faith in democracy. Our Common Purpose calls for promoting experimentation with citizen assemblies in recommendation 3.3.

** CivXNow: States' progress in civics education.
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CivXNow, an OCP Champion, recaps recent state-level progress ([link removed]) in promoting civics education. Our Common Purpose calls for investments in civics education in recommendation 6.5.

** Museums are helping Americans bridge divides.
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Kate Doak-Keszler, Partnerships and Communications Director, Made By Us, an OCP Champion, shares how ([link removed]) museums are working to bridge the partisan divide. Our Common Purpose calls for expanding civic bridging capacity in recommendation 4.2

** Get Involved
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** America250 launches countdown to 2026.
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The U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission, also known as America250, launched a nationwide, multi-year public awareness and engagement campaign to kick off the three-year countdown to 2026. Learn how you can participate ([link removed]) in your own community.

** Faces of democracy: A campaign to strengthen U.S. elections.
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Issue One, an OCP Champion, is working with election officials and poll workers from across the country to bolster protections and build trust in our system of free and fair elections. Learn more and see how you can get involved ([link removed]) .

** Read the Report
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Learn more about the Academy's current efforts to advance reforms to reinvent American democracy and read the Our Common Purpose report here ([link removed]) .
Read the Report ([link removed])

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