Today marks National Constitution Day and National Voter Registration Day. Nonprofit VOTE has resources and opportunities to get America registered and ready to vote and Educating for American Democracy has resources educators can use to get students interested in civics and U.S. history.

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Since Our Common Purpose was published in 2020, over 75 organizations have pledged ([link removed]) to work to increase the resiliency of American democracy by 2026, our nation’s 250th anniversary. Their efforts continue through this busy election season by doing the vital work of supporting state and local election officials, building trust in elections, and bridging divides. Today marks National Constitution Day ([link removed]) and National Voter Registration Day ([link removed]) . Nonprofit VOTE ([link removed]) has resources and opportunities to get America registered and
ready to vote and Educating for American Democracy ([link removed]) has resources educators can use to get students interested in civics and U.S. history. In the rest of this month’s newsletter,
we highlight efforts to reduce toxic polarization, opportunities to participate in upcoming events on voter engagement, and more.

** Academy Hosts Event on Political Polarization and Political Violence
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On September 4, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences convened a discussion on political polarization and political violence in the United States. Rachel Kleinfeld (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) noted that while political violence has spiked at various times in American history, the recent rise in threats against election officials is unprecedented. Paige Alexander (Carter Center) spoke about the Carter Center’s efforts to combat election misinformation and prepare its network to respond rapidly to political violence after the election. Marty Smith (ABA Task Force on American Democracy) discussed how the ABA Task Force is mobilizing lawyers across the nation to defend constitutional democracy and the rule of law.

A point of emphasis was the importance of reassuring Americans that voting is safe: “Internationally and in the United States, we actually see very little violence on election day itself,” Rachel Kleinfeld said.

The event uplifted incredible organizations and initiatives that are combating political violence, bridging divides and strengthening democracy. Some of those include:
* The Carter Center – Democracy Program ([link removed])
* ABA Task Force for American Democracy ([link removed])
* Braver Angels ([link removed])
* Listen First Project | Depolarization Messaging ([link removed])
* Polarization Research Lab | Dashboard on political speech ([link removed])

** Stories From The Field
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** Campaign Legal Center: Who are Election Officials and Why are they Crucial to our Democracy?
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Campaign Legal Center (CLC) spoke with ([link removed]) Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt and Kent County, Michigan Clerk Lisa Lyons about the important role of election officials and poll workers, and the checks and balances in our system that ensure our elections are fair and accurate.

** FairVote Co-Hosts Webinar on 2024 Elections and the Path to Voting Reform.
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FairVote and the Electoral Reform Society‬ co-hosted a webinar discussion ([link removed]) between FairVote CEO Meredith Sumpter and Electoral Reform Society Chief Executive Darren Hughes on this year’s elections in the United Kingdom and the United States, what they tell us about the state of democracy in both countries, and the path forward for voting reform on both sides of the Atlantic.

** Civic Leaders Gather for National Civic Collaboratory Convening.
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The National Civic Collaboratory, an initiative created by Citizen University that brings together civic catalysts and nonprofit leaders to promote collaboration and mutual aid, held its latest convening ([link removed]) in Simi Valley, California.

** New Documentary Shows how Americans can Overcome Political Divides.
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“Undivide Us” ([link removed]) , a new documentary produced by Ben Klutsey, Executive Director of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and member of the Academy’s Working Group on Defining Civic Culture, delivers a hopeful message about people working together despite their political differences.

** In The News
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** Charlottesville, VA Adopts Ranked Choice Voting.
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Charlottesville, VA will begin using ranked choice voting ([link removed]) for its elections in 2025. OCP Champion FairVote tracks where ranked choice voting is used ([link removed]) .

** WaPo Opinion: A Recipe for Cooling Down American Politics.
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Writing in The Washington Post, University of Notre Dame Professor John Paul Lederach argues that each of us can contribute to reducing toxic polarization ([link removed]) by getting out of our bubbles and rehumanizing our political adversaries.

** Get Involved
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** Nonprofit VOTE Webinar: Democracy for All: Accessible and Inclusive Voter Engagement.
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Join a virtual webinar hosted by the Nonprofit VOTE to learn how to ensure voters of all languages, abilities, and backgrounds can hit the polls in November.
DATE: October 1, 2024 |2:00pm ET | Register Here ([link removed])

** Institute for Citizens & Scholars Launches Youth Civics Competition.
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The Institute for Citizens & Scholars launched a Youth Civic Solutions Competition ([link removed]) , which invites young people aged 14-24 across the United States to submit innovative ideas to strengthen civic knowledge, engagement, and trust during this pivotal election year.

** Apply: AmeriCorps Federal Grants Competition.
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AmeriCorp’s 2025 State and National Grants Competition ([link removed]) is now open for applications. State Service Commissions, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, local governments, and Native Nations who wish to host AmeriCorps members next summer are encouraged to apply by January 23, 2025.

** Participate in a Conversation with a Stranger who Holds Different Political Views.
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One Small Step ([link removed]) , an initiative of StoryCorps, brings strangers with different political views together to record 50-minute facilitated conversations—not to debate politics, but to learn more about who we are as people. To participate, apply to be matched ([link removed]) .

Want to have your event or opportunity featured in the next newsletter? Email us (mailto:[email protected]) !

** 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])

amacad.org: [link removed]
Members: [link removed]
Events: [link removed]

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