Since Our Common Purpose was published in 2020, over 75 organizations have pledged 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 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. 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. 

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 

• ABA Task Force for American Democracy 

• Braver Angels 

• Listen First Project | Depolarization Messaging 

• Polarization Research Lab | Dashboard on political speech 

FairVote and the Electoral Reform Society‬ co-hosted a webinar discussion 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.

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 in Simi Valley, California.

“Undivide Us”, 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.

Charlottesville, VA will begin using ranked choice voting for its elections in 2025. OCP Champion FairVote tracks where ranked choice voting is used.

Writing in The Washington Post, University of Notre Dame Professor John Paul Lederach argues that each of us can contribute to reducing toxic polarization by getting out of our bubbles and rehumanizing our political adversaries.

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 

The Institute for Citizens & Scholars launched a Youth Civic Solutions Competition, 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.

AmeriCorp’s 2025 State and National Grants Competition 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. 

One Small Step, 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.

Want to have your event or opportunity featured in the next newsletter? Email us!