Across the democracy renovation space, an abundance of new reports, resources, events and developments emerged in April.

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Across the democracy renovation space, an abundance of new reports, resources, events and developments emerged in April. A statement ([link removed]) signed by over 500 college and university leaders calls for constructive engagement and an end to government overreach. Danielle Allen writes in The Atlantic ([link removed]) that universities need a new social contract with the American people, and Eric Liu reflects ([link removed]) on what it means to be a citizen. The Trust for Civic Life ([link removed]) and More in Common
([link removed]) each released new reports on the power of local connections, demonstrating how working together for a purpose
can help bridge divides. Almost one year out from the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, new resources, panels and attention to 2026 are starting to ramp up.

Finally, we introduce a new regular feature in this newsletter, highlighting federal, state and local legislative updates on OCP recommendations. New this month: federal legislation ([link removed]) to study enlarging the US House of Representatives and a roundup on the state of independent redistricting commissions.


** A Call for Constructive Engagement: A Statement from American College and University Leaders
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Over 500 college and university presidents joined a statement ([link removed]) released by the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) responding to “the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education.” The statement emerged from convenings ([link removed]) of leaders organized by the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and the AAC&U. Titled “A Call for Constructive Engagement,” it notes that higher education institutions “are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight” but “must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses.”


** America's 250th Anniversary
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We are only a little more than one year away from America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, and more states, localities, and organizations are scaling up their plans for the commemoration. Since its release in 2020, Our Common Purpose has recognized the 250th as a major moment for our constitutional democracy, providing Americans with the opportunity to reflect on the country’s past and share aspirations for the future. Many civil society organizations within the OCP network have been working to make this milestone engaging for all Americans. Learn more about the exemplary organizations leading this effort and the OCP guiding principles for the 250th here ([link removed]) .


** In The News
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** Danielle Allen: We Need a New Social Contract Between Universities and the American People.
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Writing in The Atlantic ([link removed]) , OCP Cochair Danielle Allen looks beyond the current threats posed by the Trump administration and offers a compelling vision for how the nation’s universities can protect democracy and themselves.


** Drew Penrose and Norman Ornstein: To Accommodate House Expansion, Congress Should Modernize its Infrastructure.
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Writing in The Washington Post ([link removed]) , OCP Commission Member Norman Ornstein and Protect Democracy Policy Strategist Drew Penrose, citing the Academy's report on Enlarging the House ([link removed]) , explain how reconfiguring the space and architecture around Capitol Hill can accomodate an increase in the size of the House.


** Steven Olikara: How to Talk about Politics without Fueling Division.
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Writing in USA Today ([link removed]) , OCP Commission Member Steven Olikara explains how all Americans can contribute to bridging divides by engaging in constructive conversations – not to win arguments, but to listen.


** Katherine J. Cramer and Jason Mangone: Addressing Class Divisions will Bring Americans Together.
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Writing in The Hill ([link removed]) , Katherine J. Cramer, Cochair of the Academy’s Commission on Reimagining the Economy, and Jason Mangone, Executive Director, US at OCP Champion More in Common, describe how cross-class connections have declined in recent decades and argue that fostering economic connectedness is vital for upward mobility and building common purpose.


** Global Lessons for Defending Democracy at Home.
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Writing in Good Authority ([link removed]) , Jennifer McCoy, Rachel Beatty Riedl, Kenneth Roberts, and Murat Somer summarize lessons on countering threats to democracy from a global study of 15 countries.


** Stories From The Field
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** AEI Webinar: Is American Civic Culture the Source of Our Challenges?
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On April 23, American Enterprise Institute hosted a thought-provoking conversation on the importance of civic culture to our democracy and what it will take to renew civic culture. You can watch the full recording and read the event summary here ([link removed]) .


** Eric Liu: What Does it Mean to Live like a Citizen?
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In a new post ([link removed]) , Eric Liu shares reflections on what it means to be a citizen and what responsibility citizens owe to their country in this moment.


** Trust for Civic Life Report: The Case for Prioritizing Local Civic Engagement.
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The Trust for Civic Life published new research ([link removed]) based on survey results from hundreds of community leaders that offers a glimpse at what is possible if greater funding goes into fueling local, action-based civic opportunities.


** Made by US SXSW Panel on Intergenerational Collaboration.
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A panel discussion ([link removed]) hosted by Made by Us at the SXSW 2025 conference in Austin, Texas examined the generational divide in America and offered insights on how intergenerational collaboration can strengthen democracy.


** America's Bridge-Building Movement in 2025.
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Civic Health Project and Listen First Project released a white paper ([link removed]) that examines the state of the bridge-building field in 2025.


** Civity Research Reveals key Ingredient in Healthy Communities.
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New research ([link removed]) published by Civity finds that communities thrive when people in different groups and sub-communities are connected in positive ways.


** Protect Democracy: Toolkits for Religious Community to Counter Authoritarianism.
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Protect Democracy released new toolkits ([link removed]) drawing on the expertise of religious leaders to help religious communities take action to protect vulnerable groups and push back against authoritarianism.


** Unite America Report: Most Americans' Votes Don't Matter in Deciding Elections.
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New research ([link removed]) from Unite America exposes the crisis of competition in U.S. elections and highlights open primaries as a solution.


** Campaign Legal Center Documents Threats to Voting.
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Campaign Legal Center explains ([link removed]) some of the ways the freedom to vote is currently being threatened across the country and outlines steps that the pro-democracy community can take to ensure all voters can access the ballot box.


** Brennan Center: Preparation Kept Bomb Threats from Disrupting the 2024 Elections.
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New research ([link removed]) from the Brennan Center examines how advanced coordination between law enforcement and election officials allowed for a smooth Election Day, despite hundreds of threats.


** Service Year Alliance Responds to AmeriCorps Cuts.
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In response to staff reductions at AmeriCorps, the federal agency responsible for national service and volunteerism, Service Year Alliance released a statement ([link removed]) articulating the critical benefits that the agency provides.


** Legislative Updates
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** Federal Update: Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) Introduces Legislation to Study Expanding the size of the House.
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U.S. Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) introduced the House Expansion Commission Act ([link removed]) (HR 2797), a bill that would establish a commission to study ([link removed]) expanding the number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. U.S. Representative Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-5) is a bill co-sponsor.


** State and Local Updates: The Status of Independent Citizen-Redistricting Commissions.
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The Our Common Purpose report calls on all 50 states to create independent citizen-redistricting commissions to combat the rise of partisan gerrymandering. To date, 7 states – Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, and Washington State – have established independent citizen-redistricting commissions that are responsible for drawing boundaries of electoral districts.

Recent attempts to expand the roster of states with independent commissions have met with mixed success. In 2024 confusing ballot language led Ohio voters to reject a proposed constitutional amendment (Issue 1 ([link removed]) ) that would have established a citizen-led redistricting commission, but there is current legislative activity on this issue in at least two states, Texas (HB 5316 ([link removed]) ) and West Virginia (HB 2089 ([link removed]) ). Learn more about the status of all these efforts here ([link removed]) .


** Get Involved
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** Decoding Democracy: Do Your Rights Depend on Where you Live?
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Public Agenda will host a discussion with leading voices in democracy and research to explore how where you live can affect your access to the ballot box.

DATE: May 6, 2025 | 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET | Register Here ([link removed])


** Apply: BKC-Allen Lab Fellowship.
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The Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation and the Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society (BKC) seek a Fellow ([link removed]) for the 2025-2026 Academic Year to work closely with the Allen Lab’s research program on technology and democracy and with the Berkman Klein Center’s growing slate of research projects centered around the public interest.


** Apply: GenUnity Changemaker Fellowship.
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Are you passionate about tackling inequities in Boston’s healthcare, environmental and housing systems? Apply to join GenUnity’s Fall ‘25 - Spring ‘26 fellowship program ([link removed]) on Health Equity, and Environmental and Housing Justice.


** Save the Date: National Civic League Democracy Innovation Workshop.
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Join other democracy reformers at National Civic League’s annual Democracy Innovations Workshop ([link removed]) on June 27 in Denver, Colorado to learn how to communicate the benefits of better democracy, evaluate your local democracy efforts, identify tools to help engage residents, and develop long-term plans for strengthening democracy and civic health.

DATE: June 27, 2025 | Denver, Colorado | Register Here ([link removed])


** Save the Date: Election Hero Day 2025.
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The sixth annual Election Hero Day will take place on Monday, November 3, 2025. Learn ([link removed]) how you can honor election officials, clerks, directors, office staff, poll workers, and volunteers across the nation who work tirelessly so Americans have the freedom and ability to elect our leaders and representatives.

** 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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Members: [link removed]

Events: [link removed]

Give: [link removed]

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