As we approach the holiday season, we want to express our immense gratitude to all of you who work to build a stronger American democracy. Whether you are working to create more responsive political institutions or strengthen civic life in local communities, we are honored to be on this journey with you.

[link removed]

** A Note of Thanks
------------------------------------------------------------
As we approach the holiday season, we want to express our immense gratitude to all of you who work to build a stronger American democracy. Whether you are working to create more responsive political institutions or strengthen civic life in local communities, we are honored to be on this journey with you. While national news narratives can feel all-consuming, renovation is underway: cross-ideological coalitions of civic leaders across the nation are making our institutions work better, investing in shared spaces, reviving local news, bridging divides, and promoting civic participation. We will continue to amplify these stories of hope. For now, thank you for your continued support of this work and we wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. [link removed]

** Legislative Updates
------------------------------------------------------------
** Federal and State Legislative Update: Proportional Representation.
------------------------------------------------------------
A new report by the Academy’s Electoral Design Working Group, Expanding Representation: Reinventing Congress for the 21st Century, ([link removed]) recommends moving from a winner-take-all U.S. election system to a system where elected seats in the U.S. House of Representatives reflect the share of votes received. The report’s authors argue that the “winner-take-all” system used in most U.S. elections—where only the top vote-getter earns a seat—contributes to polarization, disengagement, and a lack of meaningful competition. By contrast, proportional systems allow more voters to see their preferences reflected in Congress, can reduce partisan divides, and virtually eliminate gerrymandering. Congress is currently considering legislation related to proportional representation.

The Fair Representation Act ([link removed]) was re-introduced in July 2025. This legislation would move away from the current "winner-take-all" approach, and put in place a proportional system states with a sufficient number of representatives. The bill is currently being considered by the U.S. House Administration and Judiciary Committees. In addition, the Select Committee on Electoral Reform Act ([link removed]) would establish a bipartisan select committee to consider alternative methods for electing members of Congress, The Academy will continue to monitor progress on these proposals. You can read more about legislative progress here and order copies of the Academy’s new publication
[link removed]

** America250
------------------------------------------------------------
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary in 2026, we will feature reflections on the anniversary and stories about how states, cities, towns, and cultural organizations are commemorating the occasion.

** Atlantic Special Edition: The Unfinished Revolution.
------------------------------------------------------------
A recent special edition of The Atlantic, The Unfinished Revolution ([link removed]) , examines the founding of the United States and brings the nation’s history to bear on its present – and its future.

** Jill Lepore: What was the American Revolution for?
------------------------------------------------------------
Writing in The New Yorker Magazine ([link removed]) , Academy Member Jill Lepore describes the hurdles facing museums and other institutions – including OCP champions iCivics, Made by Us, and More in Common – that are launching exhibits and activities for the 250th Dr. Lepore argues that we must use the 250th to wrestle with the meaning of the American Revolution and the principles on which the nation was founded.

** Stories from the Field
------------------------------------------------------------
** 2025 Election Roundup: OCP Highlights.
------------------------------------------------------------
OCP Champions offered reflections on Election Day 2025:
* FairVote’s ([link removed]) Meredith Sumpter recapped how Ranked Choice Voting fared in ballot measures across the country.
* Nonprofit Vote’s ([link removed]) Kelsea Marie Pym highlighted five takeaways from this year’s elections, including the power of local issues to drive voter turnout.
* ActiVote’s ([link removed]) Sara Gifford argued this year's elections reinforced that local governments are where democracy is most tangible and most personal.
* Voters in Fort Collins, Colorado chose to uphold a civic assembly’s recommendations to convert a former stadium site into a protected natural area. OCP Champions Healthy Democracy and New America explain ([link removed]) how this outcome marks a powerful moment in American local governance in which residents not only participated in a new model of democratic deliberation but then collectively validated its results at the ballot box.

** Everyday Democracy Recording: GenZ and the Future of Democracy.
------------------------------------------------------------
On November 14, OCP Champion Everyday Democracy hosted Doing Democracy: Gen Z and the Future of Democracy ([link removed]) , a virtual conversation with Merle McGee (Everyday Democracy), Zoe Jenkins (Civics Unplugged), and Hannah Botts (Campus Compact) about the challenges and opportunities shaping Gen Z’s role in democracy.

** CivXNow Report Highlights Civic Consequences of AI.
------------------------------------------------------------
OCP Champion CivXNow released a new report, States of the Union: Rebuilding American Civics for a Digital Republic ([link removed]) , that invites policymakers and civic practitioners to consider the civic implications of artificial intelligence and how it will impact the next generation.

** Institute for Citizens & Scholars Survey Results: How GenZ is Reimagining Civic Action.
------------------------------------------------------------
Gen Z Civic Vibe Check ([link removed]) , the latest national survey from OCP Champion Institute for Citizens & Scholars, revealed that nine out of ten young people indicate they care deeply about and feel responsible for their community, among other notable findings.

** Service Year Alliance: First Cohort of States Join New State Service Program.
------------------------------------------------------------
OCP Champion Service Year Alliance selected California, Colorado, Kentucky and New York as the first cohort of states to receive support from the Center for State Service Innovation ([link removed]) . Launched in September 2025 by SYA with philanthropic backing from Carnegie Corporation of New York and Einhorn Collaborative, the Center for State Service works with state leaders to unlock non-federal resources to expand state-based service year programs.

** Civity Podcast: The Critical Role of Civic Spaces in Connecting us Across Difference.
------------------------------------------------------------
In the latest episode of This is Civity ([link removed]) , Malka Kopell and Palma Strand talk with Seth Pinsky, CEO of the 92nd St. Y in New York, about convening people across difference.

** Democracy 2076 Report Examines How Political Coalitions are Changing.
------------------------------------------------------------
A new report ([link removed]) from Democracy 2076, based on a comprehensive synthesis of over 100 research papers, expert interviews, and surveys, identifies 17 new axes of political polarization that transcend the traditional left-right divide.

** How the Arts are Strengthening Civic Engagement.
------------------------------------------------------------
A new Substack channel ([link removed]) from The Horizons Project highlights inspiring local initiatives that harness the power of the arts to promote civic conversations.

** In the News
------------------------------------------------------------
** New Book Explores the Fight for American Democracy on College Campuses.
------------------------------------------------------------
Youth Voting Rights ([link removed]) , a new book by Yael Bromberg (American University Washington College of Law) and Jonathan Becker (Bard College), draws on four case studies to explore how college communities have historically been at the forefront of securing young people’s access to the ballot box and mobilizing youth civic participation. Writing about the book in The Nation ([link removed]) , the authors call on students, faculty, and administrators to band together to fight for foundational democratic rights.

** Karen Bass: The Future of the Democratic Party is Local.
------------------------------------------------------------
Writing in Time ([link removed]) , Karen Bass, the 43rd Mayor of Los Angeles, argues that local solutions to local problems have never mattered more.

** Chronicle of Philanthropy: Want a Healthy Democracy? Support Local Leaders.
------------------------------------------------------------
Na Eng, Chief Creative Officer at People for the American Way Foundation, calls on philanthropy ([link removed]) to pay more attention to local leaders who are battling multiple crises created by federal actions.

** Anchorage to Experiment with Internet Voting in Local Elections.
------------------------------------------------------------
Anchorage, Alaska ([link removed]) will allow voters to cast ballots from their smartphones for municipal races in April. The trial run, the first of its scale in the nation, could offer a blueprint for expanded use in future elections beyond Alaska.

** Ken Burns' 'The American Revolution' Explores the Beginnings of the Nation's Democracy.
------------------------------------------------------------
"The American Revolution," ([link removed]) the latest work from filmmaker Ken Burns, launched this month on PBS. The six-part, 12-hour documentary explores the history of the war of independence from Britain and the beginnings of the American experiment in democracy.

** Get Involved
------------------------------------------------------------
** Call for Nominations: New Pluralists Breakthrough Fund.
------------------------------------------------------------
New Pluralists is seeking nominations for its 2026 Breakthrough Fund ([link removed]) , a $5 million investment in initiatives that are bringing together unlikely allies across class divides to improve people’s lives and communities. Nominate a project by December 19.

** Keseb Launches Open Call for Inaugural Democracy Innovation Lab Program.
------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed], a nonpartisan, pro-democracy nonprofit organization, seeks to select and support 10 innovative community-building solutions that aim to foster cross-group belonging in diverse societies. Submit a pitch or nominate a project ([link removed]) by January 16.


** Read the Report
------------------------------------------------------------
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])
[link removed]

American Academy: [link removed]
Members: [link removed]
Events: [link removed]
Give: [link removed]
The Academy shares news and events on LinkedIn. [link removed]

American Academy of Arts and Sciences
136 Irving Street
Cambridge, MA 02138

Update Email Preferences: [link removed]