It’s time to hit our “political asteriod”



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Hi Friend,



What does NASA’s recent DART Mission
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and the election reform movement have in common? They both have the momentum
to change the trajectory of powerful entities. And, if they meet their targets
correctly, they could alter the course of history.



In case you missed it, the goal of the DART spacecraft was to hit and
subsequently shift a sizable asteroid — that posed no threat to Earth,
thankfully — off its path.Scientists have suggested that a mission such as this
one could one day serve to protect us from a direct asteroid hit.
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Our current primary election system has its own kind of astronomical
consequences: it limits voters’ choices and voices, which breeds worsening
political dysfunction and dangerous social unrest. If our system is left on its
current trajectory, it could lead to catastrophic outcomes for our nation.



So, while we haven’t quite hit our “political asteroid” just yet, here are
three things to think about this week to change the current trajectory of our
democracy:





(Some of) Congress is working to prevent a repeat of January 6th with the
passing of the Election Reform Act
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The January 6, 2021, insurrection of the U.S. Capitol is a defining moment in
U.S. history — an event that left the future of our nation and our elections on
the brink of uncertainty. The events of that day put the political dysfunction
and need for election reform in the limelight for the rest of the nation to see
— the insidious outcomes of thePrimary Problem playing out before our eyes
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calls on Congress to take action from reform advocates, a group of bipartisan
lawmakers worked together to bring theElection Reform Act
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to the floor, which passed the House this week after being introduced by Rep.
Liz Cheney of Wyoming (R) and Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D) of California. (Over in the
Senate, another bipartisan working group has produced its own draft, increasing
the possibility that the legislation will ultimately be enacted.
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)



This is tangible progress that Unite America actively supports alongside our
allies atIssue One
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,Bipartisan Policy Center,
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among others. And while, in a way, it’s symptom relief as the cause of the
country’s political and social animosity run deeper and more is required for
lasting change, this progress demonstrates the power of what we can accomplish
when lawmakers put country before party. Defending the integrity of our
elections in the short-term is imperative if we’re going to renew and reform
democracy in the long run.





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The intersection of philanthropy and political reform is a recipe for success
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This week, Laura Arnold, co-chair and co-founder of Arnold Ventures, joined
Evan Smith, the CEO and co-founder of the Texas Tribune, to discuss her
perspectives on how philanthropic investment can maximize opportunity, minimize
injustice, and support meaningful political reform.



A growing sector of political philanthropy is a necessary catalyst to reform
our primary system, and it is through the nonpartisan commitment of financial
resources to organizations, campaigns, and candidates working within our
political system that we will foster a more representative and functional
government.Learn how this is already happening, thanks to people like Laura
Arnold, by listening to her interview with Evan Smith here
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Understanding elections just got a whole lot easier
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We get it — understanding how our elections work can be incredibly difficult
and, at times, completely overwhelming. But thanks to our partners atIssue One
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more accessible. This week, Issue One published a new digital guide on
elections,“Faces of Democracy: How Our Elections Work and the Challenges Ahead
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,” which explains how U.S. elections work, what makes them free and fair, and
the challenges that election administrators face in doing their work. So, if
you’re feeling overwhelmed by the election process and the threats to it, we
highly suggest checking out theirdigital guide
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— and better yet, sharing it with your friends!



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In closing, our thoughts are with Floridians as they weather the effects of
the Hurricane Ian this week — stay safe and well.




Alana
__
Alana Persson
Unite America

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