Voting & Democracy

Principles and Criteria

To be a democracy assumes having a set of principles and policies that guide how we hold elections and vote. Ideally these should be shared as a nation, not vary from state to state.

Principles for Democratic Elections

Election policies that give all eligible voters an equal opportunity to register and vote, and have their votes count.
Majority rule balanced by minority rights
The political competition and voter choice necessary so that outcomes do not appear to be rigged.
Shared policies that reflect these principles embedded in our Constitution and statues.

The following cards feature ten time-tested election policies already in use in many states that should be standard for every state.

Five policies that promote full access to the vote. Policies that make it easier, not harder, to register and vote.
Five policies that contribute to an equal and meaningful vote. Voting methods that also help reduce political polarization and build the trust in government and elections necessary to make democracy work.

These 10 policies are highlighted because they are:

Already used and tested and proven effective across many states and localities.
Popular with majority support from voters, wherever they are used.

Access to the Vote

Same Day Registration

Allow voters to register or fix a problem with their registration when they vote.

Automatic Voter Registration

Automaticaly register people to vote or update their registration at motor vehicles and other government agencies.

Mail Ballots & Early Voting In Person

Make it easy to receive and return a mail ballot and to vote early in person.

Restore Voting Rights for People with Past Convictions

Restore the vote for all persons released from prison, including those out on probation or parole.

Nonpartisan Election Administration

Ensure a nonpartisan and impartial process to run elections and count the votes.

Ranked Choice Voting

Ensure election winners have majority support. Give voters more choice. Allow more than two candidates to run without fear of splitting the vote.

Nonpartisan Redistricting

Create nonpartisan, independent redistricting commissions, or other methods with fair redistricting criteria to prevent partisan or racial gerrymandering.

Open Primaries and Reform

Allow all voters to vote in the primary that determines who is on the ballot for the general election in an open or nonpartisan primary.

Replace or Modify the Electoral College

Move to a national popular vote or consider dividing each state’s electors on a proportional basis.

Campaign Finance Reform

Adopt small donor-driven, public funding of elections. Require full disclosure of all donations and outside expenditures not currently disclosed.