In recent election years, the democracy funding community has given at unprecedented levels, and largely succeeded in averting the worst potential outcomes for the health of American democracy. And yet, as we begin the 2024 election year, it appears that American democracy is once again facing a number of urgent and existential threats. But at the same time, we know that in order for liberal democracy to be sustained over the long term, we need to think beyond election cycles and address the root causes of our democratic degradation.

Available by request directly from our team, DFN’s recently released election-year giving guide paints a broad picture of the major lanes for funders who would like to make strategic investments to get our democracy through this critical election year. Within each lane, it also outlines some key ideas for funders to understand and some of the core organizations or initiatives in need of support.

Join DFN for a conversation among funders about their investment strategies in this critical year and learn how your peers are navigating the landscape. How are funders weighing risks and opportunities? How are they balancing short- and long-term needs? Are funders doubling down on existing strategies and investments, or adding new work to their portfolios? With the recent All by April call for philanthropy to move election-related giving by April, how are funders navigating their timelines for getting money out the door? And finally, with no shortage of election-related giving options, how does one ultimately make choices about where to invest?

REGISTER HERE>

(*Note: This session is not a 501(c)(3) friendly conversation.*)

Election season is upon us. Although we know we need to cultivate a long-term agenda for democracy that thinks well beyond election cycles, we are approaching another election where the stakes for democracy could be dire, possibly irreversibly so. The Republican Party and mainstream conservatism in the U.S. have been largely captured by the far-right autocratic movement, and the former president at the center of that capture appears to have a viable path to another term. In order for right-wing extremism to recede in the U.S., it will need to suffer consistent electoral defeat, which will require strategic and sustained opposition from a broad pro-democracy coalition from left to right. Electoral success will also require new strategies that help both major political parties speak to key constituencies who may feel disillusioned or abandoned by the parties as they have been operating. Join us for this Winning Coalition series, in which you will hear from 4 high-performing groups across the political spectrum working in creative ways to ensure that democracy wins at the ballot box in 2024 and long-term.

Briefings:

• December 12, 11am-12pm PT/2-3pm ET: Welcome Party

• January 9, 9:30-10:30am PT/12:30-1:30pm ET: Republican Accountability Project

This Eventbrite date is only set to the third session on December 12. If you sign up for the series, you will receive Google calendar invites for the third and fourth sessions. Please try to let us know if you are not able to make one of the sessions. Password-protected recordings (including the first and second sessions, with The Rural West Project and Mormon Women for Ethical Government) will be available for a limited time to series registrants who need to miss an individual session. Because we will be discussing electoral politics, no session will be 501(c)(3)-friendly.

REGISTER HERE>

Whether they are elected, appointed, or career civil servants, the people who make up our local-, state-, and federal-level institutions make a considerable impact on representation and trust in government. We entrust these individuals to make our government more effective, responsive, and accountable to the diverse constituencies they serve. Yet all too often these officials do not share the identities or lived experiences of the communities they represent. This includes gender, race, and ethnicity as much as it does education level, geography, and class. Political distrust is intertwined with failure of representation; people’s trust in government actors goes down when they perceive that those actors do not share their values and interests.

While the federal workforce as a whole is actually about as racially diverse as the U.S. population, people of color are underrepresented in senior-level positions in the federal government. Women are over 50% of the U.S. population yet only around 30% of local, state, and federal elected officials. In the U.S. Senate alone, there are three times more men named John than there are moms of minor children, and Diane Feinstein’s replacement Laphonza Butler will be only the third Black female Senator ever. Some identities are even less well represented in government, including individuals living with disabilities or who are LGBTQ, making up only 10% and .2% of elected officials at the local, state or federal level respectively.

Structural and institutional barriers perpetuate existing inequities and make it harder for underrepresented groups like women and people of color to get into and stay in government service, leaving decision-making tables devoid of their critical perspectives. What are philanthropy and civil society doing to impact representation in government at the state and federal levels? How can structural reforms that address everything from campaign funding rules to electoral systems make an impact on representation? How can philanthropy transcend the distractions of “identity politics” controversies, and instead reframe diversity in government as a nonpartisan democracy issue?

Featured Speakers:

• George Cheung, More Equitable Democracy

• Liuba Grechen Shirley, Vote Mama Foundation

• Larissa Martinez, Women’s Public Leadership Network

• Jenny Mattingley, Partnership for Public Service

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Election season is upon us. Although we know we need to cultivate a long-term agenda for democracy that thinks well beyond election cycles, we are approaching another election where the stakes for democracy could be dire, possibly irreversibly so. The Republican Party and mainstream conservatism in the U.S. have been largely captured by the far-right autocratic movement, and the former president at the center of that capture appears to have a viable path to another term. In order for right-wing extremism to recede in the U.S., it will need to suffer consistent electoral defeat, which will require strategic and sustained opposition from a broad pro-democracy coalition from left to right. Electoral success will also require new strategies that help both major political parties speak to key constituencies who may feel disillusioned or abandoned by the parties as they have been operating. Join us for this Winning Coalition series, in which you will hear from 4 high-performing groups across the political spectrum working in creative ways to ensure that democracy wins at the ballot box in 2024 and long-term.

Note: If you sign up for the series, you will receive calendar invites for each session. Please try to let us know if you are not able to make one of the sessions. Password-protected recordings will be available for a limited time to series registrants who need to miss an individual session. Because we will be discussing electoral politics, no session will be 501(c)(3)-friendly.

REGISTER HERE>

Election season is upon us. Although we know we need to cultivate a long-term agenda for democracy that thinks well beyond election cycles, we are approaching another election where the stakes for democracy could be dire, possibly irreversibly so. The Republican Party and mainstream conservatism in the U.S. have been largely captured by the far-right autocratic movement, and the former president at the center of that capture appears to have a viable path to another term. In order for right-wing extremism to recede in the U.S., it will need to suffer consistent electoral defeat, which will require strategic and sustained opposition from a broad pro-democracy coalition from left to right. Electoral success will also require new strategies that help both major political parties speak to key constituencies who may feel disillusioned or abandoned by the parties as they have been operating. Join us for this Winning Coalition series, in which you will hear from 4 high-performing groups across the political spectrum working in creative ways to ensure that democracy wins at the ballot box in 2024 and long-term.

Note: If you sign up for the series, you will receive calendar invites for each session. Please try to let us know if you are not able to make one of the sessions. Password-protected recordings will be available for a limited time to series registrants who need to miss an individual session. Because we will be discussing electoral politics, no session will be 501(c)(3)-friendly.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER HERE>

We hope you can join us for this special discussion on Friday, Sept. 15—Democracy Day—that will highlight efforts in philanthropy to support election reporting.

In partnership with Media Impact Funders, Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE), Democracy Funders Network (DFN) and Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation (FCCP), Democracy Fund will hold a one-hour virtual briefing on the intersection of democracy, elections, and journalism.

Earlier this year, Democracy Fund hosted listening sessions with a wide cross-section of journalism and elections grantees and partners. The goal was to hear directly from the field about the threats and opportunities for local and community journalism anticipated in upcoming and future election cycles. The result was powerful messages about what’s at stake in 2024 and how philanthropy can support. 

In this virtual meeting, the team will unpack major themes and takeaways with newsroom leaders, and encourage a dialogue with funders who are engaged in democracy, civic participation and have an interest in building capacity for journalism in and beyond election cycles.

Featuring:

• Dana Coester, Editor In Chief, 100 Days in Appalachia, and Professor, West Virginia University Reed College of Media

• Angelica Das, Associate Director, Public Square Program, Democracy Fund (moderator)

• Jin Ding, Chief of Staff and Operations, Center for Public Integrity

• Shaun Griswold, Editor, Source New Mexico

This member briefing is organized in partnership with Democracy Fund and co-hosted with PACE, DFN and FCCP.

Democracy Fund is an independent and nonpartisan, private foundation that confronts deep-rooted challenges in American democracy while defending against new threats. Since 2014, we have made grants of more than $275 million in support of those working to strengthen our democracy through the pursuit of a vibrant and diverse public square, free and fair elections, effective and accountable government, and a just and inclusive society.

Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE) is a member-centric philanthropic laboratory for funders seeking to maximize their impact on democracy and civic life in the United States. Our members share a belief that America will be healthier and more successful, resilient, and productive, if democracy is strong and the office of citizen is treated as central to how it functions. We believe that American democracy will thrive when all of its people are informed and engaged in the process of creating it.

The Democracy Funders Network (DFN) is a community for donors who want to learn together, build and strengthen relationships, and ultimately identify opportunities for coordination and collaboration. We convene and connect funders, curate programs, develop informational materials, and advise donors on their democracy investments. DFN serves new and existing funders in the democracy field.

The Funders’ Committee for Civic Participation (FCCP) is an innovative and thought-provoking network that shares an underlying conviction that all people deserve a voice in the democratic process. We serve leaders in the philanthropic community working to further this vision with heightened attention to sociopolitical inequity and the systemic disenfranchisement of underrepresented communities. FCCP values transparency, encourages a diversity of opinion, bases our work on sound research, and encourages experimentation to improve impact.

REGISTER HERE>

Led by Thessalia Merivaki and Mara Suttmann-Lea, based on their research under the Learning from Elections project, and hosted by the MIT Election Data + Science Lab.

This webinar brings together researchers, election officials, and organizations dedicated to supporting the work of election officials for a series of panels reflecting on lessons learned about voter education and outreach during the 2022 midterm election cycle. 

Panels will feature an analysis of trust-building practices used by election officials during the election cycle, a discussion with select officials about their experiences using social media for voter outreach, and spotlight resources available for officials to develop, share, and learn from one another’s communication practices.

REGISTER HERE>

About this program:

Free and fair elections are a key part of America’s democratic processes, and in recent years, our ability to administer them is under threat. In the past few years, dozens of states have passed laws making it harder to vote. Voting rights organizations have challenged these laws  and other threats to democratic elections, and many of those cases are now making their way through the court systems. 

BADF will be joined by Trevor Potter, President of the Campaign Legal Center (CLC) to explore key questions about the election law landscape: What are the biggest potential changes to election laws making their way through legislatures and the courts this year? What trends in election law are promising for democracy, and what are some of the biggest threats? How do national organizations like CLC work alongside local and state players in the election reform and voting spaces? And what strategies are most critical to ensuring every eligible voter can meaningfully participate in democratic processes?

As with all BADF happy hours, there will be plenty of time for conversation with both our speaker and with your fellow funders. We hope to see you there!

Covid Safety:

This event will be hosted outdoors. We request that all attendees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About Campaign Legal Center:

Campaign Legal Center (CLC) is a nonpartisan organization that advocates for every eligible voter to meaningfully participate in the democratic process. Focusing on campaign finance, ethics, redistricting, and voting & elections, CLC uses tactics including litigation, policy advocacy, partnerships, and communications to make systemic impact at all levels of government.

REGISTER HERE>

About this event:

The 2022 midterm elections saw the second highest ever turnout of young voters, with 27% of eligible voters between the ages of 18-29 casting a ballot. Research has also shown that not only was this a banner year for youth participation in our civic process, but that young people were especially motivated to participate in key states like Georgia, Michigan and North Carolina, where youth turnout reached 31%. 

While these recent gains in 2022 are well worth celebrating, there are still inequities in youth political engagement. Addressing these gaps and finding ways to bring young people to the table is a critical piece of strengthening our democracy, now and in the future - and BADF’s guest for this happy hour, NextGen Education Fund, is dedicated to empowering and motivating young people to engage with our democracy.

NextGen Education Fund reaches youth across the country using innovative digital, field, and distributed organizing strategies, and will share key takeaways from their work in 2022. Victoria Yang, Vice President of Development at NextGen, will lead us in discussion of some key questions around youth civic engagement, including: What are some of the biggest wins and ongoing challenges around youth engagement in democratic processes? What messages, messengers, and strategies are most successful in reaching young voters? What are effective models for partnership between national organizations like NextGen and state and local organizers?

As with all BADF happy hours, there will be plenty of time for conversation with both our speakers and with your fellow funders. We hope to see you there!

Covid Safety:

This event will be hosted outdoors. We request that all attendees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About NextGen Education Fund: 

NextGen Education Fund (NextGen) is one of the nation’s largest youth civic engagement organizations, educating and empowering millions of young people to elevate their voices in our country’s democratic process. They are a multi-issue and multi-racial organization that educates and empowers young people to transform our country and solve the challenges earlier generations have failed to address, including our historical failings around equity and racial justice.

In 2022, NextGen targeted 17.3 million youth in eight key states: Arizona, Nevada, Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, and North Carolina. They ran the largest youth vote program in the country. Their work ensured young people were a major headline of the 2022 midterms, and has largely been acknowledged as the key ingredient to upholding our democracy. 

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Join Voting Rights Lab and Democracy Funders Network for an *urgent* briefing on March 22 at 12:00 PM ET/ 9:00 AM PT with David Becker, Executive Director and Founder at the Center for Election Innovation & Research.

This past week, Secretaries of State in Florida, Missouri, West Virginia, precipitously withdrew from ERIC, a reliable and essential national system for maintaining accurate and comprehensive voter rolls. Among others, Ohio and Texas are also considering leaving ERIC.

David and Megan will be sounding the alarm on what this could mean for the administration of the 2024 elections.

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Join DFN members in conversation with Rachel Kleinfeld on her new report, Five Strategies to Support U.S. Democracy.

The decline of American democracy is a complex challenge with numerous causes. Crafting philanthropic strategies to address this challenge is therefore an immensely difficult undertaking. This is especially true given the severity of near-term threats and the need to develop strategies that look beyond the next few election cycles to fundamentally change the trajectory of American democracy.

Rachel Kleinfeld, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Senior Advisor to the Democracy Funders Network, has published a new paper, Five Strategies to Support U.S. Democracy, that offers one of the most comprehensive explorations of the kinds of strategies that can achieve our objective of revitalizing American democracy for the century to come. Even as we approach a critical mid-term election, we hope you’ll join Rachel in conversation with DFN members to discuss what we’ll need to do in the days, months, and years after this election to keep our democracy alive.

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We invite you to join the Roadmap for American Democracy Action in a webinar on July 28th at 2PM focused on urgent efforts to expand and protect voting rights at the ballot box. Come discuss how we can make a real difference in protecting voters’ right to cast their ballots.

States and cities across the country have changed the rules that govern elections in ways that make voting more intimidating, challenging, or potentially outright impossible for eligible citizens – especially citizens of color and young people.

At a moment when there are rampant efforts to limit voters’ rights, ensuring that voters can cast their ballots is one of the most potent forces for protecting democracy. To guarantee voters can cast their ballots freely, elections must be governed by fair rules and administered by nonpartisan officials.

We will highlight the measures that organizations are taking to protect democracy immediately, including ballot measures underway in Arizona and Michigan as well as recruitment of nonpartisan election workers.

Speakers will include leadership from Promote the Vote, working on the first ever effort to enshrine in Michigan’s state constitution protections for the fundamental right to vote and providing for safe, secure and fair elections; Arizonans for Fair Elections, organizing for a critical ballot measure in Arizona that would remove barriers to voting, make the vote-by-mail list permanent again, reduce the influence of money on our elections, and bar legislators from overriding election results; and additional organizations.

To succeed, this work requires time-sensitive support now, for this election (and beyond), and speakers will provide details from the ground on the realities of the field.

This webinar will reflect c4 organizations working on pro-democracy efforts.

This event is being co-hosted by the Pro-Democracy Campaign.

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Join TMC CEO Julia Barnes and special guests for a briefing on TMC's plans to build and maintain critical shared infrastructure to facilitate effective Vote-By-Mail (VBM) programs in this crucial year. Featuring contributions by:

• Samantha Conyers, Advisor on Vote By Mail, The Movement Cooperative

• Emma Einhorn, Director of Strategic Initiatives, MoveOn

• John Malloy, Vice President of Data Systems & Analytics, Voter Participation Center

• Alex Niemczewski, CEO, BallotReady

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Carnegie Corporation of New York, The Rockefeller Brothers Fund, and Philanthropy New York invite you to a discussion with E.J. Dionne, Miles Rapoport, and Heather McGhee, co-authors and foreword-writer of the new book 100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting.

The book Uncoun­ted exam­ines the phenomenon of disen­fran­chise­ment through the lens of history, race, law, and the demo­cratic process. Author Gilda R. Daniels, who served as a deputy chief in the Justice Depart­ment’s Civil Rights Divi­sion and has more than two decades of voting rights exper­i­ence, argues that voter suppres­sion works in cycles, constantly adapt­ing and find­ing new ways to hinder access for an expo­nen­tially grow­ing minor­ity popu­la­tion. She warns that a premed­it­ated strategy of restrict­ive laws and decept­ive prac­tices has taken root and is erod­ing the very basis of Amer­ican demo­cracy ― the right to vote.

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Since the unsuccessful attempts to undermine the election certification process in 2020 into 2021, the threat of election sabotage by actors involved in certifying or administering elections has only deepened. The “Stop the Steal” movement is galvanizing unprecedented attention (and funding) into races for state and local offices involved in election administration. Meanwhile, many of the state and federal representatives in positions to facilitate – or prevent – future efforts at election sabotage are up for reelection this year.

In this program, funders will get a chance to unpack the kinds of things that could make us more (or less) vulnerable to election sabotage in 2024. What – for example – can an election official set on uncovering fraud actually do to undermine the vote counting and certification process? What opportunities are there to influence the likelihood of pro-democracy legislative majorities that will defend election legitimacy and resist future iterations of the “Big Lie”? Attendees will discuss opportunities 2022 presents to minimize the worst threats posed by election sabotage in 2024, and as soon as this November.

Note: This program is appropriate for funders who can do 501(c)(4), 527, PAC, or other political giving. If you are a 501(c)(3)-only funder concerned about this issue, feel free to reach out to the DFN team to discuss.

Speakers:

• Secretary Jena Griswold – Colorado Secretary of State and Chair, Democratic Association of Secretaries of State

• Sarah Longwell – Executive Director, Republican Accountability Project

• Daniel Squadron – Co-founder and Executive Director, Future Now

REGISTER HERE>

DFN events are for funders supporting organizations in the democracy space. If you’re not a funder, please email Carly Straus (carly@thirdplateau.com) to discuss your participation before registering.

Join Protect Democracy, Unite America, and R Street on Wednesday, February 2 at 12:00pm ET/ 9:00am PT for a discussion panel on how features of the U.S. electoral system are exacerbating America’s authoritarian threat. While those concerned about U.S. democracy justifiably focus on the current far-right campaigns to curtail voting rights nationwide and interfere with election administration, the roots of antidemocratic extremism run much deeper. A new report by Protect Democracy argues that, unlike most other major democracies, the U.S. electoral system—single-member plurality—is structurally and uniquely advantaging authoritarianism: diluting minority voting power, weakening competition between the major parties, preventing an electorally viable new center-right party, and rewarding extreme factions at the ballot box.

This briefing will address the following questions:
>How is America’s electoral system anomalous?
>What challenges does this system present to democratic resilience?
>How can we structurally reverse the authoritarian tide?

At a time when it's easy to feel bleak about the state of our democracy, our panelists will explain why they're still hopeful.

The Speakers for this event include:

• Didi Kuo Associate Director for Research and Senior Research Scholar at the Center on Democracy, Development @Stanford University

• Lee Drutman Senior Fellow, Political Reform Program @New America

• Nick Troiano Executive Director @Unite America

• Matt Germer Resident Elections Fellow, Governance Program @R Street

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One year ago, on January 6, 2021, we watched the insurrection at the Capitol in horror. Images of members of Congress being hunted by mobs, windows and doors smashed, and offices ransacked and desecrated, are seared into our memories.

As stark as they were, the events of January 6th were also incredibly confusing as they unfolded. What were we actually witnessing? Was this a serious attempt to overturn the election or the last gasp of a disappointed Republican base that couldn’t come to terms with the election results? To what extent was the insurrection driven - or actively abetted - by Donald Trump and his allies, publicly or behind the scenes? And what did the attack augur for the future of American democracy?

One year later, thanks in large part to the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, we know that the insurrection was part of a broader effort to subvert the results of the 2020 election. In this conversation we will discuss that effort and the status of attempts to hold its perpetrators accountable. And we will explore the work underway to prevent future elections from being overturned and to secure the peaceful transfer of power.

This event will be held on Wednesday, January 5th from 1-2pm PT / 4-5 ET

Speakers:

• Ian Bassin, Executive Director, Protect Democracy

• Joanna Lydgate, Chief Executive Officer, States United Democracy Center

• Ben Wittes, Editor-in-Chief, Lawfare

REGISTER HERE>

Please note this event is for DFN members only. If you haven't yet become a member, you can sign up here. If you have any questions, please email Carly Straus, carly@thirdplateau.com.

Vot-ER is the first and only national nonpartisan organization in which doctors, nurses and medical professionals organize hospitals, community clinics and medical institutions across the United States to incorporate voter registration and participatory democracy into patient treatment.

Healthy Democracy, Healthy People is a new nonpartisan initiative from major public health and civic engagement groups that supports public health professionals and policymakers who are working to advance civic participation and public health.

Last year, Carnegie Corporation and the Langeloth Foundation supported efforts like these to increase voter and civic engagement. Carnegie Corporation has a long history in supporting democracy work, while the Langeloth Foundation is primarily a health foundation that saw the need for civic engagement in the health space. Foundations like ours have been instrumental to the success of organizations like Vot-ER and Healthy Democracy, Healthy People, and we’d like to share what we’ve learned and the path forward.

Please join Vot-ER’s new acting Executive Director Aliya Bhatia and Healthy Democracy Healthy People’s Senior Advisor Jessica Barba Brown for a progress report and a detailed look into their plans and programs in advance of the 2022 elections. Jake Matilsky, Executive Director for the Center for Secure and Modern Elections, will discuss the importance of engaging new voices and new allies in the mission to advance pro-voter policy and increase civic participation. This session is for funders who currently support civic engagement efforts, those who are interested in doing so, or those who want to learn more.

REGSITER HERE>

Learn how RCV played out in the NYC mayoral primary, particularly how it impacted democratic culture surrounding the election. Join Democracy Funders Network, Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement, and Philanthropy New York for a pragmatic look at how RCV played out in the primary.

Funders will review exit poll data on voters’ experience with RCV and hear speakers reflect on the impact of RCV on the culture of the election, including candidate behavior, media coverage, and the voter experience (particularly among communities facing more barriers to participation). Using this historic election as a jumping off point, donors will be able to reflect on some of the nuances of implementing structural democracy reform and the implications of those nuances on a broader democracy reform agenda.

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The 2022 elections are shaping up to be some of the most important in recent memory.

Midterm elections always matter — but in this divided era, as the country begins a redistricting cycle amid a wave of new laws that will make it harder for Americans to vote, the 2022 midterms will matter more than most. From the role of primary voters to the issues that will bring voters to the polls a year from now, Brennan Center President Michael Waldman will seek early insight from some of the best in the business: Stephanie Cutter, political consultant and Founding Partner of Precision, and a veteran of both Obama campaigns and the Obama White House; Shailagh Murray, a former Washington Post political reporter who went on to serve as and as deputy chief of staff to Vice President Biden and President Obama’s senior advisor; journalist Walter Shapiro, who has covered 11 presidential campaigns; and Alex Castellanos, founder of Purple Strategies, and served as a strategist for the Ryan-Romney and Bush-Cheney campaigns.

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The insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6 was not an isolated incident; rather, it marked the culmination of the ongoing degradation of our political culture. A successful democracy relies upon the consent of its losers—both voters and candidates. But over the last two decades, American political losers have increasingly refused to consent to the winners. What can be done to reverse this trend and develop a healthier political culture? Join us as we discuss this important issue.

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In the US, political institutions are often seen as neutral, but in fact they reflect choices and compromises about how we balance between majority and minority interests. Panelists will look at the way different systems of electoral decision-making in a democracy can, by themselves, lead to very different outcomes, and what can be done to reform them in ways that result in more responsive and deliberative legislative bodies.

Moderator: Danielle Allen

Panelists:

• Lee Drutman (New America Foundation) is a thought leader and prolific author on reforming political parties, electoral systems and Congress.

• Katie Fahey (Of The People) leads an organization dedicated to pursuing reforms to empower individuals in the political system.

• Cara McCormick (Cofounder, Committee for Ranked Choice Voting) is an activist and leader of organizations dedicated to electoral reforms at all levels, from the local to the presidential.

This event is part of the 3-part series Our Common Purpose: A Campaign for Civic Strength hosted by the Library of Congress featuring Danielle Allen, professor at Harvard University and winner of the Library’s 2020 Kluge Prize for Achievement in the Study of Humanity.

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Issue One’s National Council on Election Integrity presents its first event of our 2021 Speaker Series on strengthening our elections, “How State Voting Proposals Could Impact How Millions of Americans Vote.”

In 2021 state legislators have introduced more than 250 bills in 43 states to make it harder to vote, including measures to limit the early voting options that 85 million people used to safely vote in 2020 — an election with the highest turnout in a century. This wave of legislation follows months of disinformation about the validity and security of the 2020 general election.

Learn about how these proposals would impact voting for millions of Americans, and what we can do to make the electoral process even more secure and accessible — instead of making it harder for people to vote.

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The 2020 elections were fraught with unprecedented challenges, ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to targeted voter suppression to overt after-the-fact attempts to overturn results in key states. While our beleaguered institutions ultimately prevailed against these threats, our electoral democracy emerged hobbling, with a disturbingly large number of Americans harboring doubts about the integrity of this and future elections.

Join experts and practitioners to discuss the key opportunities this moment presents to defend and strengthen voting rights and election administration, through defensive legislative or legal action, proactive federal and state legislative reform, and organizational efforts to bolster elections infrastructure and accessibility ahead of the next major election cycle. Funders will have a chance to discuss the role philanthropy can play in defending voting rights and furthering reform opportunities.

Featuring:

• David Becker, Executive Director & Founder of the Center for Election Innovation & Research

• Tiana Epps-Johnson, Executive Director & Founder of the Center for Technology and Civic Life

• Megan Lewis, Executive Director & Co-Founder of Voting Rights Lab

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Voter turnout surged in 2020, after a run of elections where more eligible voters sat out the race than cast their votes for the winning candidate. Is this the start of a new era of civic engagement, or will we inevitably return to low turnout in the local, state and midterm elections that lie ahead?

On Episode 38 of Knight Live’s “The Future of Democracy,” the political scientists, Eitan Hersh, author and associate professor of political science and civil studies at Tufts' Tisch College, and Yanna Krupnikov, political science professor at Stony Brook University, who guided Knight’s landmark 100 Million Project study of nonvoters will explore lessons learned from the historic 2020 election and ways to strengthen civic engagement moving forward.

Hosted by the Knight Foundation.

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After a historic political transition and the inauguration of a new administration, the fight for a fair and representative democracy continues. Join Tides Foundation and the Healthy Democracy Fund’s network of supporters and partners for a (Donors Only) interactive presentation focused on how we can:

• Prioritize continued support for BIPOC led organizations, and sustain key state and community level grantees beyond the election cycle.

• Build the civic engagement leadership and infrastructure of historically underrepresented communities, especially communities of color

• Ensure fair representation through important redistricting opportunities

• Invest in effective efforts to counter misinformation and disinformation aimed at communities of color and young voters

• Make pandemic related pro-voter reforms permanent in the states

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We’re heading into a fall election season where we will be confronting both anticipated challenges and unique COVID-related challenges; together, these represent a significant threat to our democracy. Much of the work to expand and secure voting systems and drive voter engagement throughout the COVID-19 pandemic will fall to consistently under resourced 501(c)4 organizations. This briefing will highlight Civic Action Fund, which is working to coordinate with and support existing 501(c)4 organizations with the shared goal of strengthening our elections. REGISTER HERE>

A pandemic. Battles over millions of mailed-in ballots. The Supreme Court deciding an Electoral College dispute. The accelerated undoing of democratic norms. Dozens of legal battles over election administration and voting rights. Each would be enough to create unprecedented challenges to an election. But all are present this year, positioning Election Day 2020 and the days after to face challenges rarely as intense before. As Nov. 3 approaches, voters, government officials, candidates and the media may become overwhelmed by the many storylines, the shifting landscape and the potential outcomes. Preparation needs to start now. The Fulcrum will convene a pair of experts to discuss these issues and anticipate how they will play out. REGISTER HERE>

The challenges the coronavirus pandemic poses to our democracy during an election year are substantial. Our country faces the daunting task of shifting our election systems to ensure all voters can access the ballot safely without jeopardizing their own and others' health. And the work of ensuring a healthy democracy must continue well after this year’s election, regardless of the outcome. In this event hosted by Battery Powered, hear from 12 national, non profit leaders all working to ensure the health of our elections this year and our democracy beyond. Organizations will present their greatest areas of need in this moment. Register by emailing jill@thebatterysf.com