The Fulcrum is a nonprofit and nonpartisan news organization focused exclusively on efforts to reverse the dysfunctions plaguing American democracy.
Originally published on The Fulcrum. The relatively new National Task Force on Election Crises has issued its concise but thorough guidance to states on how to plan for elections during the coronavirus outbreak. The laundry list of recommendations includes steps to promote more mail-in voting, while also preparing for in-person
Originally published on The Fulcrum. Advocates of open government are sounding the alarm that local, state and federal officials are too quickly sacrificing public access to the cause of public health during the coronavirus pandemic. "This is the worst time to be putting up obstacles to access," said
As social distancing forces more isolation on an already fractured nation, one of the leading organizations behind civil dialogue is developing programming to keep people connected. The National Conversation Project, a coalition of more than 300 organizations that develops virtual and in-person programming to help bridge divides through listening and
At a time when primary turnout is already taking a hit from the coronavirus, a new photo ID requirement in Kentucky looms as another deterrent from the polls this year. Legislation cleared Thursday by the General Assembly would require would-be voters show a driver's license or other government-issued
Illinois should host the first presidential primaries if the goal is to pick a state that most closely matches the demographics of the country. And Vermont, the home state of Democratic front-runner Bernie Sanders, should have minimal influence over the process because its makeup is least similar to the entire
Republicans in charge of the Arizona Legislature are hoping to restrict the powers of the state's independent redistricting commission before the new maps are drawn next year. At issue is just how close to identical in population the state's legislative districts should be. A variation of
By: Mark Schmitt (The Fulcrum Op-Ed) A presidential campaign is a contest of ideas, not just personalities. As candidates set out policy priorities and develop proposals, we learn more about what they care about, but we also see in their reflection what voters and party activists want to hear. The
Cities and counties in Florida that want to limit dark money or foreign donors in their own elections would be stopped under a surprise proposal now moving through the Legislature. Curbing money in politics at the local level has become the cause of choice for advocates of tougher campaign finance