As we approach the year’s end, our alliance’s work continues to grow in both scope and impact. This week, we're showcasing resources that reflect the richness and variety of our endeavors.

On December 4th, Kevin Johnson from the Election Reformers Network joined other leaders at an AEI-hosted event for a discussion of the status of structural election reform across the country. They explored strategies, proposed reforms, and how these reforms could enhance civility in politics. Nick Troiano of Unite America recently discussed his insights on how to tackle the “primary problem” of closed primary systems on the Another Way podcast. He highlighted how open primaries and majority systems might boost voter turnout and depolarization.

In alignment with our bridging efforts, Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s ‘Disagree Better’ initiative was featured in the latest episode of Let’s Find Common Ground from the Common Ground Committee. Gov. Cox discussed his belief in the initiative’s potential to combat hyperpartisanship and political dysfunction. The urgency of his campaign was highlighted by a recent quote from a public event where he warned, “Either we, the people, collectively decide we’re going to stop hating our fellow Americans, or we’ll start shooting each other.” With the threat of political violence looming in many minds, this discussion is timely and important as we align our goals for serving the country’s needs in 2024.

International conflicts also impact our domestic conversations and work. Living Room Conversations offers guidance through their Conversations in Troubled Times resource. Insightful pieces in The Fulcrum and on AllSides offer perspectives that help orient healthier discussions around the Israel-Hamas conflict. Mediators Beyond Borders International is set to host discussions tomorrow and Tuesday, December 19th focusing on responding to current events in the Middle East with compassion, awareness, and curiosity instead of reacting with avoidance, aggression, or fear. With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine in mind, the Network for Responsible Public Policy will host its 4th update on the situation there next Thursday, December 21st, featuring a panel of expert speakers. 

Next Thursday will also be the last Weekly Update from us for 2023. Time flies, especially during this busy season! We hope you have a wonderful week ahead.

Featured Content

ActiVote (Article) December 7th: The left’s disapproval of Joe Biden

AllSides (Blog) December 7th: Our Politics May Be Different, but We Agree on These 3 Israel-Hamas Arguments

Ballotpedia (Blog) December 11th: At least 16 abortion-related measures could appear on the ballot in 2024

BillTrack50 & IssueVoter (Blog) December 8th: IssueVoter Bill of the Month (Dec 2023): Preventing Deepfake Scams Act

Divided We Fall (Article) December 13th: Will AI Democratize Education?

Election Reformers Network (Video) December 4th: AEI Webinar: Structural Election Reform: What Is Happening in the States?

Interactivity Foundation (Article) December 7th: Just Imagine…Leaving Behind Original Intent?

Independent Voter Project (IVN) December 12th: Another Major National Poll Shows Viable Opening for Prominent Independent Candidate

Living Room Conversations (Guide): Conversations in Troubled Times

National Civic League (Article) December 5th: Essay X: Directions for Democracy Innovation in a Conscious/Subconscious World

Unite America (Recap) November 27th: 5 Key Takeaways from Nick Troiano and Lawrence Lessig

Podcasts

Ballotpedia (On the Ballot) December 7th: Should RCV continue to expand?

Common Ground Committee (Let’s Find Common Ground) December 7th: Disagree Better: Politics Across Divides. Utah Governor Spencer Cox

The Village Square (God Squad) December 7th: God Squad: Ending the Cycle of Mean

The Democracy Group (Democracy Matters) December 11th: Best of 2023: The tensions between expertise and democracy: An interview with Dr. Anthony Fauci

Young Voices (Moving Forward) December 12th: Moving Forward with Young Voices

Citizen Connect Featured Events

Mediators Beyond Borders International (December 15th @ 12:00 pm EST) Responding to War, Violence, and Division

Living Room Conversations (December 16th @ 12 pm MST) Talking to Strangers Conversation

Unify America (December 19th @ 4 pm CST) Unify Challenge

American Promise (December 19th @ 7:30 pm EDT) American Promise Writing & Media Action Team

Network for Responsible Public Policy (December 21st @ 7:30 pm EST) Ukraine Update IV

Featured Fulcrum Articles

Dave Anderson, December 14th: Time to drop the terms pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel

David Meyers, December 14th: Former members of Congress say threats of violence are on the rise

Bradford Fitch, December 13th: Congress may be broken – but it’s not lazy

Alissa Bombardier Shaw, December 12th: Women experts in democracy must be at the table

F. Willis Johnson, December 12th: The power of empathic dialogue

Kim Kleman, December 11th: Local news is in crisis, but there is hope

Members In The News

A More Perfect Union (Jewish News), December 6th: New Jewish org wants to ensure election past is not prologue for 2024 and beyond

American Promise (The Messenger) November 11th: Can We Really Take Money Out of Politics?

Ballotpedia (Axios) November 26th: Lawmakers are ditching Congress at a record pace

Issue One (Politico), November 21st: PhRMA gave big to dark money groups boosting drug pricing critics - POLITICO

RepresentUs (Raw Story) November 14th: Enviro congressman’s wife buys — then dumps — dozens of oil, energy and other stocks