Ballot initiatives are often criticized for being too expensive. In our new report, Oscar Pocasangre and I asked: how expensive, really—and compared to what?
Read about the true costs and *value* of direct democracy in modern US politics. @PolReformNA
newamerica.org/insights/dire…
Maresa Strano retweeted
Tomorrow, June 24th from 12 to 1pm ET, please join us for an exciting event online with @FLHatNewAmerica to discuss Akron, Ohio's recent civic assembly! Featuring @UnifyAkron 's Morgan Lasher and Matt Byrne. newamerica.org/events/akrons…
Maresa Strano retweeted
Honored to be featured in the Washington Post’s Next 50 for 2026.
Oh and on the same page as some other guy who is now the mayor of the provincial city in which I was born.
Maresa Strano retweeted
The NJ Supreme Court must rethink its stance on the fusion voting ruling, arguing that allowing candidates to appear on multiple party lines would strengthen democracy and give voters a more meaningful choice.
Maresa Strano retweeted
See wrap-up coverage of “Parties, Power, and Possibility: Revisiting Fusion Voting in Wisconsin,” which drew over 100 attendees. Thanks to all who made this possible! buff.ly/MP1k96P
@PolReformNA @NewAmerica @fusionvoting @thompson_center @UWLawDemocracy @ElectionsCenter
Maresa Strano retweeted
Join us in Madison on 11/14!
As courts weigh lifting WI's fusion ban, come for a day of cross-partisan expert panels. @WisconsinLaw @UWLawDemocracy @fusionvoting @thompson_center @ElectionsCenter @NewAmerica @leedrutman
Register here: tinyurl.com/4hv5hctc
Maresa Strano retweeted
Electoral reform doesn’t always start in the legislature. In fact, it often comes from outside the government. From #RCV to fair maps, the biggest reform wins of the past decade came through ballot initiatives. Let’s defend and expand that power: newamerica.org/political-ref…
NEW REPORT: Amid deepening political dysfunction, statewide ballot initiatives are a proven tool for change. A new report from @MaresaStrano @mschmitt9 and Oscar Pocasangre of @polreformNA breaks down the why, how, and where of expanding direct democracy:
newamerica.org/political-ref…
Maresa Strano retweeted
Amid political dysfunction and distrust, ballot initiatives offer a time-tested mechanism for democratic correction and renewal.
@PolReformNA explores how to expand citizen-led policymaking to more states.
🗳️ go.newamerica.org/citizen-le…
ALT Promotional image for "By the People: Expanding Citizen-Led Policy in the United States," featuring an article collection on expanding the number of U.S. states that allow ballot initiatives. This is a New America collaboration, shown with an image of a business reply mail envelope at the bottom.
Maresa Strano retweeted
This decision has implications for 2-3 House seats and determine who controls Congress in 2026. Same voters, same preferences, but judicial whims decide how votes add up. Democracy by dark magic - identical voters in, different majority party out. Presto, change-o.
BREAKING: In an unusual move from the Supreme Court, it will not issue a decision on the constitutionality of Louisiana's congressional map today. Instead, the Court will rehear the case next term. More to come. hubs.ly/Q03v1j8N0
Maresa Strano retweeted
This foreshadows an end of the Voting Rights Act's majority-minority district strategy. After 60 years, the legal framework that increased minority representation has reached its limits. If so, now what?
Here's why 4/20 is about more than just cannabis: newamerica.org/the-thread/42…
#420 #DirectDemocracy #CivicPower
Maresa Strano retweeted
Join @NewAmerica's Us@250 Initiative and @PolReformNA on November 21st from 1-2pm EST for a panel discussion about the election and Black America during a second Trump administration. RSVP: events.newamerica.org/blackv…
Maresa Strano retweeted
🎊 NEW: Democracy Deciphered, a @NewAmerica original podcast.
In episode 1, @PolReformNA's @MaresaStrano and @mschmitt9 share their 2024 Presidential Election insights.
🎧 Unravel the rich history of democratic governance #DemocracyDeciphered: go.newamerica.org/democracy-…
ALT Promotional poster for New America podcast Democracy Deciphered featuring an artistic black and white image of the United States Capitol Building, with the title "Democracy Deciphered" overlaid in white text. The design includes abstract red, white, blue, and black geometric shapes.
It’s a huge day for #RankedChoiceVoting around the country, including right here in our backyard w/ #YESon83! If you want to learn more about this reform, read my piece from this summer: newamerica.org/political-ref…
Maresa Strano retweeted
I'm enthusiastic to vote for DC's Initiative 83--ranked-choice voting along w/ open primaries. Not necessarily best combo for every state or city, but ideal for DC to encourage competition, ensure majority winners, and open the system in a city where most choices are intra-party.
Maresa Strano retweeted
With Election Day around the corner, the @PolReformNA team is digging deeper—examining not just the results but the underlying structural issues shaping our democracy. Read about the 7 questions we'll be on the lookout for: newamerica.org/political-ref…
Maresa Strano retweeted
This is a really excellent piece in Bloomberg from @MaryEllenKlas & Carolyn Silverman
Draws on @DevinCaughey & @cwarshaw's book to show that red state policy is much less congruent with state public opinion than blue state policy
bloomberg.com/graphics/2024-…
Maresa Strano retweeted
We recently sat down with six remarkable Latino leaders to hear their perspectives on the current cultural landscape & hopes for the future.
🗣️ Highlighted Voices
@JulianCastro
@JoseBilingue
@MonicaCLozano
@Cecilia44
Henry A. J. Ramos
@AmandaRenteria
📣 go.newamerica.org/questions-…
[EVENT 10/16] Interested in learning more about civic assemblies (aka juries for policymaking)? Join @NewAmerica on 10/16 for a webinar about Washington State’s efforts to enhance equity & opportunity through community-led decisionmaking.
RSVP now 👉: newamerica.org/political-ref…
