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The End of the Polling Booth

Tina Rosenberg

June 11, 2019 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Oregon

In Washington, Oregon, and Colorado, the traditional polling place has all but disappeared. In its place is the rise of the mail-in ballot, a convenient, inclusive method where states mail ballots to every registered voter--automatically. Evidence from all three of those states, as well as five California counties with a similar initiative, have showed an increase in voter turnout.

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Nonprofit's Free App Flags Suspicious Changes to Voter Rolls

Andrew Westrope

May 29, 2019 |

Government Technology |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Iowa

Non-profit organization Protect Democracy has created a free web application called VoteShield, which uses statistics, machine learning, and data visualization to track and flag any unusual changes in local public voter databases. Already in use in 14 states, the application allows secretaries of state and other election administrators to act on and correct these changes before voters get turned away at the polls.

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Washington State Debuts Unique Tool to Reduce Gun Suicides

Elizabeth Van Brocklin

May 28, 2019 |

The Trace |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Olympia, Washington

In Washington, state legislators have passed an innovative measure that would allow individuals to suspend their own gun rights. The bill was started as a proactive measure for those experience mental health issues to be able to prevent themselves from harming themselves in the future. While they’re still working on publicizing the new measure, those that do know about it simply have to fill out a short form at any count clerk’s office – the rest is taken care of within 24 hours.

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How New Yorkers Stood Up to Amazon and Won

Yasmeen Wafai

May 22, 2019 |

Yes! Magazine |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Long Island City, New York

When Amazon came close to establishing its second headquarters in Long Island City, the Queens borough of New York, community organizing successfully halted the development. Community leaders credit their success to a diverse group of organizations teaming up (like Queens Neighborhoods United and New York Communities for Change), politicians teaming up with the communities they represent, and quick mobilization.

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Free Childcare at City Meetings

Jessica Press

May 22, 2019 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Ithaca, New York

In Ithaca, New York, city meetings are now offering free childcare to parents who want to civically engage but are unable to do so because of childcare responsibilities. Recognizing that their meetings skewed older and whiter than their demographic reality, the city instituted the low cost, high reward policy.

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‘Now I Am Speaking to the Whole World.' How Teen Climate Activist Greta Thunberg Got Everyone to Listen

Suyin Hayes

May 16, 2019 |

Time Magazine |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Sweden, Stockholm

Climate change activist, Greta Thunberg, has sparked global action. The 16-year-old has started marches totalling over 1.5 million people, continuous protests and strikes, and spoken to world leaders at events such as the U.N Climate Change Conference and the World Economic Forum. Her activism has had noticeable impacts, like a decline in flight travel in Sweden, and spurring youth activism on an international scale.

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Offering Childcare at City Meetings May Be Key to Diversifying Civic Engagement

Rebecca Ritzel

May 08, 2019 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Ithaca, New York

Research shows that city council meetings are dominated by older, male and longtime residents. One Mayor is trying to change that. Under the leadership of mayor of Svante Myrick, in Ithaca New York, the city council began to offer childcare during city council meetings. “We don’t think anyone else has done it.’ People are using it, and some are even hailing it for it’s inclusionary nature. “Now we’re starting to see new people at meetings. People are using the childcare service.”

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This group wants to unite hikers and hunters on literal common ground: public lands

Nicole Blanchard

May 05, 2019 |

Idaho Statesman |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Boise, Idaho

A group called Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, now 36,000 strong, is bringing together people from different political and ideological backgrounds over a common interest in the preservation and conservation of public lands and waters. Bucking stereotypes, the group spans the political spectrum, with 33% Independent, 23% Republican, 20% Democrat and 16% unaffiliated in a recent survey. The BHA's recent promotion of the Land and Water Conservation Fund shows that bipartisanship is possible.

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'Hate is always local': the Swedish city that said no to neo-Nazis

David Crouch

May 01, 2019 |

The Guardian |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: Sweden, Kungälv

The city of Kungälv, Sweden, with only 20,000 residents, developed a successful initiative to prevent the spread of neo-Nazis after the murder of a fourteen year-old anti-racist activist in 1995. Armed with the theory that "hate is always local," a local teacher created the Tolerance Project, held workshops with local teenagers and took them on trips to Holocaust sites. Now the "Kungälv model" is being practiced and adapted to local contexts around Sweden.

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An Unusual Way to Bridge the Town-Gown Divide

James Fallows

May 01, 2019 |

The Atlantic |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Muncie, Indiana

Ball State University and Muncie, Indiana, are forging an inventive town-gown partnership. In 2018, the school became the first public university to assume responsibility for the city's public schools. The transition has involved intentional community engagement and sparked community enthusiasm that had waned in recent decades and resulted in a dramatically declining school population.

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