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Democracy Comes to Michigan

David Byrne

March 21, 2022 |

Reasons to be Cheerful |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Michigan

A grassroots campaign ended gerrymandering in Michigan by passing an initiative requiring districts be drawn by citizen-commissions rather than politicians. The all-volunteer campaign went door-to-door collecting enough signatures to get the initiative on the ballot and used creative voter-engagement techniques to sustain the support. Once the ballot initiative passed, 9,300 people applied for the first commission. A third-party firm ultimately selected four Democrats, four Republicans, and five non-partisan people as commissioners, who worked together very well to redraw districts.

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Good Talk

Jennifer Miller

March 16, 2022 |

The Washington Post |

Text |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania created a Civil Dialogue Seminar to teach students how to communicate across political divides. The seminar, which is part of a growing civil dialogue movement taking place among Gen Z, includes social psychology curriculum to help students navigate difficult conversations with people they disagree with. Students participate in the Red and Blue Exchange, small group conversations about controversial topics, where they practice having conversations about issues that elicit strong responses. Students also investigate their own emotional responses with weekly journal reflections.

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The Stop Asian Hate movement is at a crossroads

Li Zhou

March 15, 2022 |

Vox |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States

The Stop AAPI Hate movement has increased the public’s awareness of the increase in hate crimes and prejudice as a result of COVID-19. The movement collects incident reports and uses the data to advocate for change. In addition to increasing awareness by ensuring that hate crimes did not go unnoticed, more people have participated in protests and become engaged with organizations working to stop anti-Asian racism. The movement has also fueled some policy wins, such as Congress’ approval of the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act.

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How progressives are winning over the rural voters Democrats abandoned

Jaisal Noor

March 08, 2022 |

The Real News Network |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Stands Up has effectively built support for progressive causes in rural areas using deep canvassing techniques, which emphasize active listening and asking non-judgemental questions instead of political sloganeering.

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Despite Hurdles, Automatic Voter Registration Law Adds to Voter Rolls

Amanda Vinicky

February 23, 2022 |

WTTW-PBS |

Broadcast TV News |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Illinois

Illinois’ 2018 automatic voter registration law resulted in 111,000 additional voter registration applications. Under the automatic system, eligible voters are automatically registered to vote with their most up-to-date address and information every time they interact with state agencies, like the DMV. Each time there is a new interaction with a state agency, voter rolls are updated and individuals who don’t want to be registered can proactively opt-out.

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California offers graduation honor to encourage active civic engagement

John Fensterwald

February 08, 2022 |

EdSource |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, California

The State Seal of Civic Engagement, which is affixed to high school diplomas, recognizes student civic participation. The program is intended to increase civic participation among youth and strengthen civics curriculum by making the learning more active instead of passive. Criteria for what qualifies for the seal varies and is meant to be inclusive and accessible. It ranges from high-level demonstrated knowledge in civics courses to participation in actual civic engagement projects. Several districts have partnered with a nonprofit that supplies “action civics” curriculum and teacher training.

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The Town That QAnon Nearly Swallowed

Sasha Abramsky

February 07, 2022 |

The Nation (New York) |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Sequim, Washington

The Sequim Good Governance League (SGGL) formed in response to right-wing agitators taking over positions of power and spreading misinformation. SGGL recruited progressive and moderately conservative candidates who successfully defeated incumbents with the help of dozens of volunteers they trained. Volunteers worked around the clock, sent out emails, put up signs around the town, and used their most effective tool: having one-on-one conversations with other residents. SGGL-backed candidates now hold the majority of government offices.

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Climate change activists look to increase voter turnout in 2022 and beyond

Ben Adler

January 28, 2022 |

Yahoo! News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

The Environmental Voter Project (EVP) is a nonpartisan nonprofit working to increase voter turnout among irregular voters who care about the environment. The EVP has 6,000 volunteers who contact infrequent voters in 17 states via text, phone, postcards, and door-knocking. Volunteers identify would-be voters who care about the environment but don’t actually talk about the environment. Instead, their goal is to engage voters and get them to vote regardless of whether anything related to environmental regulation is on the ballot. EVP uses peer-pressure and sends many reminders to get people to the polls.

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How expanded child tax credit aided these moms, changed economy

Nick Roll

January 19, 2022 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

As part of a COVID-19 pandemic relief bill, the federal government expanded the child tax credit and distributed the money in monthly cash payments rather than a lump sum when filing taxes. The expansion, which expired in 2022, also increased the per-child amount up to $3,600 annually. The concept of cash-payments trusts families to decide where the money is most needed. Data shows that many families were able to catch up on bills and take away the urgency of financial struggles, opening up space to tend to other physical and emotional needs involved in raising children.

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How India's Farmers Launched a Movement Against Modi's Farm Bills—and Won

Amandeep Sandhu

January 19, 2022 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: India

Protests among farmers in India led to the repeal of farm laws – passed in the midst of COVID-19 shutdowns – that privileged corporate interests over the livelihood of farmers. In some states, farm union members blocked railroads, prevented the collection of toll taxes on roads, and blocked gas stations, shopping malls, and warehouses owned by corporations that benefited from the laws. Throughout the protests anywhere from 50,000 to 700,000 farmers camped out blocking strategic infrastructure. The sustained protests, and the widespread support among people, led the government to withdraw the laws.

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