Story Search Results

Advanced Search

There are so many ways to search the solutions journalism stories in this database. Explore our searchable fields:

Search Results

You searched for: -

There are 403 results for your search. View and Refine Your Search Terms

W. Va. Blockchain Experiment Could Be the Future of U.S. Voting

Jen A. Miller

August 18, 2018 |

ThirtyK |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Clarksburg, West Virginia

West Virginia became the first state to test out voting in a federal election using blockchain technology. A pilot program allowed military voters from two counties in West Virginia to use a mobile app called Voatz in order to vote while overseas. Instead of a traditional paper absentee ballot, the app relied on blockchain to secure the voting process. The state expects to spread the program statewide for the general election this November.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Want Young People to Vote? Make Them Sign a Pledge.

Graham Vyse

August 15, 2018 |

Governing |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

Having young people sign a voting pledge, and then reminding them that they signed, increased voter turnout on college campuses in Colorado and Pennsylvania in 2016. The approach was more effective than asking youth to sign up for a reminder to vote.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Is Blockchain Technology the Future of Voting?

Nafeesa Syeed

August 10, 2018 |

Bloomberg |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, West Virginia

During West Virginia’s primary elections, a pilot program used blockchain technology and a mobile app to record votes. The aim was to improve election security and make it easier for Americans abroad to cast their ballots. Critics say that the program left many security issues unsolved.

Read More
Go to Original Story
In Germany, a news site is pairing up liberals and conservatives and actually getting them to (gasp) have a civil conversation

Shan Wang

August 08, 2018 |

Nieman Lab |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Germany

German news site Zeit Online helped 600 pairs of people with opposing political views meet to discuss the issues in person. The "My Country Talks" initiative was so well-reviewed that Zeit Online is now partnering with a dozen other German media organizations to grow the project, as well as a variety of groups outside the country.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Doña Ana County works to build a stronger voting culture

Heath Haussaman

July 16, 2018 |

NMPolitics.net |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Chaparral, New Mexico

In Doña Ana County, New Mexico, boosting civic engagement is a priority. County Clerk Scott Krahling has tried several initiatives to do so, including hosting voter registration drives in schools, consolidating local elections, and implementing ranked choice voting. The clerk’s office also values community input. A nonpartisan advisory council and series of community meetings aim to ensure the community has a say in these civic engagement initiatives.

Read More
Go to Original Story
What If the Teen City Council Is Better Than the Grownup One?

Kriston Capps

July 05, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Takoma Park, Maryland

Takoma Park’s youth council may be the most powerful teen legislature in the nation. The city was the first to lower the voting age to 16 years old, so council members are not only communicating youth perspectives but also voting in local elections.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Getting Student Power Into the Voting Booth

David Bornstein

July 04, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

The ALL IN challenge implores leaders at colleges across the United States to better incorporate civic engagement education into curriculum and use non-partisan tactics to encourage students to register to vote. The recent push is in part a response to the discouraging results published by Tufts University in 2014 - during that year's midterm election, only 12 percent of college students voted, and for the 2016 presidential election, less than half cast their vote.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Where Danes Butt Heads (Politely) With Their Leaders

Martin Selsoe Sorensen

June 23, 2018 |

The New York Times |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: Denmark, Allinge

Thousands of Danes attend a political festival called Folkemodet every year to mingle with government ministers and corporate executives and enjoy live music, comedy, and art. The casual atmosphere allows participants to ask tough questions of their leaders in person. Participants say the festival helps them learn more about political issues and inspires them to become more politically active.

Read More
Go to Original Story
Maine Tests a New Way of Voting, and Opts to Keep It

Daniel C. Vock

June 13, 2018 |

Governing |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Maine

After trying ranked-choice voting, citizens in Maine decided to keep the system, even fighting court battles on the issue. The system allows voters to rank candidates running for an office from most desirable to least desirable. This makes it possible for voters’ choices to be taken into account even if their top pick candidate falls out of the running in an election in which no candidate wins the majority of the vote outright.

Read More
Go to Original Story
The simple voting reform that raises turnout wherever it's tried

David Roberts

May 23, 2018 |

Vox |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States

Voting is easy when a ballot arrives in your mailbox. Vote-at-home increases turnout in all precincts and elections in which it’s available. It significantly outperforms all combinations of other innovations such as absentee ballots, early in-person voting, same-day registration and election-day registration.

Read More
Go to Original Story