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The Voter Lottery

Kathleen Hawkins

February 26, 2017 |

BBC |

Radio |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Voter turnout is a problem around the world, especially in local elections and among minority groups. But a small group of academics and activists in the US are experimenting with a new way to encourage people to turn up to vote: a lottery. Every voter is entered and one lucky winner gets a big cash prize, eliminating the risk of bribery and bought votes.

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Automatic Voter Registration a ‘Success' in Oregon

Niraj Chokshi

December 02, 2016 |

The New York Times |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Oregon

Low voter turnout has affected the results of numerous elections across the country. Oregon gave its residents the choice to opt in instead of out when receiving government services, in the hopes of increasing voter turnout.

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Civic involvement, voting are priorities in Colorado

Matt Woolbright

November 19, 2016 |

Corpus Christi Caller Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

Colorado recently passed a voter enfranchisement law that required register voters receive a ballot to vote by mail and several more options to vote in general. The mail ballots have greatly boosted voter turnout. Colorado now has about a 75 percent voter turnout rate, with some counties exceeding 80 and 90 percent.

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Finding voter turnout solutions in Colorado

Matt Woolbright

October 24, 2016 |

Corpus Christi Caller Times |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Colorado

Colorado employs a wide array of methods to increase voter turnout, and it pays off. The state is one of the country's most successful in terms of voter turnout, thanks to Election Day voter registration, mail-in ballots sent to every Colorado voter, drop off locations for mail-in ballots, and voter pre-registration for 16- and 17-year old residents.

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For Better Citizens, Scratch and Win

Tina Rosenberg

October 11, 2016 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: China

In China, rampant sales tax fraud was addressed with a unique solution. In an attempt to increase transparent sales and receipt use, the government implemented a scratch lottery system on receipts. This solution, using lottery systems to increase turnout and engagement, is being used across the globe, even in the United States to help increase voter turnout.

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The people trying to save democracy from itself

Patrick Chalmers

July 02, 2016 |

The Guardian |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Portland, Oregon

Low voter turnouts, populists offering half-truths, corporate interests, and the blurring of facts in the media are signs that democracy around the world is in turmoil. Internationally, citizens have assembled different programs and initiatives that arm ordinary people with information about policy and their elected officials, as well as distinctive ways to reform the electoral system.

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Votería: How One Latino Organization Uses Culture to Engage Voters

Maria Esquinca

March 30, 2016 |

Latino Rebels |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, El Paso, Texas

Equal Voice Network looked at low voter turnout rates in El Paso and decided that just registering voters wasn’t enough. The coalition developed a creative way to increase education and engagement in local issues: a game. Votería is a play off of Lotería, a traditional Mexican pastime similar to bingo, with updated images and text explaining key current issues and political figures.

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Why Philadelphia Should Lower the Voting Age to 16

Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

March 22, 2016 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Takoma Park, Maryland

In Takoma Park, Maryland, the voting age for local elections is 16. Lowering the age has increased turnout among youth—and studies show that the sooner people start to vote, the more likely they are to be lifetime voters.

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Smart African Politics: Candidates Debating Under a Tree

Tina Rosenberg

November 10, 2015 |

The New York Times |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Sierra Leone

Voters tend to know a lot about presidential and local candidates but little about those in between. In Sierra Leone, an organization hosted, filmed, and then projected the debates in villages, increasing voters’ knowledge of the candidates and issues, and changing the way people voted.

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It Takes a Village

Kirsi Jansa

February 11, 2015 |

Sustainability Pioneers |

Video |

5-15 Minutes

Response Location: United Kingdom, Balcombe

Two towns are fighting back against fossil fuel companies. From fossil free energy fairs in Pennsylvania to a solar energy co-op in the UK, citizens are relying on the idea of community power to unite in favor of renewable energy. In the UK, the creative financing structure of the co-operative REPOWERBalcombe will generate both financial and environmental returns.

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