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2023 Action Plan

2023 Action Plan

Partners In Democracy was founded in April 2022 and has spent the remainder of 2022 focused on organizational development and laying the foundation for a Massachusetts Democracy Ballot Initiative, built on the 360° democracy standard.

We are nearing conclusion on:

  • a Massachusetts Democracy Scorecard, in light of the 360° democracy standard;
  • definition of potential prongs for a ballot initiative, to be deliberated on in 2023; and that demonstrates the kind of powerful, near-term strategies available for advancing
    Partnership’s democracy goals;
  • formalization of partnerships to support deliberative, educational,
    and engagement work.

In our next phase of work, we will test the potential prongs of a ballot initiative and to engage a range of communities across the Commonwealth in a discussion of how to achieve a healthier democracy. We will run deliberation sessions with the business community, democracy reform community, and grass-roots community organizations. In addition, we will conduct polling on potential prongs of a ballot initiative.

Partners In Democracy was founded in April 2022 and has spent the remainder of 2022 focused on organizational development and laying the foundation for a Massachusetts Democracy Ballot Initiative, built on the 360° democracy standard.

We are nearing conclusion on:

  • a Massachusetts Democracy Scorecard, in light of the 360° democracy standard;
  • definition of potential prongs for a ballot initiative, to be deliberated on in 2023; and that demonstrates the kind of powerful, near-term strategies available for advancing
    Partnership’s democracy goals;
  • formalization of partnerships to support deliberative, educational,
    and engagement work.

In our next phase of work, we will test the potential prongs of a ballot initiative and to engage a range of communities across the Commonwealth in a discussion of how to achieve a healthier democracy. We will run deliberation sessions with the business community, democracy reform community, and grass-roots community organizations. In addition, we will conduct polling on potential prongs of a ballot initiative.

The potential prongs for a ballot initiative and choices that will be put to engagement groups, with the expectation of one winner in each 360° democracy category, are as follows:

The potential prongs for a ballot initiative and choices that will be put to engagement groups, with the expectation of one winner in each 360° democracy category, are as follows:

360° Democracy Category
Problem
Solution Options
Right to Vote
  • Lowest Af-Am registration in the country
  • Lower than average As-Am registration
  • Disparities between voting rates for suburbs and gateway cities
Same day voter registration
Automatic mailing of ballots
Right to Run
Least competitive elections in the country
Switch from both/and ballot access requirement to either/or requirement
Switch to Top 5 Primary System
Right to See and Shape
Among the least transparent legislatures in the country
Excessive burdens on voters
Get foreign money out of politics
Democracy vouchers
Mandate reporting of committee votes
Streamline elections calendar (no odd year elections)
Felon re-enfranchisement
End need of home rule petitions for municipal RCV

The potential prongs for a ballot initiative and choices that will be put to engagement groups, with the expectation of one winner in each 360° democracy category, are as follows:

Right to Vote

Problem

  • Lowest Af-Am registration in the country
  • Lower than average As-Am registration
  • Disparities between voting rates for suburbs and gateway cities

Solution Options

  • Same day voter registration
  • Automatic mailing of ballots

 

Right to Run

Problem

Least competitive elections in the country

Solution Options

  • Switch from both/and ballot access requirement to either/or requirement
  • Switch to Top 5 Primary System

Right to See and Shape

Problem

  • Among the least transparent
    legislatures in the country
  • Excessive burdens on voters

Solution Options

  • Get foreign money out of politics
  • Democracy vouchers
  • Mandate reporting of committee votes
  • Streamline elections calendar
    (no odd year elections)
  • Felon re-enfranchisement
  • End need of home rule petitions for municipal RCV
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