Our Vision for the Next 250

We are at a time when every state across the country is being asked to answer: “What does democracy mean to you?”

Many are doubling down on the broken practices that got us into this mess – amplifying fear, anger, and division; restricting access to a meaningful vote; and failing to deliver on the biggest issues in people’s lives.

But at Partners In Democracy, we envision a new path forward. We see a renovated 21st century democracy where people are empowered with the knowledge, skills, and relationships for civic life and democratic institutions are responsive, inclusive, and effective – where we, the people, can thrive. 

In these moments, Massachusetts answers the call and sets a new standard for the nation. Massachusetts is the birthplace of American democracy, home to the world’s oldest constitution still in use. We built the first public schools and libraries. We led on abolition, labor rights, and gay marriage. Our bipartisan universal healthcare approach became the national template through the Affordable Care Act.

It is fitting that Massachusetts leads the way in renovating our democracy – showing how we can solve our biggest problems – not through consolidating power in the hands of a chosen few, but by bringing together the best of our collective wisdom, sharing the hard decisions transparently, and delivering on the most important policies that transform people’s lives. 

We have the ingredients. Massachusetts houses the nation’s leading thinkers and doers in civic education. We have the best civic technologists, people who are harnessing new technologies like AI for learning and deliberation, not division. 

As we speak, Democracy is on the Ballot in Massachusetts, with three pro-democracy ballot initiatives – All-Party Primaries, Election Day Registration, and Public Records – heading for the November ballot. They’ll give voters access to a more meaningful vote and ensure politicians can be held accountable at the ballot box.

American democracy was born here in MA. But we will build the new standard for the next 250 years. Let’s get to work.

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