Civic Engagement Archives | Page 7 of 20 | American Democracy Minute

Trying to Game the System, Missouri Legislature Proposes Ballot Question Rule Changes to Head Off Reproductive Rights Question in November

April 9, 2024April 9, 2024

In the face of a reproductive rights ballot question later this year, Missouri’s legislature is the latest to try to game the system, making the passage of ballot initiatives harder, and taking power away from the voters.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “March on Ballot Boxes” Speech in South Carolina, May 9, 1966

January 14, 2024January 14, 2024

On May 9, 1966, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke in Kingstree, SC about the importance of voting on the eve of a state primary. "Let us march on ballot boxes until 'brotherhood' is more than a meaningless word and at the end of a prayer but the first order of business on every Legislature’s slate or agenda. Let us march on ballot boxes."

New Poll Shows the Lowest Satisfaction with American Democracy in 40 Years

January 10, 2024January 10, 2024

With America’s polarization, a special-interest driven Congress, a former President with 91 criminal indictments, a compromised U.S. Supreme Court, and rogue state legislatures, a newly updated Gallup poll shows satisfaction with American democracy plunged to just 28%, a 40-year low.

Frightening Survey Results Show Increases in Americans Who Think Violence May Be Needed and Leaders Should Break Rules to “Save Our Country”

November 2, 2023December 28, 2023

A frightening survey released last week found substantial increases in the number of Americans who thought that the country needed leaders to break rules - authoritarianism - and that violence may be needed, to QUOTE “save our country.”

Tight Labor Market, Demographics, Health Concerns and Poll Worker Harassment Contribute to Shortages of Poll Workers Around the U.S.

October 19, 2023December 28, 2023

The election system in most precincts around the U.S. relies on older volunteers and stipend workers who have flexibility of time to help out. Many experienced poll workers stepped back during the pandemic, citing health concerns, and extraordinarily low unemployment rates make it harder to recruit short term workers.