Sierra Leone just held the world’s first blockchain-powered election
Agora’s work in Sierra Leone marked an important milestone on the path to a more transparent and fair democracy built on blockchain technology.
Elections
Pennsylvania court throws out state’s congressional map, ruling that gerrymandering violates constitution
In the Democratic-controlled court’s decision, the majority said the boundaries “clearly, plainly and palpably” violate the state’s constitution and blocked the boundaries from remaining in effect for the 2018 elections with just weeks until dozens of people file paperwork to run for Congress.
North Carolina Congressional map ruled unconstitutionally gerrymandered
The ruling was the first time that a federal court had blocked a congressional map because of a partisan gerrymander, and it instantly endangered Republican seats in the coming elections.
California DISCLOSE Act signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown to combat dark money
Today, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law the landmark California DISCLOSE Act (AB 249), the nation’s most comprehensive election disclosure law.
Oregon’s new motor voter law is registering more young people
Since registered voters skew older, Oregon’s automatic voter registration law is correcting the age bias and giving people of all ages access to the ballot.
Young democracy activist among Macau election winners
The results released early Monday are a surprising sign of faith in young people with progressive ideas among Macau’s notoriously apathetic electorate.
Nepal votes in first local elections in 20 years
The people of Nepal have voted for representatives in municipal and village councils for the first time in two decades, a landmark moment in the country’s transition to democracy.
Seattle’s ‘democracy vouchers’ aim to amplify low-income voices
The city’s new “Democracy Voucher” program, the first of its kind in the US, provides every eligible Seattle resident with $100 in taxpayer-funded vouchers to donate to the candidates of their choice.
Illinois passes automatic voter registration
With the unanimous passage in both the Illinois House and Senate of automatic voter registration (AVR) legislation, it is safe to say this particular reform is moving along rapidly with bipartisan support.
Maine passes ranked-choice voting
Under the election overhaul, ballots are counted at the state level in multiple rounds. Last-place candidates are eliminated until a candidate wins by a majority.