Elections

Elections shape who holds power and how societies govern themselves. This archive tracks progress in voting access, electoral integrity, civic participation, and democratic reforms — from local breakthroughs to national milestones — showing where democracy is strengthening around the world.

Voters standing outside a polling station in East Africa for an article about Somalia one-person one-vote election

Somalis vote in the first one-person one-vote local election since 1969

By / / Good News For Humankind

Somalia’s first direct elections in over 50 years marked a landmark moment for democracy in November 2024, when citizens cast ballots in district council races for the first time since 1969. After decades of civil war, authoritarian rule, and indirect clan-delegate voting systems, ordinary Somalis finally chose their own local representatives. The elections included a 30% quota for women in council seats, a hard-won provision years in the making. Conducted amid ongoing security threats from al-Shabaab, the vote represents meaningful progress in Somalia’s long, difficult rebuilding process.

St. Augustine

Florida votes to increase outdated minimum wage to $15

By / / Good news links

Voters in Florida tossed their outdated $8.56 per hour minimum wage in this election as the state became the eighth in the country to adopt a $15 minimum wage. Like many other states, Florida will introduce the raise slowly, upping it to $10 next year and raising it by $1 each year until it reaches $15 in 2026.