Colombia’s capital city of Bogota elects first female mayor
Claudia López won the race for mayor of Bogota on a platform promising to combat corruption and advance equal rights for minority communities.
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.
Maine to be first in the United States to use ranked choice voting in presidential elections
“My experience with ranked-choice voting is that it gives voters a greater voice and it encourages civility among campaigns and candidates at a time when such civility is sorely needed,” said Gov. Mills.
Japan elects Taiga Ishikawa as first openly gay male lawmaker
Taiga Ishikawa made history on July 21 when he became the first openly gay male lawmaker in the country’s history.
Democratic Republic of Congo completes its first peaceful transfer of power
Felix Tshisekedi has been sworn in as the president of the DRC, in the vast central African country’s first transfer of power through an election in 59 years of independence.
India begins launching “pink booths” to encourage female voting
“Pink booths” feature an all-female staff – including police and security personnel – and childcare facilities in order to encourage women to vote.
Denver voters approve decriminalizing “magic mushrooms”
Denver voters approved a measure to decriminalize psychedelic mushrooms. Psilocybin has been touted for treating a variety of psychological issues, including depression.
Ohio congressional map is illegal gerrymander, federal court rules
The ruling, by a three-judge panel from the Federal District Court in Cincinnati, ordered new maps to be drawn by June 14 to be used for the 2020 election, when Democrats will fight to preserve their House majority.
New York legislators pass sweeping overhaul of restrictive voting laws
The measures, planned by Democrats who reclaimed control of all levers of state government for the first time in modern memory, would allow voters to cast their ballots early or by mail for the first time in state history.
Gun control groups eclipse NRA in U.S. election spending
Amid a numbing succession of mass shootings, gun control groups outspent the National Rifle Association in the midterm election cycle.
Massachusetts voters uphold transgender rights law
The Yes on 3 campaign described Massachusetts as the first state in the nation “to successfully defend transgender rights by popular vote.”