ProGov21 Policy Library

Democracy’s Future: Proposals to Expand Access to Registration and Voting for a New Generation

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2024

Level City or Town, County, State

State(s) All States

Source Fair Elections Center

Policy Areas Community Development, Democracy & Governance

While turnout among young voters has increased, there is still a gap between the youngest eligible voters and their older counterparts. This report provides best practices, model legislation, and policy examples for advocates and policy makers aiming to increase voter engagement among...

Rank Choice Voting Elections Benefit Candidates and Voters of Color

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2024

Level City or Town, County, State

State(s) All States

Source Fairvote

Policy Areas Civil Rights, Community Development, Democracy & Governance

Localities should consider adopting rank choice voting (RCV) for local elections, because RCV elections improve opportunities for candidates of color and increase voter engagement with the electoral process. This report outlines how candidates of color in cities with RCV elections...

Unlocking Fair Maps: The Keys to Independent Redistricting

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2024

Level City or Town, County, State

State(s) All States

Source Common Cause

Policy Areas Civil Rights, Community Development, Democracy & Governance

Instead of allowing politicians to approve final redistricting maps, Independent Redistricting Committees (IRCs) are cross-partisan entities that facilitate fair redistricting with the final authority to draw voting districts. This report examines how IRCs are established, and highlights...

2017 Somerset Charter Section 83-21 Extending the Right to Vote to Non-citizens

Type Ordinance or Resolution

Year 2017

Level City or Town

State(s) Maryland

Source Town of Somerset

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance

This charter amendment specifies who is considered a qualified voter in Somserset County, MD. It specifically states that any person who has resided within the limits of the town for 14 days preceding any election is a qualified voter....

2015 Minneapolis Ordinance 15-080 Requiring Landlords to Provide Voter Registration Forms to New Tenants

Type Ordinance or Resolution

Year 2015

Level City or Town

State(s) Minnesota

Source City of Minneapolis

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance

This ordinance requires landlords to provide new tenants with voter registration forms at the time the tenant begins their residency. This obliges landlords to make new residents to the area as well as new tenants who have previously not registered to vote aware of voter registration...

Ranked Choice Voting

Type Fact Sheet or Infographic

Year 2024

Level City or Town, County, State

State(s) All States

Source FairVote

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance

Without appropriate processes in place, voters are forced to split votes and deal with wasted votes. Ranked choice voting provides voters with a greater voice and better choices. This policy handout demonstrates the benefits of ranked choice voting such as greater voter preference...

20 Ways Cities Can Promote Safe and Effective Elections in November

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2020

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Center for American Progress

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance, Health

This report outlines the role cities can play in protecting safe and fair elections. It details how cities can help facilitate voter registration and participation, mitigate voter confusion, and provide valuable support to local election officers in carrying out their duties....

Expanding Voter Registration in Cities and Counties: A Toolkit for Local Policymakers

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2018

Level City or Town, County

State(s) All States

Source The Center for Popular Democracy

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance

Data shows that most Americans who are registered to vote cast a ballot on Election Day. Cities and counties can address the problem of declining voter engagement, exacerbated by barriers to voter registration, through increasing registration in their jurisdictions with city and county...

2000 New York Ordinance 19-0450 Requiring Specified Agencies to Distribute Voter Registration Forms

Type Ordinance or Resolution

Year 2000

Level City or Town

State(s) New York

Source City of New York

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance

This ordinance specifies a system to assist in distributing voter registration materials, by requiring agencies to distribute voter registration forms....

Cities and Counties Address Prison Gerrymandering

Type Fact Sheet or Infographic

Year 2021

Level City or Town, County

State(s) All States

Source Prison Policy Initiative

Policy Areas Civil Rights, Community Development, Democracy & Governance

Because the Census counts incarcerated individuals as residents of the places they were confined, localities with correctional facilities will have fewer residents thus granting their residents greater representation in local elections. This fact sheet outlines how some localities...

Fact Sheet: Local School Board Elections Matter

Type Fact Sheet or Infographic

Year 2024

Level City or Town, County, Other Boards and Agencies, School Board, School District

State(s) All States

Source Center for American Progress

Policy Areas Children & Families, Civil Rights, Community Development, Democracy & Governance, Education

Despite their importance, voter turnout in school board elections is often low compared to other local elections, thus local governments should increase participation in these elections and communicate with residents about the role school boards play in their communities. This guide...

Election Violence Prevention Toolkit

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2020

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source United States Conference of Mayors

Policy Areas Community Development, Democracy & Governance, Public Safety

Local officials should play an active role in protecting voters and poll workers from threats of violence and incidents of harassment which have increased over the past few election cycles. This report outlines how localities can identify imminent threats and build community resilience...

Municipal ID cards as a local strategy to promote belonging and shared community identity

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2013

Level City or Town

State(s) California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, New Jersey

Source The Center for Popular Democracy

Policy Areas Civil Rights, Community Development, Democracy & Governance

The lack of official identification for many residents, including immigrants, children, the homeless, and other vulnerable groups, restricts their access to services, law enforcement, and financial institutions, causing increased vulnerability and decreased civic participation. Localities...

More Than Fines and Fees: Incorporating Equity into City Revenue Strategies

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2021

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Urban Institute

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance, Economic Justice, Finance & Procurement

This report recommends a variety of policies for local leaders to adopt in pursuit of equitable public revenue. These include tracking changes in revenue diversity and payment burdens, in-kind and non-monetary value capture strategies, and inclusive community engagement strategies...

Building Power in Place: A Municipalist Organizing Toolkit Printable Zine

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2024

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Municipalism Learning Series

Policy Areas Civil Rights, Community Development, Democracy & Governance, Economic Justice

Activists and advocates can use this resource in tandem with the 'Building Power in Place Municipalist Organizing Toolkit' to reflect on municipalist organizing strategies, outline their movement's skill sets, and establish advocacy goals. It includes exercises and guidelines relevant...

Presidential Election Taskforce Advocacy Toolkit

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2024

Level City or Town, National

State(s) All States

Source National League of Cities

Policy Areas Community Development, Democracy & Governance

Low voter turnout and engagement in national elections is a barrier to effective democratic representation. Local elected officials can engage their communities in outreach to presidential candidates and advocacy for local priorities. This toolkit includes templates and talking points...

2017 Sandusky Ordinance 01-2019 Establishing Election Day as a Paid Holiday for City Employees

Type Ordinance or Resolution

Year 2019

Level City or Town

State(s) Ohio

Source City of Sandusky

Policy Areas Democracy & Governance

This ordinance codifies General Election Days as paid holidays for City Employees. ...

Youth Power Agenda in Milwaukee Public Schools, WI

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2021

Level City or Town, County, School Board, School District

State(s) Wisconsin

Source Local Progress

Policy Areas Children & Families, Democracy & Governance, Education, Public Safety

This case study analyzes how student and youth advocacy efforts have advanced alternative visions of safety within the Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) district. As a result of this student-led campaign, MPS has terminated all of its contracts with the Milwaukee Police Department, terminated...

Building Power in Place: A Municipalist Toolkit

Type Policy Brief or Report

Year 2024

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Municipalism Learning Series

Policy Areas Civil Rights, Community Development, Democracy & Governance, Economic Justice

Municipalist organizing envisions self-governed localities where neighbors can govern themselves and build alternative economic policies based on cooperation and solidarity. This toolkit combines research findings, best practices, and case studies to promote direct democracy, coordination...

2015 Los Angeles Multilingual Election Services Report

Type Act or Session Law

Year 2015

Level City or Town

State(s) California

Source City of Los Angeles

Policy Areas Community Development, Democracy & Governance, Public Spaces

Local governments play a crucial role in ensuring access to voting for all residents within their jurisdictions, and providing multilingual services at the polls can greatly assist residents for whom English is not a first language. This report provides an overview of the services...

Recruiting and Retaining Poll Workers During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Type Article

Year 2022

Level City or Town

State(s) All States

Source Center for American Progress

Policy Areas Community Development, Democracy & Governance

Poll workers are crucial to preserving free and fair elections, and local governments should take action to ensure that poll workers are adequately recruited, properly trained, and protected from harassment and intimidation. This memo outlines difficulties localities have faced in...

Deals in the Heartland: Renewable Energy Projects, Local Resistance, and How Law Can Help

Type Article

Year 2024

Level County, State, City or Town, National

State(s) All States, Indiana

Source Environmental Law Institute

Policy Areas Community Development, Energy, Environment & Natural Resources

The rapid expansion of wind energy in rural communities has faced local opposition to renewable energy transformation. There are many federal and state tax incentives offered to encourage the expansion of wind energy, but community members cite concerns with poor processes, inadequate...

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