By Eveline Dowling Across the US, some of the most consequential democratic work is happening far from Washington. Cities and states are quietly experimenting with new approaches to election administration,...
The shootings in Minneapolis are another reflection of our country’s move toward authoritarianism. A new report from Amnesty International cites 12 “alarm bells,” that signal this move, including attacks on...
“This is a time of rapid change in communities around the world. Never in our history have there been more massive demographic changes, differences in socioeconomic well-being, and such alarming...
During a public forum in Rochester, Minnesota, on December 4, 2025, the Center for Democracy Innovation piloted a new accessibility tool to expand participation in civic conversations: live AI translation...
Elite universities may dominate our picture of higher education, but behind them is a vast network of workhorse institutions across the country: community colleges. Community colleges serve nearly half of...
Jon Abercrombie, who passed away last month, was an influential civic innovator who helped make Decatur, Georgia, a sterling example of participatory and deliberative democracy. After an already-accomplished career in...
Some city leaders would be surprised to see hundreds of residents volunteer to spend dozens of hours poring over their city’s charter. “I was shocked by how willing these members...
What will Raleigh, NC look like in 20 years? A diverse cross-section of residents—selected through a lottery to reflect the city’s demographics—will help answer that question as part of Raleigh’s...
“The generation we’re in needs a Declaration of Interdependence, in which we’re all working together to build connections and achieve the Great American Dream.” This statement, from Maury Giles, the...
