Achieving Multiracial, Multiparty Democracy

The report argues that US democracy is in peril due to election subversion, restrictive laws, and a dysfunctional party system. It advocates for a bottom-up approach to reform, emphasizing the role of local community organizations in relational organizing to engage underrepresented voters. Key recommendations include securing election integrity through data transparency, reducing voter suppression via institutional reforms like universal vote-by-mail, and expanding representation by increasing the size of legislative assemblies and adopting more proportional electoral systems.

• The report identifies a critical need to prevent the direct subversion of elections, particularly in battleground states where voters of color are most likely to be targeted. It recommends that local election agencies partner with community organizations to improve transparency and verification through the sharing of electoral data.
• To counter voter suppression, the authors argue that traditional get-out-the-vote (GOTV) tactics are insufficient because they typically target high-propensity voters. Instead, they advocate for 'relational organizing'—leveraging existing social networks in marginalized communities—to engage low-propensity voters.
• The report suggests several institutional reforms to increase voter participation, including universal vote-by-mail, same-day registration, opt-out automatic voter registration, and consolidating local elections with national ones to increase turnout.
• The authors argue that the US has more restrictive registration and ballot access laws compared to other democracies, which allows major parties to act as gatekeepers. They recommend reducing barriers to political association, such as excessive signature requirements and filing fees, to diversify candidate and party choice.
• Increasing the size of legislative assemblies, particularly city councils, is presented as a direct way to increase the supply of electoral competition and the likelihood that women and candidates of color are seated.
• The report advocates for the design of electoral districts that ensure proportionality in representation. It suggests that larger multiseat districts or mixed-member proportional systems can lower the threshold of representation for marginalized groups compared to single-seat districts.
• The authors recommend the use of deliberative forums, such as citizen juries and panels, to amplify marginalized voices and adjudicate structural and policy questions outside of the traditional electoral space.
• The report emphasizes that successful reform requires a bottom-up approach, urging philanthropic and funding organizations to invest in long-term movement building and local community organizations rather than national reform groups.

APA

Benjamin, A., Cheung, G., Drutman, L., Garnett, H. A., Greenwood, R., Hernandez, P., Johnson, K., Latner, M., Perez, M., Rosenfeld, S., Santucci, J., Semans, O. J., Stoll, H., Tormos-Aponte, F., Tres, A., & Walker, H. (2022). Achieving Multiracial, Multiparty Democracy. Union of Concerned Scientists. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/achieving-multiracial-multiparty-democracy.pdf

Chicago

Benjamin, Andrea, George Cheung, Lee Drutman, Holly Ann Garnett, Ruth Greenwood, Pedro Hernandez, Kevin Johnson, et al. Achieving Multiracial, Multiparty Democracy. Union of Concerned Scientists, 2022. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/achieving-multiracial-multiparty-democracy.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Benjamin |first1=Andrea |last2=Cheung |first2=George |last3=Drutman |first3=Lee |last4=Garnett |first4=Holly Ann |last5=Greenwood |first5=Ruth |last6=Hernandez |first6=Pedro |last7=Johnson |first7=Kevin |last8=Latner |first8=Michael |last9=Perez |first9=Maria |display-authors=etal |title=Achieving Multiracial, Multiparty Democracy |publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists |date=July 2022 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/achieving-multiracial-multiparty-democracy.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{benjamin2022achieving, author = {Benjamin, Andrea and Cheung, George and Drutman, Lee and Garnett, Holly Ann and Greenwood, Ruth and Hernandez, Pedro and Johnson, Kevin and Latner, Michael and Perez, Maria and Rosenfeld, Sam and Santucci, Jack and Semans, O. J. and Stoll, Heather and Tormos-Aponte, Fernando and Tres, Alejandra and Walker, Hannah}, title = {{Achieving Multiracial, Multiparty Democracy}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2022}, month = jul, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2022-07/achieving-multiracial-multiparty-democracy.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }