Rob Richie

Making parties great again, early election results, and timely links Welcome to the latest edition of The Expand Democracy 3, written this week by Rob, with the support of Eveline and Nivea.

There are exciting levels of greater interest and funding for proportional representation. My hope is that we have a "big tent" reform approach & keep learning. Here's our latest @ExpandDemocracy newsletter with my thoughts. expanddem.substack.com/p/making-par...

Wonderful lunch conversation with @mariamcfarlandsm.bsky.social CEO of @represent.us & @robrichie.bsky.social CEO of @expanddemocracy.bsky.social — we talked about strategies to build a stronger & more resilient democracy with reforms like #RankedChoiceVoting

Reforming the filibuster, hands-on civics, and timely links This article explores practical, citizen‑driven strategies for reforming the Senate filibuster, breaking down how everyday people—not just lawmakers—can influence one of Congress’s most powerful proce...

Might 2026 be the year we finally reform the Senate filibuster - and ideas for treating civics as if we believed voting mattered. See my Fulcrum piece. thefulcrum.us/governance-l...

FairVote CEO Meredith Sumpter joins @robrichie.bsky.social on @expanddemocracy.bsky.social's podcast, The Democracy Lab!

They discuss the history of the ranked choice voting movement, their excitement for its future, & how Americans have changed govt for the better.

Listen ⬇️ #RankedChoiceVoting

The Expand Democracy 5: RCV and its critics, the root of the “re-gerrymander”, expanding citizen initiatives, deliberative democracy, and timely links Welcome to the latest edition of The Expand Democracy 5. In August, we’ll be taking a break from new content, but we look forward to sharing grouped posts from this year’s editions that we believe are...

This week’s Expand Democracy 5 is live!
🗳️ RCV and its critics
💰 Re-gerrymandering explained
💪 Expanding citizen initiatives @newamerica.org
🎬 Deliberative democracy in action
🕙 Timely links
We’re taking a break in August—so don’t miss this one!
🔗 expanddem.substack.com/p/the-expand...

🚨 New Expand Democracy 5 is live! 🚨

🕳️ Why conspiracy theories thrive in a two-party system
🌊 The rise of Japan’s “Japanese First” party
⚡ Michigan’s new push for RCV @rankmivote.bsky.social
🎓 College reform stacking
🕙 Timely links

Check it out 👉 expanddem.substack.com/p/the-expand...

House Delegation Reintroduces Fair Representation Act to Reform Congressional Elections

The Fair Representation Act @beyer.house.gov @raskin.house.gov is back in Congress to establish ranked choice voting for all U.S. Senate & U.S. House races & proportional RCV for most House races.

This is the most important electoral reform proposal of our time.
beyer.house.gov/news/documen...

I took the lead in writing The Five for @expanddemocracy.bsky.social this week. I'm particularly eager for people to share thoughts on the opening deep dive on balancing global, national and local governance.

The Expand Democracy 5: Elon’s push for a third party, turnout and RCV in NYC, preserving voting rights for the incarcerated, cancelled Miami elections, and timely links July 10th, 2025

📬 The Expand Democracy 5 is out! 📬

🚀 Elon’s third party reflects issues in the two-party system
🏆 RCV and voter turnout in NYC
⚡ Preserving rights for incarcerated citizens
❌ Cancelled Miami election sparks outrage
🕓 Timely links

🔗 Read and subscribe here: expanddem.substack.com/p/the-expand...

I was the lead writer in this week’s @ExpandDemocracy 5, with the case for Supreme Court reform, collaborative policymaking tools, faster ranked choice voting counting & more. Check it out!

New Yorkers Embraced Ranked-Choice Voting. Mamdani’s Win Proves It.

I'm sharing this @nytimes.com times link to a strong story on "New Yorkers Embraced Ranked-Choice Voting....Here are five takeaways from New York City’s second experience with ranked choice voting"

www.nytimes.com/2025/07/01/n...

How Brad Lander Helped Push Zohran Mamdani Toward Victory

See NYTimes on positive incentives in ranked choice voting elections in New York. “[RCV] shaped the competition from the beginning. It rewards a campaign style that played to Mr. Mamdani’s strengths: ever-present, on-the-street, nonstop voter engagement.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/n...

The Expand Democracy 5: Mamdani’s win under RCV, bipartisan union for citizen-initiated ballot measures, VA cuts voter data costs, voting barriers in Native American communities, and timely links June 26th, 2025

📬 The Expand Democracy 5 is out now!

🏆 How RCV reshaped Zohran Mamdani’s NYC primary win
⚡ Defense of citizen-initiated ballot measures
💸 Virginia slashes voter data costs
🚧 Persistent barriers to voting in Native American communities
🕓 Timely links

expanddem.substack.com/p/the-expand...

It was my turn to do the Five for ExpandDemocracy this week — check it out!

This week, @cynthiarterrell.bsky.social is sharing stories from: @cityandstateny.bsky.social, @us.theconversation.com, @theatlantic.com, @propublica.org, @urbanmilwaukee.com, and @lorissa.bsky.social.

If that’s what they do to a United States Senator with a question, imagine what they can do to any American that dares to speak up. We will hold this administration accountable.

The Expand Democracy 5: Psychological roots of political violence, reimagining the voter guide, Citizens’ Initiative Assemblies, allowing 17-year-olds to vote, and timely links June 12th, 2025

🚨 New Expand Democracy 5 just dropped! 🚨

🧨 The psychology of political violence in America
💡 Reimagining the voter guide
📖 Creating citizens’ initiative assemblies
⚡ Allowing 17-year-olds to vote
🕓 This week’s timely links

Read more and subscribe here: 👉

expanddem.substack.com/p/the-expand...

Maine lawmakers push to expand ranked choice voting to governor’s race The Maine Law Court issued an advisory opinion in 2017 saying the method would violate the state Constitution, but proponents say a court decision in Alaska dismantled the court's reasoning.

Big win for ranked choice voting! Congrats to Maine state legislators & groups like League of Women Voters of Maine for passing bill now going to governor to extend RCV to November elections for governor & state legislature. www.pressherald.com/2025/06/11/m...

On @wamu.org @mayorbowser.bsky.social showed shocking contempt for voters in dismissing the 73% to 27% win in 2024 for I83 & open primaries with ranked choice voting as due to "outsiders." I83 won in every precinct & by >2-to-1 in every ward. Let's support both DC statehood & democracy in DC

Had a lot to say this week in the Expand Democracy 5. Most timely analysis could be on the impact of having ranked choice voting on IE's (independent expenditures) - RCV reduces the impact of negative attack ads & the money spent on them.

Bradfield Federal Election 2025 Results Stay updated with the latest results from Bradfield in the 2025 Australian Federal Election. Get live voting updates on ABC News.

Australia uses ranked choice voting & is in the midst of a recount of an incredibly close race where an independent "teal" might oust a Liberal Party incumbent after trailing by 11% in 1st choices. Latest recount has the margin of a single vote. www.abc.net.au/news/electio...

I lead with my take on what's next for the ranked choice voting movement and address other timely topics. Check it out!

YouTube video by Unite America Majority Rules 101 (30 min cut)

Last night I attended the premiere of AJ Schneck’s strong half-hour documentary Majority Rules 101, available free to help advocacy of ranked choice voting and open primaries. I’m one of the film’s speakers explaining reforms and the trajectory of change. www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDA1...

The Expand Democracy 5 - May 15: Empowering legislatures, better RCV polling, challenges to Democratic health & timely links Welcome to the latest edition of The Expand Democracy 5. With Eveline Dowling’s assistance, we delve into: (1) how better elections could empower legislatures; (2) the 2025 World Press Freedom on dist...

Check out my latest @expanddemocracy.bsky.social weekly update - lots of analysis and timely links about strengthening our democracy in a time of disturbing challenges both here and abroad. open.substack.com/pub/expandde...

Such wonderful news. Judith recently announced she will step down from her role later this year. This prize cements her legacy - although we all have so much to do toward building upon it.

From Papal Conclaves to Congressional Seats: Lessons for a Healthier Democracy A weekly briefing on breakthrough reforms and promising practices from the front lines of democratic renewal

The latest @expanddemocracy.bsky.social weekly 5 in The Fulcrum in electing the pope, bridging, House size, press freedom, timely links
the fulcrum.us/may5-expand-democracy-5-2671883510

Australia: ranked choice voting is great for allowing choice & making more votes count, but winner-take-in-all in house poorly represents smaller parties. RCV in multi seat districts in its senate provides proportional representation. www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Australia elections: teal independents all earn reelection. Total independent winners in double digits.
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-05...

At Athens Democracy Forum @cynthiarterrell.bsky.social & I had great time talking ranked choice voting & 21st century democracy w/“teal independent” Kate Chaney. Congrats to Kate for her reelection today in Australia. See story on what being an independent means for her.
www.msn.com/en-au/news/o...

Australia has used ranked choice voting for more than a century, with both the major conservative and liberal parties having their moments. Perhaps Trump‘s recent grumpiness about RCV relates to how his brand of politics is starting to struggle with securing majority support.