All the initiative’s work will be conducted transparently and regularly communicated to the public and media. Transparent communication channels will be established with formal professional associations of elected officials and policymakers. The objective will be to inform them of the initiative’s goals so they recognize its value, and are receptive to working with state coalitions and the public on adoption of the Democracy Roadmaps’ comprehensive recommendations when publicly released.

Public sector reforms could include legislation, regulations or constitutional amendments. Private sector reforms would be actionable by civil society. Examples of reform topics that the People’s Assembly might consider in their deliberations include: limiting the political influence of big money; electoral reforms making elections more competitive; mandating greater transparency by elected officials; expanding civics education; independent redistricting reform; regulation to combat disinformation; increasing nonpartisan investments (from government, philanthropy, and communities) in civic and voter mobilization; creating more direct democracy pathways; democracy vouchers; and other participatory reforms.

This initiative will directly address low levels of awareness of democratic government norms by building on existing levels of support for U.S. democracy. It will acknowledge the common belief that our democratic institutions and elected officials don’t accurately represent the people’s needs, as well as the low levels of trust in government due to the differential experiences of U.S. communities. This initiative will address historic and current systemic barriers to democratic participation (resulting in disparate outcomes) by building a new democracy that is representative of the needs of all Americans and that ensures equitable and accessible pathways for participation and representation. Americans from all communities will benefit from this sustainable outcome.

We note that the state civics campaigns would also serve as a resource for elected officials, other decision makers and media who may need nonpartisan information and materials to cite when publicly explaining/defending democratic norms and good governance practices.