Championing impartial elections and concrete policy solutions that strengthen American democracy.

Election Reformers Network aims to end partisan and insider control over elections. Favoring neither the left nor the right, we lead a U.S. movement to ensure that country comes first, not party. ​

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WHY WE CARE

Fair, functioning democracy is important

Polarization like we’ve never seen

A range of powerful forces act together to make America an increasingly divided country. These influences are woven into the core elements of our life: from social media algorithms that incentivize anger, to 24-hour news cycles that retain viewers by amplifying a false dichotomy of far left and far right.

Even where and with whom people choose to live can become a political matter. No one person or side is to blame, but we have everything to lose if we don’t strengthen the core institutions of our nation to withstand this new polarizing reality.

Elections rules from another century

Polarization is worsened by an archaic set of election rules left over from a bygone political era. We place parties in charge of everything from voting rules, to district lines, to election oversight. These practices overrepresent the extremes and discourage common ground.

Meanwhile, peer democracies have innovated, upgrading election systems to require impartiality, encourage compromise, reduce conflicts of interest, and sustain broad participation and trust. Evidence-based solutions exist; we only need the will to implement them.

Democracy breaking down

Rising polarization colliding against outdated and hyper-partisan systems could soon lead to a complete breakdown in American democracy.

No system can ever be all things to all people, but we won’t make headway on any of the issues Americans care about until we move past polarization and operate within an impartial, trusted, fair governance system. America’s democratic republic relies on an election ecosystem that works – for today, tomorrow, and the next generation.  

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HIGHLIGHTS

What’s new and noteworthy at ERN

Post-Election Statement: National Steering Committee on Trusted Elections
November 8, 2024

Post-Election Statement: National Steering Committee on Trusted Elections

The National Steering Committee on Trusted Elections issued a public statement regarding the 2024 election outcomes, honoring candidates who conceded with grace, commending election officials who managed a fair process, and urging newly elected leaders to protect our country’s institutions and system of Constitutional checks and balances.

It's Election Week! We are busy supporting voter understanding and trust
November 5, 2024

It's Election Week! We are busy supporting voter understanding and trust

Our team is proud to spearhead the Election Overtime project, which equips reporters to accurately cover close and contested elections and strengthen voter understanding.

OP-ED: This election night, the media can better explain how results work
October 30, 2024

OP-ED: This election night, the media can better explain how results work

ERN's Kevin Johnson and Issue One's Nick Penniman on the importance of intentional Election Night coverage.

What Voters Need to Know About Presidential Elections
October 15, 2024

What Voters Need to Know About Presidential Elections

Election Overtime - a project of the Election Reformers Network - has released a guide to help voters navigate the presidential election process.

OP-ED: Electoral College rules are a problem. A worst-case tie may be ahead.
October 31, 2024

OP-ED: Electoral College rules are a problem. A worst-case tie may be ahead.

Kevin Johnson and Alex Keyssar on the possibility of a tie in the Electoral College.

Understanding the Electoral Count Reform Act
October 11, 2024

Understanding the Electoral Count Reform Act

ERN in the media: One of the most important things to remember as we approach election day is that in 2020 our election institutions held, despite unprecedented threats, and they’ve been reinforced since.