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Powerful solutions to today’s divided politics

Today’s political system isn’t working in the public interest. Let’s fix it. Let’s make all votes count. Let’s make elected officials accountable to all voters, putting country ahead of party—people first, not politics.

Americans want a healthy democracy

75% of Americans believe candidates should have to earn MAJORITY support to win every election
 
91% of Americans believe ALL voters should be able to vote for ANY candidate in EVERY  taxpayer-funded election
 
But that’s not true in the U.S., nor in Maryland.  And because of that, we have …

Polarization

A majority of voters believe that electing the other party would create lasting harm (UVA Center for Politics, Oct 2023).

Americans are more divided than ever.

Gridlock

86% of voters say the parties are more focused on fighting each other than on solving problems (Pew Research Center, Sept 2023).

What voters really care about is not likely to be addressed.

My Vote Doesn’t Matter

60% of voters feel unheard (Congressional Institute, Feb 2017), and more than 70% of Americans don’t believe Congress listens to the concerns of their constituents (Pew Research Center, Sept 2023).

Voters feel unheard and not well represented.

Democracy
at Risk

60% of voters feel unheard (Congressional Institute, Feb 2017), and more than 70% of Americans don’t believe Congress listens to the concerns of their constituents (Pew Research Center, Sept 2023).

Voters feel unheard and not well represented.

The greatest threat to American democracy is polarization

–according to The Economist

Product Designer

The result of today’s civic dysfunction

Candidates move further to partisan extremes to secure a win in the primary, fueling polarization and preventing constructive problem solving once elected. In other words: GRIDLOCK.

Simply put, if an elected official acts in the broad public interest, they are likely to lose their job in the next election.

Marylanders deserve a healthy democracy

Exciting innovations are being tested across the country that can change the dynamics of elections in the U.S. By restoring competition to our elections, we can:
 

  • Encourage candidates to seek broader support from the electorate.

  • Give legislators the freedom and accountability to work for the public good by proposing and supporting consensus solutions to today’s challenges, without jeopardizing re-election.

  • Increase voter participation, and ensure that every voter believes that their vote counts.

  • Improve civil discourse and reduce toxic campaigning.

  • Reduce partisan factions and incentivize problem-solving in government.

  • Restore confidence in American democracy.

 
These election reforms are not designed to change who wins elections.
They are designed to change what winning candidates do while campaigning, and while governing.

The benefits of election innovation

All votes will count—Winners will be chosen by a majority of the electorate, and elected leaders will be accountable to a broader share of voters.

The end of gridlock—Legislators can work across the aisle, deal powerfully with trade-offs, bargain effectively, and deliver consensus solutions to complex challenges, because those actions are more likely to be rewarded in the next election.

All Votes Count Maryland
We are a bipartisan group of Marylanders working to fulfill the promise of American democracy by making sure that all votes count.
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