This Deep Dive examines The Fulcrum's fifth issue of "Expand Democracy," which provides an excellent overview of the latest democratic reform efforts and challenges within the United States. The Deep Dive explores ranked-choice voting, discussing its benefits and the criticisms it faces, particularly in the context of recent New York City primaries. Another section examines the issue of gerrymandering, specifically highlighting its impact on electoral competitiveness in Texas and proposing the Fair Representation Act as a solution. Furthermore, the texts address the expansion of citizen-led initiatives, detailing their potential to bridge the gap between public preference and policy outcomes while also acknowledging concerns and suggesting safeguards. Finally, the sources consider deliberative democracy as a means to combat hyperpartisanship and rebuild trust, showcasing an experiment in Pennsylvania where face-to-face discussions shifted political opinions towards the center.

The article upon which the Deep Dive is based is at: https://thefulcrum.us/democracy/aug-1-expand-democracy-2673798524