Year in Review 2021

Each year since 2014 when we launched the Political Reform program at New America seems to have brought some new twist or challenge in the long quest to achieve the promise of democracy in the United States, and 2021 may have been the most challenging yet. The year started with hope, as the 2020 election had concluded without any of the worst-case scenarios of an uncertain outcome, but immediately descended into unprecedented political violence and a wave of state legislation intended to limit voting and politicize election administration. 

Throughout the year, we’ve tried to meet the moment of crisis, while not losing sight of the longer-term structural and social reforms needed to connect Americans to each other and to democratic government. In this year-end report, we look back on our work in 2021, ranging from the letter we organized signed by almost 200 scholars of democracy urging quick action on voting rights, to our work elevating collaborative governance at the local level and exploring the prospects for real multi-party democracy.

We hope you’ll continue to follow and find value in our work in the year ahead.