German Marshall Fund of the United States’ Post

Let's talk about elections - because this year is set to be a doozy. "2024 will pose a major test of democratic rule as an estimated 4 billion people in more than 50 nations — almost half the world’s population — are set to vote in national elections, with the outcomes likely to shape global politics for years or decades to come." (VOA) Hand on heart, I know I'm an election geek, but this is a big deal. And if you have ever worked around any kind of election you'll know that the voting pool is more like a puddle - far more people choose NOT to vote than those who do. So what are we going to do about it? I'm not sure another arty shot of a ballot box with a catchy slogan (come on, we've all done it!) is going to do it. We need a comprehensive re-think about how we engage with the disengaged and make voting relevant. And if we're really going to dream, I'd love to see it looked at collaboratively, instead of watching every local authority / state / provincial / national comms team try to reinvent the not-fit-for-purpose wheel. #Elections #AudienceEngagement #Comms #FridayMusings

Insightful Article! This Britannica article traces the evolution of elections, showing how voting systems have adapted to societal changes over time. From exclusive processes to today’s more democratic systems, elections have always reflected the values of their era. Technology will certainly continue to transform the way we vote. Issues such as accessibility and transparency remain at the forefront, with modern platforms addressing these challenges through secure, inclusive solutions. The future of elections is bright, but much remains to be done to ensure fairness for all. Let us know how you envision the future of voting! https://lnkd.in/dfDa_9ub

While much attention is focused on the presidential elections, there are more than 20,000 other posts up for grabs in Mexico on June 2. This week I analyse these "other elections" in The Economist: https://lnkd.in/gupYsK6q #mexico #elections #politics #latinamerica #democracy

The November election is a great big deal: We call it a “presidential” election, but there will also be races for 33 U.S. Senate seats, all 435 U.S. House seats, 5,793 state legislative seats along with thousands of other offices and ballot questions.   But the U.S. is by no means the only country with big-deal elections this year. Seventy-six other countries hold national elections in 2024, according to the International Federation for Electoral Systems. Many have made headlines already: Taiwan in January, France in June and the United Kingdom in July. Learn more from the National Conference of State Legislatures. #NCSL #elections https://lnkd.in/gNUSKqB8

Use this resource to learn more about federal elections in Canada! It is never too early to learn about what a federal election is, what it determines, how to vote, and why you should vote.

French Left Coalition Triumphs Over Far Right in Election Surprise Title: French Left Coalition Surprises in Elections, Overcoming Far Right In a surprising turn of events, the French left-wing coalition, the New Popular Front, has emerged victorious in the nation’s parliamentary elections, overturning expectations and delivering a significant upset over the far-right National Rally. This remarkable outcome, which has stirred the political landscape, is being widely discussed and has become one of the most trending topics on Google today. Historic Voter Turnout The elections, held on July 7, 2024, witnessed a dramatic rise in voter turnout, reaching levels not seen in decades. This surge in civic participation is being credited […] https://lnkd.in/dDK9QVcv https://lnkd.in/dCiqFQBe

📢 Spotlight on Local Democracy! 🗳️ Explore the crucial role of local election officials in maintaining the integrity of our democratic process. Our latest roundup on The Journalist’s Resource dives into the challenges they face, from misinformation to budget constraints, and highlights their dedication to ensuring fair elections. 🗳️🔍 #LocalElections #DemocracyInAction #ElectionIntegrity #JournalismMatters

With 7 weeks until #ElectionDay, most of the focus will be on which party will control the #WhiteHouse and #Congress. Understandably, there’s less attention paid to the vacancies those elections might create and what that could mean for #publicpolicy. In this blog, we examine the potential consequences of the upcoming elections. 👀👇 https://hubs.ly/Q02PSgv70

The US political framework and election process are intricate, involving various institutions, voting systems, and party dynamics. The bicameral structure of Congress, the distinct roles of the House and Senate, different levels of elections, and the influence of political parties all contribute to a robust and dynamic democratic system. Read More: https://lnkd.in/gDzjr_FK.

The French Election Upheaval: A Path to a New Political Exchequer? France has been experiencing significant political turmoil for a number of years, which has changed the country's electoral environment. Voters' deep dissatisfaction and desire for change are reflected in the rise of new groups, the fracturing of the old political landscape, and the decline of historic parties. The emergence of fresh movements like Marine Le Pen's National Rally and Jean-Luc Mélenchon's La France Insoumise first shook up traditional parties. With the help of radical ideas and populist rhetoric, these groups succeeded in expressing the frustration of a certain percentage of society, especially young people and the working classes, who were not happy with the policies implemented by the major parties. Simultaneously, the political scene has become more fragmented. This fragmentation, which is frequently associated with the emergence of social networks and the individualization of voting, has encouraged political instability. It has made it challenging to create durable majorities. Finally, historically significant parties like the Socialist Party and the Republicans have witnessed a significant decline in popularity. These formerly powerful groups' collapse is associated with a decline in public trust and an incapacity to fulfil societal expectations. There are various important considerations regarding the future of French politics raised by this political upheaval. Conventional parties' function: How can traditional parties adjust to contemporary political concerns and win back the public's trust? The effects of recent moves How does a stable democratic system accommodate new movements that are frequently propelled by populist speeches? The split-up confusion: In an environment of growing fragmentation, how can stable majorities and efficient political operations be achieved? Though it will be challenging to forecast French politics going forward, it is certain that the electoral landscape is evolving. At a crossroads, France must restructure its political structure to suit societal expectations and ensure national stability. This is an important task. This fundamental pattern of French electoral upheaval is not confined to the upcoming elections. It will take time to determine the exact shape of these changes, but they upend established political patterns and pave the way for novel election arrangements.