RUN 51: How Women Will Reform Democracy

Model and Strategy

Amid a pandemic and election year, Vote Run Lead is relentlessly focused on transforming state legislatures to majority female, where diverse women enact pro-democracy voting and structural reforms. COVID-19 has revealed the fragility of our democracy and grave consequences when leaders are unwilling to create fair systems. Vote Run Lead will propel leaders who will protect democracy at the state level and whose participation will further gender and racial justice. The system has lost effectiveness. Nonpartisan govtrack.us says that political gridlock results in 75% fewer laws passed compared to 40 years ago. And, the current system leaves out millions of citizens who are unable to participate in our democracy due to archaic voting rules, money in politics, and gerrymandered districts. Women’s participation can change this. Studies show women in state legislatures increases productivity and efficiency; they turn bills into law 2x as often as their male peers and send 9% more funds back to their districts. Yet women comprise less than 25% of government. Vote Run Lead will be a thought-leader on women’s impact on democratic reform and will train women to be effective legislators.

Impact

Number of women trained to run for office, targeting state legislatures, where critical legislation such as voter access, redistricting, and more is decided;

Number of women trained with a structural reform toolkit, learning strategies for greater voter participation, voter access, ranked-choice voting, and independent state-level initiatives;

Number of partners (groups & individuals) with whom we can share a “playbook” of learnings related to this project, an outline of the geo- and culturally specific details that affect the process of voting, becoming and staying civically engaged, running for office, and more; and

Number of pieces written about this work, marking a change in the conversation.

Vote Run Lead