Lessons from the history of proportional representation in America

Voters voting in 2020.

How electoral reform happens

The experiences of New Zealand, Italy, and Japan provide a template, and show how reforming electoral systems can be a powerful way to address problems of parties, legitimacy, and democracy.

September 12, 2023

  • Shaping the Democracy of Tomorrow
  • Analysis
Presidential podium in front of the White House.

Proportional representation and presidentialism

A myth haunts conversations about proportional representation in America. It is the belief that proportional representation requires a parliamentary system. We’re here to kill this myth.

September 12, 2023

  • Shaping the Democracy of Tomorrow
  • Analysis
Joe Biden and Donald Trump at the 2020 presidential debate.

Proportional representation and political parties

Under PR, a party’s share of members in a legislature would roughly match its share of the vote in the last election, even for parties that only get 10 or 20 percent of the vote.

September 12, 2023

  • Shaping the Democracy of Tomorrow
  • Analysis

What is the Big Lie?

The Big Lie is the false claim that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump and that the Republicans who affirmed Biden’s victory were part of a conspiracy to defeat their own party’s president

August 15, 2023

  • Defending the Rule of Law
  • Protecting Elections
  • Safeguarding the Public Square
  • Analysis

Towards Proportional Representation for the U.S. House

Replacing winner-take-all elections with a proportional system of representation could curb gerrymandering; increase the share of competitive congressional seats; and expand representation.

March 28, 2023

  • Shaping the Democracy of Tomorrow
  • Reports