One of the biggest surprises of the 2020 election may turn out to be turnout. Traditionally, a smaller percentage of American voters participate in elections than in many other democracies around the world. But this year, early voting hit a record high, with tens of millions of mail-in ballots, and very long lines at many polling places.

In this episode, we look at a highly innovative, successful initiative to use the internet to boost the number of voters in elections. "Our mission" says the non-profit group Democracy Works "is to make voting a simple, seamless experience for all Americans, so that no one misses an election." 

Democracy Works CEO and co-founder. Seth Flaxman is our guest. "At the end of the day, we think every American is going to want a sort of service, like a concierge, helping them to vote in the election," he says. "Even people who say they never miss elections sign up to get the reminders."

This episode is funded with a grant from Solutions Journalism Network as part of "Renewing Democracy", to encourage reporting about how people and institutions are trying to reinvigorate democracy in communities across the country.

Democracy Works is affiliated with Bridge Alliance, a coalition of over 100 organizations dedicated to U.S. revitalization. With each organization focusing on a different sector of the movement, its members represent a combined three million supporters in the burgeoning field of civic reform and civil discourse.

Recommendation: Jim is listening to Commentary podcast, a daily discussion of conservative opinion by editors of the well-known magazine.

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