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Constructive Conflict Guide > Civic Knowledge and Skills That We Can Use to Help Ourselves and Our Society More Constructively Handle Intractable Conflict > Constructively Handling Disputes That Can't Be Resolved with Mutually Acceptable Agreements
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BI Article
Elections
Elections are a cornerstone of democracy and, hence, figure prominently in democratization efforts around the world. This essay explores different electoral systems, elections in post-conflict situations, and the role of the international community in election monitoring.
BI Article
Election Monitoring
Elections are a key component of democratization. Timing and credibility are critical however. This essay examines both and explores the use of election monitors as an approach to ensuring the integrity of the elections.
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Electoral Processes
Electoral processes have been widely challenged with charges of gerrymandering, voter suppression, illegitimate voters, erroneous counting, and unfair (though legal) procedures (such as the U.S. electoral college which sometimes allows a candidate who lost the popular vote still win the presidential election).
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Preserve Electoral Integrity and Continuity
Free and fair elections are at the core of all democratic systems. Voters need confidence that they can always replace unpopular leaders. This requires a wide range of efforts to preserve electoral integrity and the rule of law.
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US Electoral Politics
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Election Integrity
False claims of fraud are driving attempts to interfere with the independent, nonpartisan counting of votes and certification of election results. The Brennan Center explains why this matters and what to do about it.
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Election Integrity
There is more to democracy than free and fair elections, but there can be no democracy without them. A set of articles from Freedom House on assuring electoral integrity.
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Protect Electoral Integrity and Enhance Voter Participation
An analysis from the National Academy of Public Administration, looking especially at the role of public agencies and administrators in ensuring fair and safe elections.
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ABA's Defending Democracy Initiative
The Defending Democracy initiative educates the public on the important role that election workers play in our democratic process and promotes the public's trust in our electoral process
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Rebound in Confidence: American Democracy and the 2022 Midterm Elections
A report from Bright Line Watch that found that public confidence in the American election processes improved after the November 2022 midterm elections.
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National Association of Nonpartisan Reformers (NANR)
An association dedicated to structural election reforms that advance the public's interest in robust political competition and a level playing field.
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Finding Common Ground on Election Reform
Free and fair elections are at the cornerstone of our democracy, yet many Americans feel disenfranchised about their ability to cast a ballot. Can we reach agreement on how to fix that?
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The Carter Center and Team Democracy Unite to Advance Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections
This strategic alliance aims to strengthen the core values of democracy and electoral integrity as defined in the Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections, a national, cross-partisan effort.
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Faces of Democracy
A campaign of election officials and poll workers to strengthen U.S. elections
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How religious communities are working to ensure a free & fair election
To protect democracy you have to bring together a broad coalition of people who might have major disagreements on politics and policy but who are willing to come together to prioritize its defense. A discussion with Emma Addams of Mormon Women for Ethical Government.
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The Hewlett Foundation's U.S. Democracy Program
The U.S. Democracy Program makes grants to strengthen America's electoral and governing institutions and, in doing so, build public trust in our democracy.
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Local Election Officials Survey --- May 2024
Since 2020, 92 percent of local election officials have taken steps to increase election security for voters, election workers, and election infrastructure.
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The Carter Center U.S. Elections Project
The Center is working to support US elections by providing objective information about the election process and advancing good practices in transparency.
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What Worries You About the Other Side?
A list of election planning and communication resources compiled by Nealin Parker from Common Ground USA and Kristin Hansen from the Civic Health Project to help organizations respond to election tensions more effectively.
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Elections, Democratic Processes
A collection of resources compiled by the TRUST Network on keeping elections fair, free, and safe.
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Democracy Playbook 2025
From Brookings, thoughts about how we might better protect the integrity of elections, promote the rule of law, combat corruption, and counter disinformation.
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Principles for Trusted Elections
The Principles for Trusted Elections is a cross-partisan national program helping to restore voters' confidence along six dimensions: honest process, nonviolent campaigning, secure voting, responsible oversight, and trusted outcomes.