You’re Invited to an AEI-hosted Book Release:
Electoral Reform in the United States: Proposals for Combating Polarization and Extremism
Edited by: Larry Diamond, Edward B. Foley, and Richard H. Pildes
Tuesday, December 10, 2024 | 8:30 AM to 12:15 PM ET
AEI Auditorium
1789 Massachusetts Avenue NW,
Washington, DC 20036
Registration & Livestream
This event will be held in person and livestreamed.
Please RSVP here.
Join us for the release of Electoral Reform in the United States: Proposals for Combating Polarization and Extremism (Lynne Rienner Publishers), a comprehensive new book that explores critical reforms to enhance the U.S. electoral system. The book is the product of a multi-year Task Force on Institutional Reforms to Combat Political Extremism, which involved political scientists, legal academics, and other scholars deliberating on what available evidence shows to be the most effective means for redressing the distortions within existing electoral procedures that cause the overrepresentation of political extremism among officeholders.
The discussion on December 10 to highlight the book’s analysis and recommendations will provide an opportunity to engage with the book’s authors, other scholars, and other thought leaders on reform strategies for reducing polarization, enhancing democratic responsiveness, and addressing the challenges facing American democracy.
About the Event
This special event is designed for journalists, policymakers, and members of the public with an interest in improving the U.S. electoral system. Key contributors will present insights from each of the book’s chapters and discuss the collaborative efforts of the Task Force that shaped the book’s proposals.
Agenda
8:30 – 9:30 AM | Introduction and Overview
Speakers: John Fortier and Richard H. Pildes
9:00 – 10:30 AM | Panel One: Electoral Systems
- 9:00 – 9:15 AM | Ballot Structures – Edward B. Foley
- 9:15 – 9:30 AM | Proportional Representation I – Lee Drutman
- 9:30 – 9:45 AM | Proportional Representation II – Richard H. Pildes
- 9:45 – 10:00 AM | Primary Elections – Rob Boatright
- 10:00 – 10:30 AM | General Discussion of Electoral Systems
10:30 – 10:45 AM | Break
10:45 – 11:15 AM | Presidential Nominations
Speakers: Richard H. Pildes & John Fortier
11:15 – 11:45 AM | Campaign Finance
Speakers: Ray La Raja & Brandice Canes-Wrone
11:45 – 12:15 PM | Concluding Observations & Prospects for Implementation of Reforms
Speaker: Larry Diamond
Each discussion will include time for Q&A with attendees.
About the Book
“This volume is a treasure trove of ideas about how to make our electoral system better—less polarized, more responsive to citizens. In it, big thinkers discuss big ideas. Their analyses are rich, detailed, and incisive. This might very well turn out to be the book that launches a thousand reforms.” — Costas Panagopoulos, Northeastern University
“At this time when distrust and partisanship are too often justifications for the status quo, the authors offer evidence-based, consensus-driven, achievable proposals to improve governance in the United States. Anyone interested in reforming US democracy should start here.” — Derek T. Muller, Notre Dame Law School
Attendees will receive a hard copy of the executive summary, with the full book will be available online on December 10, 2024.
Buy a hard copy of the book here.
We look forward to welcoming you for a stimulating conversation on how thoughtful reforms can lead to a more resilient and representative democracy.