Democracy + Elections
Because healthy governments deliver sound solutions.
At Sightline, we believe a sustainable Cascadia starts with a healthy democracy. Without fair elections and functional governments, progress stalls on our shared priorities, like abundant housing options and a robust clean energy future.
That’s why one of our core programs is Democracy and Elections. We’re fixing the broken systems that empower extremists, shut out voters, and limit real choice.
When democracy works, everything else can, too.
Featured priorities
✅ Ranked choice voting and unified primaries, like the system that’s working for Alaskans
📊 Proportional representation, explaining the model that just delivered Portland, Oregon’s most representative city council ever
💵 Campaign finance reform, like Seattle’s democracy vouchers, that give regular people a say
📆 Election consolidation, like voters in Oregon and Wyoming enjoy, which boosts voter turnout more than any other reform, would save millions in taxpayer dollars in Western states, and is popular across the political spectrum
Video: Proportional representation, explained
Across North America, winner-take-all elections make a zero-sum game of our democracy, driving division and leaving voters disenchanted.
There’s a better way, though. Proportional representation awards seats in proportion to voters’ actual support. There’s room for more viewpoints, more nuance, more collaboration—and best of all, more voters feeling heard in the decisions that shape their lives. Learn more in Sightline’s two-minute explainer below, and on our intro page.
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Hear directly from our Democracy and Elections experts, including behind-the-scenes context and analysis (delivered approx. monthly).
SubscribeLatest research + analysis
How to Close Montana Primary Elections’ ‘Drop-and-Swap’ Loophole
Sen. Steve Daines gamed the system to all but hand-pick his successor. A Missouri-style deadline extension would prevent such backroom deals.
Latest articles
How to Close Montana Primary Elections’ ‘Drop-and-Swap’ Loophole
From Peltola to Begich, Ranked Choice Voting Delivered What Alaskans Wanted
Five Ways Election Reform Has Revamped Alaska Politics
Video: Proportional Representation, Explained
Meet the Team
Shannon Grimes
Lead Researcher
Shannon is the Lead Researcher of Sightline’s Democracy program, where she focuses on securing electoral reforms in Washington and Oregon.
Jay Lee
Researcher
Jay is a Researcher with Sightline Institute, primarily working on electoral upgrades across Cascadia.
Al Vanderklipp
Researcher
Al is a Researcher at Sightline Institute, with a focus on election systems in the Northern Rockies.
Todd Newman
Fellow
Todd Newman is a fellow with Sightline Institute studying municipal election timing. He is also a recently retired programmer.
Our research in the news
Do voters want more parties…or more choices?
DemocracySOS
Why get in a lather over a lil’ ol’ county map?
The Source Weekly (Bend OR)
Resources for Journalists
Our researchers can provide commentary, interviews, story ideas, background information, or serve as expert sources across our program areas. If we can’t comment on an issue ourselves, chances are we know someone who can.
The good policy decisions that lead to greater sustainability rely on a healthy democracy. But politics too frequently derail good and popular ideas that even the majority of people support.
Sightline’s nonpartisan Democracy and Elections program advances fixes for Cascadia’s electoral systems that put more leaders in office willing to fight for what most people want: homes they can afford near where they work, learn, and play; good-paying jobs that support their families; clean, efficient transportation options; and clean air and water in a healthy climate.
To this end, we envision a democracy that is more fair and inclusive, and that honestly reflects the values and needs of “we the people.” We focus on a variety of solutions, including stifling extreme partisanship through open primaries, allowing voters more freedom to express their true preferences through ranked choice voting and proportional representation, and expanding and protecting voting access for all.
Learn more about our Democracy + Elections research projects below.
Open primaries and ranked choice voting in Alaska
Learn more about Alaska’s open pick-one primaries and ranked choice voting election system
Multi-member districts and ranked choice voting in Portland, Oregon
Portlanders are changing their elections and how city hall works for them
$30 million
How much ID, MT, and WA could save by moving local elections to even years
52%
How many Alaska voters opted to choose a mix of candidates from different parties, under open primaries in 2022
1.2 million
How many more Washingtonians voted in 2022’s legislative elections vs. 2021’s local elections
Latest research + analysis
How to Close Montana Primary Elections’ ‘Drop-and-Swap’ Loophole
Sen. Steve Daines gamed the system to all but hand-pick his successor. A Missouri-style deadline extension would prevent such backroom deals.