Through the Unite America Fund, we invest in nonpartisan electoral reform campaigns and work to elect pro-reform candidates so that the right leaders have the right incentives to solve our country's largest greatest problems.
Even when we agree, our politicians do nothing. It’s because they’ve stopped serving we, the people. In order to get elected — and re-elected — they’re serving their campaign donors, special interest groups, and party bosses.
It wasn’t always this way, and it doesn’t need to stay this way.
Watch this video about the two-party doom loop to better understand the problem.
Elected officials have been discouraged from working across the aisle to find solutions to the problems we care about because they fear their own parties’ political extremes. Why?
Both parties rigged the rules to protect their own power, from drawing their own district lines to discriminating against third parties. The result? Primary elections are the only election that matters in the vast majority of “safe” legislative districts.
80% of Congressional districts are considered “safe” for one party
Relatively few voters participate in primary elections, and over 11 million independent voters remain disenfranchised from participating in primaries. Too many obstacles remain between voters and their ability to cast a secure ballot.
19.9% of eligible voters cast a primary ballot in 2018
With party primaries dominated by a small number of party activists and well-funded special interest groups, politicians generally escape accountability from the rest of their constituency.
100% of members of Congress who lost in their primaries in 2018 were defeated by a challenger from extreme left or right
of Congressional districts are considered “safe” for one party
of eligible voters cast a primary ballot in 2018
of members of Congress who lost in their primaries in 2018 were defeated by a challenger from their extreme left or right
We support four, nonpartisan election reforms — already in place in many states across the country — that can increase competition and participation in our elections, and in the process, fundamentally improve governing incentives.
Partisan gerrymandering allows politicians to protect their own power by creating “safe” districts that limit competition from other parties.
Independent Redistricting Commissions take the power of drawing district lines away from self-interested politicians.
Voters fear supporting independent or third party candidates will “spoil” the election and cause their least preferred candidate to be elected.
Ranked choice voting ends the “spoiler” effect by allowing voters to rank their candidates according to preference and ensuring a majority winner.
In 18 states, independent voters are either prohibited from voting in party primary elections or face restrictions.
Open & nonpartisan primaries empower all registered voters, including independents, to participate in taxpayer-funded primary elections.
Voters face limited opportunities to cast a ballot and long lines at the polls on Election Day — often leaving just the most die-hard partisans to participate.
Vote by Mail provides a more convenient, accessible, and secure option for all voters to research and cast a more informed ballot.
In order to make some of these structural changes, we need the right leaders in place to get them passed. That’s why we also support candidates in both parties’ primaries and elect leaders who are pragmatic,
pro-reform, and put people over party.
A small number of extreme voters and well-funded issue-groups have disproportionate influence in primary elections.
Unite America serves as a counter-balance by mobilizing political, grassroots, and financial resources to support pro-reform candidates — and to oppose the most extreme and corrupt incumbent elected officials.
Instead of fueling the problem, more resources need to go to fixing it.
There are already many great organizations, campaigns, and candidates working to put voters first. The Unite America Fund aims to scale and accelerate this momentum by significantly increasing investment in a diversified portfolio through our philanthropic venture fund and nonpartisan donor community.
Through the Unite America Fund, we invest in nonpartisan electoral reform campaigns and work to elect pro-reform candidates so that the right leaders have the right incentives to solve our country's largest greatest problems.
