| League of Women Voters La Plata | Durango Telegraph |
A real democracy depends on vibrant contests, meaningful choice and leaders who answer to the people.
Appeal to a broader spectrum
A healthy democracy relies on competition with the best ideas rising through a genuine contest of vision and values. Gerrymandering undermines competitive elections by creating “safe” districts, where one party is virtually guaranteed victory. When competition disappears, the critical contest shifts to primary elections – races dominated by the most ideologically extreme voters. This dynamic forces candidates to cater to the fringes rather than the broad center, ultimately promoting polarization and discouraging moderation. Introducing reforms such as open primaries and ranked choice voting can incentivize candidates to appeal to a broader spectrum, helping to restore healthy competition.