More Equitable Democracy with Colin Cole

Rules of the Game – discussing democratic institutions

With Colin Cole I discuss the work of More Equitable Democracy, a racial justice organization to advance racial equity by transforming electoral systems. As the US electoral systems are almost exclusively built as winner-take-all elections that serve only the two parties in power, they don’t deliver fair representation. But how can more minorities’ representatives be elected into state parliaments, city councils and finally the US Congress?

Colin shares with us some of the key historical events related to electoral reforms during the Progressive Era and what we can learn from those for current and future reform efforts. A main strategy of More Equitable Democracy is to advocate for electoral reforms at the local level, where change is viable. Start small, start local, and make people experience the difference an electoral system can produce in better representing society.

Colin Cole is the Director of Policy, Outreach, and Communications of More Equitable Democracy that launched in January 2018 and serves as a nonprofit intermediary that works with communities of color to improve democratic institutions. Colin’s responsibilities include co-developing and advising on the creation of reform proposals, helping build coalitions led by traditionally underrepresented communities, and developing and maintaining relationships with strategic partners. Colin is also a co-founder of FairVote Washington, a Washington State organization dedicated to advancing proportional representation, and previously worked in political fundraising for Senator Maria Cantwell, in grassroots lobbying on progressive tax reform for All In for Washington, and the Bernie 2016 Presidential Campaign.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Find a full transcript and links to all material discussed in the show notes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠

Schedule: 00:00 Introduction / 03:53 Personal questions / 14:58 Main discussion / 57:55 Recommendations by Colin Cole.

Find the website of More Equitable Democracy ⁠here⁠.

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Please enjoy this conversation with Colin Cole.