Vote for US: How to Take Back Our Elections and Change the Future of Voting

by Joshua A. Douglas

An expert on US election law presents an encouraging assessment of current efforts to make our voting system more accessible, reliable, and effective.

In contrast to the anxiety surrounding our voting system, with stories about voter suppression and manipulation, there are actually quite a few positive initiatives toward voting rights reform. Professor Joshua A. Douglas, an expert on our electoral system, examines these encouraging developments in this inspiring book about how regular Americans are working to take back their democracy, one community at a time.

Told through the narratives of those working on positive voting rights reforms, Douglas includes chapters on expanding voter eligibility, easing voter registration rules, making voting more convenient, enhancing accessibility at the polls, providing voters with more choices, finding ways to comply with voter ID rules, giving redistricting back to the voters, pushing back on big money through local and state efforts, using journalism to make the system more accountable, and improving civics education. At the end, the book includes an appendix that lists organizations all over the country working on these efforts.

Unusually accessible for a lay audience and thoroughly researched, this book gives anyone fed up with our current political environment the ideas and tools necessary to affect change in their own communities.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published April 9, 2019

Reviews

[Kat Kunz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent analysis of common-sense, achievable, non-partisan ways in which we can enfranchise more voters. Ultimately, voting should be both second-nature and easy to accomplish, without undue hurdles, and Prof. Douglas provides real-life examples of ways that ordinary citizens have helped their communities reach these goals. Full disclosure: Josh is a friend, but even David Leonhardt of the NYT agrees that these are great ideas. It's a fast and inspiring read that I highly recommend.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vote For Us is a great read. It is essential for anyone interested in local or national politics. Douglas does an exceptional job illustrating how everyday citizens can affect change. The format is clear, entertaining and educational. I am involved with politics but learned a lot reading experiences of people getting involved.

I am a League of Women Voters Board Member responsible for Voter Services activities. In my role, I plan to recommend and refer this book to other League members and volunteers, and anyone else who wants a more effectual and fair election process.

The Portland League hosted Douglas at Powell's this summer. It was a pleasure meeting him and his family. He is a quite passionate about this topic, and it comes through in his writing. It inspired me to do even more. I believe there is an a collective energy emerging in our country to change the status quo. Per Mr. Douglas, "I hope you know your voice makes a difference. I hope you recognize the change you can create". I hope Mr. Douglas is right.

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book through the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review.

This book is an inspiring call to civic action. Highlighting gerrymandering and other forms of voter suppression Douglas also proposes solutions that strengthen democracy such as lowering the voting age for local elections and Ranked Choice Voting.

I was surprised that I hadn't heard some of these ideas before but am glad I have now. This book acts as a guide to make sure voting is accessible to everyone to fulfill the try belief of democracy.

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never been interested in US politics because let’s face it, it’s a shit show. As I’m looking to move elsewhere, I find myself wondering more about how things work and how they can change. This is a good start on how to impact change on a local level and how it can grow and change things on a larger scale. It’s not a bad read for the basics. There are entire groups of people who should read it but most especially those third party voters in a presidential election. Those fools really need to sort themselves out.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vote For Us does a great job of reviewing a variety of electoral reforms that could have a significant impact on democracy in the United States. As an added bonus, each of these reforms is explored through the lens of local actions taken by someone who genuinely wanted to make a change to fix something that frustrated them. It's a fantastic way of sharing these ideas and making it clear that anyone can change the world, even if it's just their own local world.

[Lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good guide for boosting voter turnout in the United States. Our democracy has a lower turnout than most countries. It contains suggestions such as ranked voting which Maine and a few states have and automatic registration when citizens turn 18. It also discusses making it easier for disabled and elderly people to vote.

[Katie Shultz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of resources and practical examples of local and state level leadership to make elections more accessible and fair.

[Leah Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend. Quick read that should be a must read for everyone. Talks about possible election reform while remaining nonpartisan.

[Marisa Markowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Douglas provides a valuable collection of stories, ideas and evidence on how we can improve our democracy and limit the disenfranchisement of so many voters.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Look at policies, rules etc across the states. Sharing what works can spread to other states.