Spotlight Report 2021: Protect and Advance Democracy

By an Academy Staff Working Group: Dr. Joseph P. Mitchell III, Jillian McGuffey, and James Higgins

Protecting & Advancing Democracy: Protect Electoral Integrity, Modernize the Public Service, Develop New Approaches to Public Governance, and Advance National Interests in a Changing Global Context

The US derives its strength from democratic principles, and it has protected and improved upon them to build a more perfect union over time. Looking into a future global environment that is increasingly complex and always changing, the U.S. must not lose sight of its foundation. It must:

• Ensure that its own elections are fair and free of foreign interference;
• Secure the ability and opportunity for every eligible citizen to vote;
• Deliver services to the public consistently, efficiently, and effectively;

• Develop its human talent through workforce programs and advanced hiring practices to ensure the quality of its public servants;
• Enhance public governance and engagement structures to harness the insights of the public and deliver the best public services; and
• Manage in an interconnected world, and partner with like-minded countries to deter those that seek to undermine these democratic principles.

This spotlight report focuses on the Grand Challenges, Protect Electoral Integrity, Modernize the Public Service, Develop New Approaches to Public Service, and Advance National Interests in a Changing Global Context. This working paper is a follow-up to the Election 2020 reports produced by Academy Fellows and also documents some illustrative actions underway at the state and local levels. This paper is a work-in-progress that will be expanded upon in 2022, especially through a greater focus on non-federal actions.

READ THE REPORT

Please visit the Election 2020 Homepage for the original action plans.