About Fortify Democracy
Fortify Democracy is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization focused on preventing further authoritarian capture of American democratic institutions through comprehensive electoral reform. As a 501(c)(4) nonprofit, Fortify Democracy operates primarily to further the common good and general welfare of the American people by promoting electoral systems that ensure representative democracy and competent governance.
Our approach centers on building an unprecedented cross-partisan coalition around a specific solution that mathematically prevents extremist political capture while advancing social welfare through improved democratic institutions.
What We Support: Comprehensive Electoral Reform
Nonpartisan Primary Structure: All candidates appear on one ballot, all voters can participate regardless of party registration. At least four candidates advance to general election.
Approval Voting: Voters can approve as many candidates as they want, and each selection carries the same weight. This eliminates the problems that empower extremism: vote splitting and the spoiler effect.
National Popular Vote: The reforms we support will necessitate the end of the Electoral College to ensure that all voices are heard and that no voter is led to believe their vote won’t make a difference. Every vote counts.
Mathematical Prevention of Extremism: This specific design requires candidates to appeal broadly rather than just to narrow bases, making extremist capture mathematically difficult rather than relying on voter education or cultural change.
What We Envision: Permanent Democratic Infrastructure
Functional Democracy: A United States with electoral systems that mathematically prevent extremist capture regardless of party.
Competent Governance: Leaders selected through broad appeal requirements rather than base mobilization.
Choice Liberation: Every American gets real choices rather than forced compromises between unwanted party packages.
Global Leadership: America as the international model for democratic innovation and governance competence.
501(c)(4) Organizational Structure and Activities
Primary Purpose - Social Welfare: Fortify Democracy operates primarily to promote the general welfare of the American people through electoral system reform that ensures representative democracy and competent governance. Our electoral reform initiatives directly serve social welfare by creating democratic systems that are responsive to broad public interests rather than narrow partisan bases.
Permissible Political Activities: As a 501(c)(4) organization, Fortify Democracy may engage in political activities in support of electoral reform candidates and initiatives, provided such activities do not constitute our primary purpose. Our political activities are directly related to our exempt purpose of promoting social welfare through democratic reform and include:
Supporting candidates who advocate for electoral reform measures
Advocating for or against ballot initiatives related to electoral systems
Engaging in legislative advocacy to promote electoral reform legislation
Educating voters about electoral reform solutions and their benefits
Lobbying Activities: Fortify Democracy may engage in unlimited lobbying activities related to our exempt purpose of promoting electoral reform as social welfare. Our lobbying efforts focus on educating legislators about the benefits of approval voting and nonpartisan primaries for improving democratic representation and governance competence.
Membership and Donations: Donations to Fortify Democracy are not tax-deductible for donors. Members and supporters are informed that their contributions support social welfare activities aimed at improving democratic institutions and that such contributions are not deductible as charitable donations.