Joshua Heinrich’s Post

The report I wrote about political identity has prompted this blog post about the 12 lessons politicians, parties, campaigners and communities can learn in the run-up to a general election

Fascinating insights into the long-term drivers of political participation - or lack of it! Relevant to the forthcoming national elections, but more importantly, critical for understanding whose voice counts or doesn't count.

Ready to unlock the secrets to engaging a wave of voters? 🇪🇺 Last month, Awe Studio met up with civil, youth and cultural organisations in Brussels and joined the European Parliament to share our best communication strategies for the 2024 EU elections. Here’s 5 things you can keep in mind to improve your campaigns: 1. Highlight the importance of voting: How? By showing the impact of EU decisions on people’s lives 2. Communicate with motivation not urgency: Who likes doing something under stress? Emotions like hope and outrage empower citizens to take action 3. Make it inclusive: Those with physical and/or mental disabilities need access to voting facilities and voting education 4. Work with multiple partners and mobilise their networks: We’re talking public and private organisations, staff and visitors but also institutional partners and influencers 5. Voting rights: Remind voters of their voting rights and the practicalities around voting Tag organisations in the comments who already have great EU election campaigns 🔥

The latest on the 2024 presidential campaign | CNN Politics

Black women have taught me so much. In particular grateful to Denise Howard Chudney Sykes Andrea Daugherty, CISSP, CHCIO, CDH-E Michellana Jester Cheryl Pegus Christina Baah, MD, MPH and many others who help me understand this country and how to navigate its complexity to advocate, work, and get results for still needed progress. “Because they occupy a marginalized position — shouldering multiple and intersecting forms of oppression, including racism, sexism and classism — Black women are uniquely positioned to combat injustices in our society. As the most subordinate group within racial and gender hierarchies, Black women have understood, perhaps more than others, what it means to live without full citizenship and human rights. By articulating a vision of freedom for themselves, Black women are also advocating for the liberation of all oppressed people.” It should not be the job of Black women to help me understand or process, and yet they have opened spaces for me with kindness, compassion, and generosity, taking time away from their own work, families, and self care to offer sisterhood. Black women have been essential to my healing and regaining strength in recent years. These women have been especially critical to, frankly, my #mentalhealth, after I lost my late mother to COVID during failure of American #publichealth systems that were blocked by budget cuts and politics. Among the >1 million Americans who died of COVID, a disproportionate number were from communities of color. Black women also were there when I experienced confusing things at midcareer. When I was naive and unprepared, Black women had wise knowing. Those of us who are so-called “model minorities” are missing key understanding of social and political dynamics of the U.S. that are necessary for any justice or health justice work. While I appreciate my education within certain ivy covered walls, there is a different education from Black women that I find is far more valuable if seeking to be effective to create measurable, real world results. #blackhistorymonth #blackexcellence #blackqueen

🏆🌐 Delighted to announce my victory in the online debate competition, where we passionately discussed the topic: "Should there be eligibility criteria for contesting elections?" 🥇💬 It was an intellectually stimulating exchange of ideas, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to engage in such meaningful discourse. Here's a glimpse into what made this debate competition a rewarding experience: Thoughtful Preparation: Prior to the debate, I delved into extensive research to understand the complexities surrounding electoral eligibility criteria. This groundwork equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of the topic and enabled me to articulate well-founded arguments during the competition. Nuanced Argumentation: The topic of electoral eligibility criteria is multifaceted, encompassing considerations of democracy, representation, and governance. I endeavored to present nuanced arguments that addressed various perspectives, acknowledging both the necessity for criteria and the potential implications of imposing restrictions. Engaging with Diverse Perspectives: A hallmark of successful debate is the ability to engage with opposing viewpoints constructively. Throughout the competition, I welcomed diverse perspectives and engaged in respectful dialogue with my fellow debaters, fostering an environment conducive to thoughtful exchange. Adapting to the Online Format: Participating in an online debate posed unique challenges, including managing time effectively, maintaining audience engagement, and navigating technical aspects. I embraced these challenges with adaptability and ensured a seamless delivery of my arguments despite the virtual setting. Promoting Civic Discourse: Debates on topics like electoral eligibility criteria play a crucial role in fostering civic engagement and promoting informed decision-making. I'm honored to have been part of this discourse and believe that such discussions contribute to the advancement of democratic principles. Commitment to Continued Engagement: Winning this debate competition serves as a testament to the importance of remaining actively engaged in discussions that shape our society. I am committed to continuing my involvement in such meaningful conversations and advocating for informed, responsible governance. I extend my gratitude to the organizers for hosting this enriching event and commend my fellow participants for their insightful contributions. Let's continue to strive for a future where thoughtful debate and dialogue pave the way for positive change! 🌟💬 #OnlineDebateChampion #ElectoralCriteria #CivicEngagement #InformedGovernance

My latest article for MSNBC: “Black women’s robust participation in electoral and grassroots politics stems from a long history of exclusion and marginalization.”

Today is a day worth celebrating - it's Vote Early Day! 🎉 Don't miss the chance to have your voice heard in this upcoming election: 1️⃣ Visit https://lnkd.in/eGbWeN2J to get the information you need. 2️⃣ Discover when and where you can vote today. 3️⃣ Go cast your ballot and celebrate your participation in democracy! We understand that the process can sometimes feel overwhelming, from registering to vote to researching candidates and issues. But we're here to simplify things for you. Use this invaluable tool to explore your early voting options by state: https://lnkd.in/eRaVaPuZ By voting early, you not only ensure that you won't encounter last-minute issues that could prevent you from voting but also contribute to shorter lines on Election Day for everyone. Your participation matters, and your vote is your voice! #VoteEarlyDay #YouthVotes #YoungLeaders #YoungVotes #CivicInfluencers #Democracy #YoungVoices #YouthVote #NationalVoteEarlyDay

Australia’s Democracy Is It Democratic? #AustraliaPolitics, #Democracy, #ElectoralReform, #MediaBias, #SocialJustice   Explore the true nature of Australian democracy by examining its electoral system, media influence, and corporate power.   https://lnkd.in/ghw2KKas  

PARTISAN GERRYMANDERING AS A THREAT TO MULTIRACIAL DEMOCRACY - PDF: https://lnkd.in/gypsxVKV In Common Cause v. Rucho, the Supreme Court initiated an era of redistricting without restraint. The Court opened the door to state legislatures to engage in the most extreme partisan gerrymandering in American history. As states redistrict after the 2020 census, many will focus on gerrymandering’s threat to fair partisan representation at the state and national level. In this Essay, I argue that such gerrymandering poses a greater potential threat to America’s multi-racial democratic project. Gerrymandering’s threat to the multi-racial democratic project arises from burgeoning white identity politics and the Republican Party’s embrace of such politics. That Republican Party controls most of the state legislatures responsible for redistricting. And those legislatures have drawn a disproportionate number of districts that are not only majority Republican but also include a high number of Americans who see multi-racial democracy as a threat and seek to counter the inclusive representation of minority interests. In this Essay, I draw from the Supreme Court’s racial gerrymandering doctrine to identify the threat to multi-racial democracy from partisan gerrymandering. I argue that the race-based representation the Supreme Court once feared would arise from the state’s use of race to draw district lines is more properly associated with the Republican Party’s use of partisanship to draw district lines that will inevitably reinforce white identity politics. Thus, if the Court seeks to avoid representatives’ race-based neglect of their constituents, which threatens to undermine the multiracial democratic project, it will need to revive a role for itself in policing partisan gerrymandering. #partisanship #gerrymandering #democracy #multiracial #legislature #electionlaw #elections