We are Plugin Democracy, a non-profit organization that provides communities with the technological and legal tools necessary to operate as direct democracies.
Our initiative responds to a pressing need to revitalize democracy in the United States. Over the past few decades, the political system has experienced a significant decline due to the growing influence of money in politics, the rise of special interest groups, gerrymandering, voter suppression, and the influence of dark money. As a result, average citizens often find it difficult to have their voices heard and feel that their government no longer represents their interests.
Against this backdrop, Plugin Democracy offers a promising alternative. Our platform enables citizens to participate directly in the political process, making their voices heard. It's a place where anyone can propose and vote on legislation, effectively influencing their communities and the country. We leverage technology to facilitate communication and collaboration, bypassing traditional power structures and empowering communities to shape their own futures.
Plugin Democracy is a real-time, direct democracy system, highly customizable to accommodate the varying needs of different communities. In our platform:
- Anyone can propose new rules, amendments to existing rules, changes in administration, payroll alterations, propose community projects and events, and access the community's accounting.
- Citizens and residents don't need to wait for referendums or voting dates to make a change. They can impact their community at any given moment.
- The voting system is based on votes in favor. If a proposal is made, a citizen can "plug in" their vote. If enough votes are plugged in, the proposal passes. Conversely, support for existing laws can be withdrawn by "unplugging" your vote, all happening in real time.
Joining an existing community
If you're joining a community that already uses Plugin Democracy, create an account and head to "Join Community" in the top navigation menu. Select your community from the dropdown menu, and a request will be sent to the administrators. You will receive a confirmation email when your request is approved.
Enrolling a new community
If you're enrolling a new community, create an account and navigate to "Create Community" on the top navigation bar. Fill out your community's information, and we will get in touch regarding the next steps for your community to operate as a direct democracy.
Learn more about the current state of our political system at Represent Us.
Plugin Democracy represents a much-needed step forward in the fight to reinvigorate democracy in the US. We offer a more inclusive, participatory approach to governance, one that values the input and perspectives of all citizens.