When we think about the American Dream,. we imagine a country where everyone’s voice counts—where hard work and fairness lead to opportunity. But today, many Americans feel shut out of politics.
Hyper-partisanship dominates, and voters often feel forced to choose between two extremes. Is this really the best way to run a democracy?
Surprisingly, the answer may come from a place you wouldn’t expect: Bosnia and Herzegovina.
What Bosnia Taught Us About Democracy
After a brutal war in the 1990s, Bosnia faced a challenge: how to stop politics from being a zero-sum game. The solution? Change the rules. International experts introduced ranked-choice voting, multi-member districts, and compensatory seats. These reforms gave voters more power and encouraged cooperation instead of division.
For a short time, it worked. Cross-ethnic, reform-minded parties gained ground. People could rank candidates by preference, and representation better reflected the diversity of voters. Unfortunately, entrenched interests rolled back these changes—but the lesson remains: rules shape outcomes.
Why This Matters for America
In the U.S., winner-take-all elections and gerrymandering lock most congressional seats into partisan control. Out of 435 House seats, only a few dozen are truly competitive. That means millions of voters—especially independent voters—feel their voices don’t matter.
But here’s the good news: our system isn’t set in stone. Congress could allow states to adopt ranked-choice voting and multi-member districts. These changes would:
- Empower independent voters who want real choices, not just red vs. blue.
- Encourage split ticket voting, where people vote for candidates—not parties.
- Reduce gerrymandering, making elections fairer.
- Give voters ownership, so even if your top candidate doesn’t win, your vote still counts.
The American Dream Needs a Healthy Democracy
The American Dream isn’t just about economic opportunity—it’s about having a voice in shaping our future. Right now, our system rewards division. But by modernizing election rules, we can restore competition, accountability, and trust.
Groups like FairVote and Unite America are already pushing for these reforms. The Fair Representation Act, for example, would allow ranked-choice voting in multi-member districts for House elections. None of this requires changing the Constitution—just the courage to adapt
It’s Time to Rethink How We Vote
Democracy isn’t static. Just as Bosnia tried bold reforms to heal divisions, America can do the same to strengthen its unity. For independent voters, the potential for reform offers hope that a more competent government can emerge.
