We often believe that democracy means whatever is important to us. Democracy means addressing climate change. Democracy means lowering taxes. Democracy means passing immigration reform. Democracy means eliminating regulation. In reality, democracy allows us to take on all these issues.

But democracy itself is much more foundational. It’s the way we govern ourselves. —writes Melody Barnes, Executive director, University of Virginia’s Karsh Institute of Democracy.

After graduating from the Naval Academy and serving 12 years as a helicopter pilot and instructor, Julie Hendricks has taken on a new commission — poll worker.

Laura Mollo wanted her hometown of Richlands, Virginia to be a safe, secure place for her young family. She turned to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act to bring about change.

Virginia is one of just two states that bans ex-felons from voting unless they receive an executive pardon. Richard Walker uses his nonprofit – and cooking skills – to help other former felons win back their voting rights

Hampton Clerk of City Council Katherine Glass stumbled into local government. She’s been soothing angry citizens, organizing public meetings and counting votes for two decades.

Retired Rear Adm. Ann Phillips was among the first cohorts of women to serve on ships at sea. She said “as soon as somebody tells me no, then I'm like, ‘Hmm, oh yes, watch this.’”

The year-round job of keeping Virginia’s annual elections running like clockwork falls to local officials who work to stay above the political fray.

Navy vet and minority advocate Lindsay Church’s personal and public life merged when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade

Democracy at Work—Anne Adams - owner, reporter and most everything in between for her rural weekly - preserves a 147-year-old newspaper