Jefferson’s Lab

On November 5th, 2024, former President Donald Trump secured a return to the Oval Office, capturing 312 electoral votes, the popular vote, and every major swing state. This decisive result, like so many before, serves as a reminder of the experiment called democracy—an ever-evolving process that has been tested and reshaped throughout American history. As the nation comes to terms with this moment, it is critical not only to respect the office of the presidency but also to look to the broader mechanisms of democracy that are at work across the nation.

One guiding idea from the nation’s earliest days, articulated by Thomas Jefferson, describes the states as “laboratories of democracy.” This idea might carry the country forward now, perhaps more than ever. Jefferson believed in a decentralized form of governance, where individual states could serve as testing grounds for policy and social progress. Successful initiatives could be scaled up, while unsuccessful ones could be left behind without posing risks to the entire country. This process of testing and refining, of taking bold actions in localized ways, is a cornerstone of American resilience.

Tracing back through American history reveals numerous examples of states leading the way. Wyoming was the first state to grant women the right to vote in 1869, breaking ground in a country that still largely denied women’s suffrage. Massachusetts spearheaded public education, laying a foundation that would eventually lead to nationwide commitments to schooling. More recently, California has become a leader in climate change policies and environmental regulations, setting ambitious standards that have influenced federal decisions and inspired other states. Jefferson’s vision is alive in these examples, as states act as agents of change, uniquely capable of responding to the particular needs of their populations.

However, Jefferson also had something else in mind—a suspicion of centralized power and an insistence on localized decision-making. The federal government, he feared, might accumulate too much influence, losing touch with the specific needs of individuals and communities. Now, as President-Elect Trump—a convicted felon and adjudicated sex offender—returns to power, Jefferson’s concerns with concentrated authority take on renewed significance. The role of state governments and local leadership will be essential in safeguarding democratic norms and protecting individual rights.

The weight of democracy does not rest entirely in Washington, D.C.; it rests within each state, each city, each community. In the upcoming years, state legislatures, county commissions, and school boards will matter more than ever. These bodies must step into their role, not as reflexive oppositions to federal authority but as proactive entities working to innovate and improve the lives of their constituents. This is where Jefferson’s laboratories come into play—by creating solutions and developing models that might eventually serve the entire nation.

One critical challenge, however, is that many Americans are disconnected from what happens at the state level. The intricacies of local governance often go unnoticed, yet they shape the core aspects of everyday life. To truly act as laboratories of democracy, states must ensure that their work is both visible and understood. Policies related to healthcare, education, and economic opportunity are often forged and tested at the state level, but for these initiatives to thrive, there must be a deliberate effort to communicate their value to the public.

Open channels of communication—public forums, increased digital transparency, citizen advisory panels—are needed to bring people closer to the decisions that shape their lives. Jefferson knew that democracy only thrives when citizens are informed and engaged, and in today’s digital world, the ability for state governments to effectively communicate with residents is both a challenge and an opportunity. States have a responsibility not just to legislate but also to connect with and involve the public, ensuring their actions resonate beyond the walls of government buildings.

The next four years will be an intricate dance between federal and state policies, shaped by an administration that sparks strong reactions across the political spectrum. Each state will navigate this landscape differently, influenced by its own culture, voters, and priorities. Some states may choose to innovate on renewable energy, others may focus on criminal justice reform or expanding healthcare access. This diversity is not a flaw but a testament to the strength of American federalism—where multiple approaches are tested, and the best ideas rise to prominence.

The outcome of this election should be viewed not as an endpoint but as an invitation—a call for deeper engagement with democracy. Jefferson’s idea of states as laboratories challenges citizens to see governance as an ongoing experiment, one where the work never stops. The strength of democracy is not just in national headlines but in the ways states can create pathways that uphold shared values, protect freedoms, and inspire civic engagement.

Democracy is not static; it requires continual renewal. States are the laboratories that carry forward the experiment of democracy. In the coming years, as the federal government sets its course, the real test will be how effectively state and local governments serve their citizens and communicate the importance of their work. If society rises to the occasion, the best of democracy will thrive, not because of what happens in Washington but because of the efforts made in each state, each community.

The process of democracy is participatory, and it flourishes when all contribute. There is hope in the power of local action and in the resilience of democratic institutions as a new chapter of American history begins.

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