Why would the Senate Majority Leader block a measure to strengthen US election security?
A small team of volunteers researched possible forces behind Moscow Mitch's decision. They researched publicly available information to uncover the web of contacts, contributions and exchange of favors. Their research produced this interactive StoryMap that's both easy to follow and share.
Moscow Mitch: StoryMap of connections and motivations
The challenge
Short attention spans. Complex issues. Scattered clues. Groups with few resources struggling to report on powerful interests who would rather stay out of sight. How is the public expected to understand Moscow Mitch's motivations?
Crowdsourced research and digital story creations apps provide an affordable solution. These apps create living documents that can be refreshed with new content as it emerges. The stories are easily shared on social media or embedded in web sites. This StoryMap explains the forces behind Moscow Mitch's decision to block the election protection bill.


Network Relationship Map
The solution
1. Two presidents
2. A British Lord
3. Three US Senators
4. Three US Cabinet Secretaries
5. A current and a former governor
6. A federal judge
7. Four Russians oligarchs
8. Two tech billionaires
9. Three lobbyists
10. A Kentucky steel mill
11. NRA and RNC
12. Russian sexpionage with a Republican operative
These insights were used to create a network relationship map using Kumu, a free app. The map was supplemented with more details, images and a soundtrack using ArcGIS StoryMaps, another free app.
Content should be designed in the format and depth that works best for readers. How much time do they? What device will they be using? How detailed should the content be? There is no single, right answer.


Takeaway
The underlying crowdsourced research, relationship map and StoryMap are freely available. Learn more about how to get the research and apply these apps to your cause here.
Use free apps like Kumu and StoryMaps to research and explain issues likes swamps - both real and political.
Deepak
Co-Founder, DemLabs
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