In the US, if we want to encourage democracy, we must limit the length of campaigns and take money out of the process.  

From the formation of exploratory committees until the inauguration of the next president, the American election frenzy lasts about two years, a vast majority of which is spent talking about little of substance. Along the way, the U.S. spends more than every other country in the world. HIllary Clinton’s campaign could cost 2 billion dollars.

What’s even worse is that the exceptional amount of time and money doesn’t produce an engaging democratic process. The U.S. ranks near the bottom in terms of voter participation when compared with other developed nations. Issues like obstacles to voter registration and the ability to simply get to the polls without missing work contribute to strikingly low turnout in the world’s most powerful democracy.

None of this is inevitable, and some of these problems could be easily fixed. Here’s a brief look at some practices in other democracies that the U.S. could learn from, if not replicate:

l.  The longest Canadian campaign was 10 weeks.

2.  In the UK, political parties can only spend $30 million in the year before an election.

3.  In Germany, political parties release just one 90-second television ad.

4. In 2013, over two-thirds of income to Norway’s political parties came from the government.

Many countries successfully use public financing of campaigns as a way of regulating their cost and relieving the need for reliance on wealthy donors. 5. Voter registration is automatic in Sweden.

6.  Voting is compulsory in Australia.