Third Mountain advocates for structural reforms that make government more representative and responsive, while defending free inquiry from political interference. We stand behind the researchers, institutions, and public officials who protect knowledge from political capture.
Our WorkLatest Work
Find the races where your vote, donation, or volunteer effort can have the most impact.
Explore VoteMaximizer
Leadership
Third Mountain was founded by Sam Wang, a Princeton neuroscientist and election analyst who has spent more than two decades bringing data and scientific methods to American politics.
His work has ranged from election analysis and redistricting reform to building tools and organizations focused on fair representation. He founded the Princeton Gerrymandering Project and Electoral Innovation Lab and has advised public officials and reformers across the country.
Sam Wang explains the voters who make up the Third Mountain.
About Sam WangWhy Third Mountain
Broken political structures concentrate power and reward polarization, making government less representative and responsive.
Attacks on science are part of the same disintegration. When tribalism overwhelms knowledge, free inquiry and honest evidence are pulled into the partisan crossfire.
Democracy and science are both under threat. We have to defend both.
Democracy + Science
A government that answers to its citizens.
Our political structures should translate the complexity of people's views into representative government—not force them into choices that reward polarization.
Electoral systems should reflect the people they serve.
Elected officials should answer to citizens rather than structures that insulate them from accountability.
Government should create room for governing, negotiation, and durable solutions.
Free inquiry is a foundation of American power.
Knowledge and scientific inquiry are public goods. They should remain free from political capture and available to strengthen institutions, public policy, and citizens themselves.
Researchers and institutions must be able to pursue knowledge without political interference.
Public decisions should be informed by the best available knowledge rather than partisan demands.
Scientific knowledge and tools should benefit everyone, not only the well-resourced.
Our Institutional Commitment
Third Mountain turns evidence and scientific analysis into action by defending free inquiry and honest evidence, backing those willing to act, and advancing structural reforms that make government more representative, responsive, and deliberative.
How We Act
Support officials and advocates willing to fight for a government that answers to its citizens, and equip them with effective strategies for reform.
Stand behind researchers, institutions, and officials who protect science from political capture.
Build tools that sharpen citizen effectiveness and put them in everyone's hands.
Identify and advance reforms that make government more representative, responsive, and deliberative.
Current Work
Featured Project
Science-based tools that identify where votes, donations, and volunteer efforts can have the greatest democratic impact.
Laying the technical and political foundation now for redistricting reform and structural democratic reform to be enacted in 2029.
Direct briefings in all fifty states equipping local reformers with the tools to act.
Briefing and backing candidates and public officials who will defend democracy and science in office.
Join Third Mountain
Join Third Mountain for briefings, new tools, and opportunities to help strengthen representative government and defend free inquiry.
