This week the Federal Election Commission will vote on a proposal to revive political parties and make them more effective at mobilizing populist political participation. The proposal has the support of Democratic and Republican party advocates who lament the onerous government regulations that have handicapped parties and rendered them increasingly irrelevant.

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The principal focus of the party proposal is the effectiveness of state and local parties. State and local parties are the most democratic institutions in American politics today. They are populist associations of local citizens from all walks of life who care deeply about their communities and the country and devote their time and passion — not necessarily their checkbooks — to participate in democracy. I refer to state and local parties as the “Motel 6” of civic engagement because there is always a state or local party office with a light on for people who want to get involved in the political life of America.