For decades, frustrated reformers within the Democratic National Committee have fought for changes in party operations—particularly more financial transparency, accountability, and internal democracy. This past weekend’s meeting in New Orleans represented a hopeful step in the right direction.

Current DNC chair Ken Martin was elected last year in part because he promised to implement these kinds of reforms—and some of that work was evident in New Orleans. There is greater transparency in the budget. The DNC’s allocations to state parties have dramatically increased (causing some consultants to complain that there is less for them). Instead of the chair appointing all at-large members to the DNC and hand-selecting members for the decision-making standing committees, the membership elected by their states or party caucuses and councils is empowered to vote on some of the at-large positions. While more can be done, these initial steps are consequential.

The most significant developments related to stopping corporate and dark money were Martin’s insistence on moving forward with reforms and the debate on this issue during the DNC’s general........

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