A very old idea was to have enfranchisement based on membership of a Chapter. It is one that I very much like in theory, as it strengthens the bonds of community and gives us all a rational focal point for change proposals (e.g. structural change, long-term mission, vision creep, etc.).
However, it is plainly clear that the Wikimedian community in the United States lacks either the will or the ability - or perhaps both - to form a membership organisation. Given that there would (understandably) be civil war if under the current situation we refocused on the above plan when Wikimedia US remains a distant dream, there is nothing we really can do. The ball is in their court, and we must all wait, impatiently. :-)