Protecting Free & Fair Elections

Our Work

Without free, fair, and secure elections, voters have no voice, little control over the direction of the country, and few ways to correct course when things go awry.

Why Is This Important

Elections are the linchpin of our democracy. Holding elections, and ensuring that power changes hands in accordance with their outcomes, is the essence of democratic self-government. By defending them, we also protect our rights and our system of government.

This takes two steps. First, we defend the process of holding elections. We do so by making sure that election officials are allowed to do their work without interference, that election systems are secure, and that politicians are unable to dictate the outcome or manipulate election rules.

Second, we protect voters’ ability to participate meaningfully in the process, free from intimidation and harassment.

By ensuring that elections remain free, fair, and secure, we maintain our collective ability to shape the future of the country — or, when needed, to change course. In that, we protect voters’ trust in the results, even when their preferred candidates lose.

The kinds of outcomes we seek

  1. Build secure, accessible, and accurate election systems and processes that are free from interference from foreign adversaries or domestic political actors.
  2. Create guardrails that ensure voters and candidates abide by the outcomes of every election.
  3. Foster public confidence in the fact that elections are free, fair, and secure.

What Impact Have We Had

Protected tens of thousands of voters from disfranchisement, intimidation, suppression, and election manipulation, and secured new precedents around the Ku Klux Klan Act and the Voting Rights Act.

Helped defend the 2020 and 2022 elections from attempts to manipulate and subvert a free and fair result, and assisted in the passage of reforms to the Electoral Count Act that will better protect the will of the voters and the transfer of presidential power.

National Task Force on Election Crises

The National Task Force on Election Crises is a diverse, non-partisan group of 50+ experts in election law and administration, national and cyber security, voting and civil rights, tech, and more.

February 9, 2023

  • Protecting Elections
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US Capitol Dome

Electoral Count Act

The Electoral Count Act governs the way that electoral votes are cast and counted during presidential elections in the United States. The law includes vague, outdated language that must be updated.

December 23, 2022

  • Protecting Elections
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NC State Capitol

Independent State Legislature Theory

Protect Democracy is leading research and analysis of the Independent State Legislature theory in order to inform litigants, the public, the media, and others about its potentially dire consequences.

October 31, 2022

  • Protecting Elections
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Voters voting

Fighting Against Voter Intimidation

Voter intimidation today can take multiple forms. While we’re working hard against these worst-case scenarios, voters should have confidence in elections, and should not be afraid to cast their vote.

October 28, 2022

  • Protecting Elections
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How to Protect Our Elections Officials

Protect Democracy is working to ensure that election officials can feel safe doing their jobs and that those who threaten them are held accountable.

October 25, 2022

  • Protecting Elections
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Arizona Capitol

Protecting Arizona Voters from Unlawful Intimidation

Protect Democracy sent a demand letter to those running the so-called election “audit” in Maricopa County which highlights the various laws that would likely be violated.

April 6, 2021

  • Protecting Elections
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