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.
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.
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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.
- Build secure, accessible, and accurate election systems and processes that are free from interference from foreign adversaries or domestic political actors.
- Create guardrails that ensure voters and candidates abide by the outcomes of every election.
- Foster public confidence in the fact that elections are free, fair, and secure.
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.
SPOTLIGHT: The Shortlist Seven Ways Platforms Can Prepare for the U.S. 2024 Election SPOTLIGHT: The Shortlist
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Unraveling the Rise of Mass Voter Challenges
How voter challenge laws are being abused to disrupt the election process.
June 17, 2024
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New Report Debunks Mass Voter Challenge Efforts and Identifies Safeguards in Place to Prevent Abuse
Protect Democracy published Unraveling the Rise of Mass Voter Challenges, a new report that sheds light on the growth of mass challenges to voter eligibility orchestrated by election-denying orgs.
June 17, 2024
![Voting booths lined up in a row.](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Election-Booths-800x450.jpg)
Protect Democracy Supports Three Bipartisan Bills on Federal Elections and AI
On May 15th, Protect Democracy submitted a letter of support regarding three bipartisan bills, that seek to safeguard the integrity of elections amidst rapid advances in artificial intelligence.
May 15, 2024
![A hand on a ballot during an election.](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/election-certification-800x450.jpg)
New Guidance on Preventing Election Certification Interference
The report outlines the mandatory duty of county officials to certify election results.
March 25, 2024
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Federal Judge Greenlights Lawsuit Challenging Virginia’s Permanent Felony Disenfranchisement Law
First-of-its-kind suit seeks to repeal discriminatory voting ban, alleging it violates a 150+ year-old Reconstruction Era law
March 18, 2024
![A hand casting a ballot.](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/hand-casting-ballot-800x450.jpg)
Arizona Supreme Court Rejects Kari Lake’s Appeal in Stephen Richer’s Defamation LawsuitÂ
On March 5, the Arizona Supreme Court rejected Kari Lake’s appeal in the defamation lawsuit filed against her by Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer.
March 5, 2024
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The Constitutionality of the Materiality Provision of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965
We filed an amicus brief in Pennsylvania State Conference of the NAACP v. Secretary of the Commonwealth defending the constitutionality of 52 U.S.C. § 10101(a)(2)(B)’s “materiality provision."
February 26, 2024
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Carter Center and Civic Leader Partners Commend New Ethics Guidelines for Election Officials
The Carter Center joins Election Reformers Network and Protect Democracy in commending the recently published ethics guidelines for election officials.
February 23, 2024
![The Second Circuit Court of Appeals.](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/second-circuit-new-yorkcity-800x450.jpg)
Mackey Amicus Brief: How the Second Circuit Can Safeguard the Right to Vote from Election Disinformation Without Violating the First Amendment
The decision in this case could have significant implications for the 2024 election and how we can hold those who attempt to use disinformation to disenfranchise voters accountable.
February 13, 2024
![Arizona ballot for an election.](https://protectdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/shutterstock_1833095194-800x450.jpg)
Stephen Richer’s Lawsuit Against Kari Lake, the Lake for Governor Campaign, and the Lake Fundraising Organization Will Proceed
Stephen Richer, the Maricopa County Recorder, has defeated motions to dismiss his defamation lawsuit against Kari Lake, the Lake for Governor Campaign, and the Lake Fundraising Organization.
December 20, 2023
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Year-End Report Details State Legislatures’ Election Subversion Playbook; Examines Laws That Increase Risk of 2024 Election Crisis
Analysis finds 600+ state legislative proposals introduced since 2020 that would interfere with and undermine nonpartisan administration of elections
December 7, 2023