By hannah fried

August 15, 2024

We find ourselves in a precarious political moment in this country’s history as we barrel toward the November election and the next Presidential Administration – whatever the outcome. There is broad agreement that our democracy is in crisis, and that the forces that seek to disrupt our country’s core democratic principles are strong and dangerous. Beyond that macro sentiment lies the actual attacks – from conspiracy theorists creating databases to cull voter lists to election officials refusing to do the very basic functions of their jobs. Make no mistake: these efforts are coordinated but disparate, and they need to be addressed at the local level with the passion, expertise, and resources that meet the moment and allow us to fight back.

All Voting is Local and All Voting is Local Action are ready to do that today and in the years ahead, no matter who occupies the White House, any state house, or leads Congress and state legislatures. Here’s why:

First, it’s in our name. All voting is local. Local election officials have an outsized impact on an individual’s ability to cast their ballot and we’ve built our organizations to be laser-focused on holding those officials accountable. That means using our advocacy muscle to hold them responsible when they act outside of the bounds of their jobs, and to support their efforts to protect and expand access to the ballot. Our on-the-ground expertise and relationships with community organizers and policymakers allow each organization to spot threats to voter access, champion policies that expand it, and fight against attempts to throw out validly cast ballots. That’s allowed us to see firsthand the groundwork that proponents of the “Big Lie” have laid in recent years to undermine our democracy. 

Second, we’re prepared and we know what we’re up against. On the ground since 2018, our organizations have a proven track record of pivoting our tactics to meet what is in front of us at the White House, the state house, or a polling location. That’s never been more important. There’s a scenario in 2025 where our government is committed to expanding the freedom to vote and understands and respects that it’s the people who decide our elections, not politicians. In that case, we’ll be focused on rebuilding democratic norms and voter access at the state and local levels, going on offense with an agenda that protects and expands voter access – particularly for Black, Latino, Native American, and other historically marginalized communities. 

And, there’s a scenario in 2025 where our country faces an authoritarian threat, making the decentralized nature of our elections critical to protecting democratic norms. Local election officials will serve an even more vital role in their work to register voters, maintain safe and secure polling locations, ensure every vote is counted, and guarantee that election results are certified and upheld. In doing so, they will stand as a safeguard in their communities against attempts by an authoritarian government to implement sweeping federal anti-voting policies and widespread voter disinformation efforts. In that version of 2025, our work will be to leverage our on-the-ground infrastructure to empower local officials with tools and resources to preserve access to the ballot box and to certify our elections – and continue to hold accountable those who don’t. 

What we know is that attempts to suppress the vote will exist under either scenario, just as they have for centuries in this country. We’ve seen Americans waiting in line to vote for hours in the heat and snow in Democratic presidential administrations, and the rolling back of options that make it easier for seniors to vote – like vote-by-mail – in Republican administrations. 

Third, we’ve got a vision of what democracy can and should look like under any Administration. Our Pro-Voter Agenda lays out a path to a more inclusive democracy that expands access to the ballot box and holds election officials accountable to the people they serve. Those are not just lofty ideals; they are the bedrock of a thriving democracy. This agenda sits in stark contrast to what we’re potentially up against in Project 2025 – the Heritage Foundation’s sweeping agenda to eviscerate core freedoms and rights of Americans. Voting rights and the safety of our election systems are not spared in its vision to do away with central functions of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and undermine federal officials’ ability to fight disinformation, among a host of other threats. 

All Voting is Local and All Voting is Local Action are uniquely situated to protect those ideals. Our policy, communications, and data capacity; local relationships and expertise in stitching together state and national trends; and, consistent, year-round focus on election administration allow us to stand up to the most egregious attacks on our democracy. Under any post-election scenario, it will continue to be incumbent on us to harness that work into building a better future for all Americans, community by community.