September Newsletter: Political Violence and Defending Election Workers
By Zachey Kliger | zachey.kliger@gmail.com | September 25, 2024
Since Our Common Purpose was published in 2020, over 75 organizations have pledged to work to increase the resiliency of American democracy by 2026, our nation’s 250th anniversary. Their efforts continue through this busy election season by doing the vital work of supporting state and local election officials, building trust in elections, and bridging divides. Last week marked National Constitution Day and National Voter Registration Day. Nonprofit VOTE has resources and opportunities to get America registered and ready to vote and Educating for American Democracy has resources educators can use to get students interested in civics and U.S. history. In the rest of this month’s newsletter, we highlight efforts to combat political violence, opportunities to participate in upcoming events on voter engagement, and more.
Academy Hosts Event on Political Polarization and Political Violence
On September 4, the American Academy of Arts & Sciences convened a discussion on political polarization and political violence in the United States. Rachel Kleinfeld (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) noted that while political violence has spiked at various times in American history, the recent rise in threats against election officials is unprecedented. Paige Alexander (Carter Center) spoke about the Carter Center’s efforts to combat election misinformation and prepare its network to respond rapidly to political violence after the election. Marty Smith (ABA Task Force on American Democracy) discussed how the ABA Task Force is mobilizing lawyers across the nation to defend constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
A point of emphasis was the importance of reassuring Americans that voting is safe: “Internationally and in the United States, we actually see very little violence on election day itself,” Rachel Kleinfeld said.
The event uplifted incredible organizations and initiatives that are combating political violence, bridging divides and strengthening democracy. Some of those include:
Stories From The Field
Campaign Legal Center: Who are Election Officials and Why are they Crucial to our Democracy?
Campaign Legal Center (CLC) spoke with Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt and Kent County, Michigan Clerk Lisa Lyons about the important role of election officials and poll workers, and the checks and balances in our system that ensure our elections are fair and accurate.
Civic Leaders Gather for National Civic Collaboratory Convening.
The National Civic Collaboratory, an initiative created by Citizen University that brings together civic catalysts and nonprofit leaders to promote collaboration and mutual aid, held its latest convening in Simi Valley, California.
New Documentary Shows how Americans can Overcome Political Divides.
“Undivide Us”, a new documentary produced by Ben Klutsey, Executive Director of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and member of the Academy’s Working Group on Defining Civic Culture, delivers a hopeful message about people working together despite their political differences.
In The News
Charlottesville, VA Adopts Ranked Choice Voting.
Charlottesville, VA will begin using ranked choice voting for its elections in 2025. OCP Champion FairVote tracks where ranked choice voting is used.
WaPo Opinion: A Recipe for Cooling Down American Politics.
Writing in The Washington Post, University of Notre Dame Professor John Paul Lederach argues that each of us can contribute to reducing toxic polarization by getting out of our bubbles and rehumanizing our political adversaries.
Get Involved
Institute for Citizens & Scholars Launches Youth Civics Competition.
The Institute for Citizens & Scholars launched a Youth Civic Solutions Competition, which invites young people aged 14-24 across the United States to submit innovative ideas to strengthen civic knowledge, engagement, and trust during this pivotal election year.
Participate in a Conversation with a Stranger who Holds Different Political Views.
One Small Step, an initiative of StoryCorps, brings strangers with different political views together to record 50-minute facilitated conversations—not to debate politics, but to learn more about who we are as people. To participate, apply to be matched.
Want to have your event or opportunity featured in the next newsletter? Email us!
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