Preserving
Democracy
Protecting our Democracy requires that democratic principles, institutions, and practices are able to resist and counteract fascist ideologies and movements.
Issues We Care About
Voter Suppression
Many states have implemented laws and policies that make it more difficult for certain groups of citizens, particularly minority groups and low-income individuals, to vote. This includes laws that restrict early voting, require specific forms of identification, and close polling locations in certain areas.
Voter suppression undermines the democratic principle of one person, one vote. When certain groups are disenfranchised, it can lead to an unfair representation of the population and undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process.
- Support States that make voting more accessible by expanding early voting and mail-in voting options, and by providing transportation to the polls.Â
- Educate constituents in States that work to suppress the vote about their right to vote.
- Align with a national effort to provide free identification to those who need it, and to ensure that polling locations are evenly distributed.
Election Security Concerns
Concerns about the security of elections have increased in recent years, particularly in the wake of foreign interference in the 2016 presidential election. There are ongoing concerns about the vulnerability of electronic voting machines and the potential for hacking or other forms of tampering. If Elections are not free and fair, certain groups may be excluded from the political process, leading to a lack of representation and a breakdown of democracy.
Free and fair elections are essential for democracy because they promote the legitimacy of democratic institutions. When we have confidence in the electoral process, it can help to strengthen democratic institutions and promote public trust in government.
Free and fair elections:
- Promote social and political stability.Â
- Provide confidence in the fairness and transparency of the election
- Create social cohesion and reduce the likelihood of political violence or unrest.
- Ensure everyone’s voice is heard.Â
- Provide an opportunity for us to have a sense of civic engagement and responsibility. When we are given the opportunity to vote, we are more likely to become invested in our government and their community.Â
- Encourage governments and other institutions to ensure that we are able to vote freely and without fear of intimidation or coercion. This includes providing security at polling stations, ensuring that voters are registered and able to cast their ballots, and providing clear and accessible information about voting procedures.
- Support a national effort to strengthen cybersecurity measures and to increase transparency and accountability in the electoral process. This can include conducting regular audits of electronic voting machines, using paper ballots as a backup, and ensuring that all votes are counted accurately and transparently.
- Create community organizations that can monitor the electoral process for signs of fraud or irregularities, report on issues of public interest, and provide citizens with accurate and reliable information about the electoral process.
Just after the 2022 midterms, 1,000 U.S. Adult Citizens were asked how confident they were that votes in the U.S. were counted correctly.
Erosion of the Rule of Law
The largest problem with the rule of law in America is the erosion of the principle that everyone is subject to the law, including those in positions of power. There have been increasing concerns about the politicization of the Department of Justice and the judicial system, as well as the selective enforcement of laws and regulations. In addition, increasing polarization of political discourse has forced political leaders and institutions to increasingly focus on winning elections and promoting partisan agendas, rather than upholding democratic principles and the rule of law.
The erosion of the rule of law can have serious consequences for the functioning of democratic institutions. When those in positions of power are able to act with impunity, it can lead to corruption, abuse of power, and a lack of accountability. Further, partisan politics can undermine the integrity of democratic institutions and the rule of law. When political leaders are more focused on promoting their own interests than on upholding democratic principles, it can lead to a lack of trust in government institutions and a breakdown of social cohesion.
To strengthen the rule of law in America, there must be a national effort to promote transparency, accountability, and equal treatment under the law.Â
This must include:Â
- Ensure that the judicial system is independent and free from political influence
- Endorse strong and independent institutions that are free from political influence and able to enforce the law and hold those in power accountable. This includes:
- Independent Judiciary
- Robust civil society
- Free and Independent press
- Increase oversight of government agenciesÂ
- Enforce existing laws and regulations consistently and fairly.
- Combate partisan politics, through a national effort to promote greater civility and respect in political discourse, and to encourage greater cooperation and compromise among political leaders.Â
- Focus on promoting education and public awareness about the importance of the rule of law and the consequences of its disregard.
- Support pro democracy coalitions and organizations.
Threatened partisan attacks on Independent Media outlets.
Independent media outlets coming under attack is a serious threat to democratic societies. Independent media outlets play a crucial role in providing accurate, objective, and diverse reporting that helps to inform the public and hold those in power accountable. When these outlets come under attack, it can have serious consequences for the functioning of democratic institutions.
Independent media outlets are essential to the functioning of democratic societies. They play a crucial role in informing the public, promoting transparency, and holding those in power accountable. When independent media outlets come under attack, it can lead to a lack of trust in government institutions and a breakdown of social cohesion.
- Protect Press Freedom which includes legal protections for journalists and media outlets, as well as efforts to promote media literacy and critical thinking skills among the public.
- Support Independent Media Outlets by subscribing to and sharing independent media outlets, donating to them, and advocating for their importance in society.
- Hold those in power accountable and promote transparency and accountability in government institutions, as well as efforts to combat corruption and abuse of power.
- Advocate and create awareness of these issues and advocating for change, individuals can help to ensure that independent media outlets continue to play a vital role in democratic societies.
- Promote media literacy by providing education and resources to the public on how to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources of information, and how to spot false or misleading information.
- Prioritize fact-checking which can review news stories and other media content to verify their accuracy and identify any false or misleading information.
- Support pro democracy coalitions and organizations.
The Degrading of Individual Rights and FreedomsÂ
Government overreach, social pressure, and systemic discrimination are all the reasons many Americans are losing their rights. The loss of individual freedom and rights have serious consequences for individuals and society as a whole.
Individual rights and freedoms are essential to the functioning of democratic societies. When individuals are not free to express themselves, make choices, and pursue their own interests, it can lead to a lack of creativity and innovation, a lack of diversity and inclusion, and a lack of social progress.
To combat the loss of individual freedom and rights, there are several steps that can be taken:
- Protect Civil Liberties to include freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press, among other rights.
- Promote Equality and combating discrimination and promote diversity and inclusion in all areas of society.
- Strengthen the Rule of Law and ensure that the judicial system is independent and free from political influence, and that all individuals are treated equally under the law.
- Educate and promote awareness of these issues and advocate for change.
- Support pro democracy coalitions and organizations.
Corruption in Government and Lack of Accountability Threatens Democratic Societies
Corruption can undermine the rule of law, erode public trust in government institutions, and limit economic and social progress. When those in positions of power are not held accountable for their actions, it can lead to abuses of power, violations of civil liberties, and a lack of transparency and fairness in the political process.
Corruption and lack of government accountability undermine the functioning of democratic institutions and make it more difficult to address important social and political issues. Ultimately, it can lead to abuses of power, violations of civil liberties, and a lack of transparency and fairness in the political process.
To combat corruption in government and lack of accountability, there are several steps that can be taken:
- Promote transparency to ensure that government institutions are open and transparent in their decision-making processes, and that the public has access to information about government actions and spending.
- Strengthen oversight which includes strengthening the role of independent auditors, inspectors general, and other oversight bodies. Ensure that government actions are being conducted in a transparent and accountable manner.
- Enforce laws and regulations that ensure that there are effective laws and regulations in place to prevent corruption and hold those in power accountable, and that these laws and regulations are being enforced consistently and fairly.
- Promote Civic Engagement and encourage citizens to participate in the political process, supporting community organizations and using education and public awareness as a platform to highlight the importance of transparency and accountability in government.
- Support pro democracy coalitions and organizations.
Issues We Care About
Take Action to Preserve Democracy
Supreme Court Cases to Watch Featuring MSNBC’s Ali Velshi
National Constitution CenterFor our final Fun Friday Session of the 2022-2023 school year, MSNBC’s Ali Velshi returns, joining National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen to discuss the Supreme Court and some of the biggest […]
Tent Talk: Civic Influencers
BigTent Zoom RoomMaxim Thorne, CEO of Civic Influencers, will join on on Tuesday, June 6th at 12pm ET. Civic Influencers gives young voters on-the-ground data and winning strategies on campuses and in communities to boost civic power and impact elections. Read Thorne's latest Washington Post Op-Ed article here on the Right's effort to silence young voters. ABOUT […]
Spotlight Speakers: Billy Ray and Gretchen Barton with Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA), moderated by Sanjyot P. Dunung
BigTent Zoom RoomAcademy Award-Nominated Screenwriter, Billy Ray and Public Opinion Researcher, Gretchen Barton and Rep. Susan Wild (D-PA) & moderated by Author Sanjyot P. Dunung will discuss how voters feel about the state […]
Spotlight Speaker: Professor Larry Diamond with Anne Wedner
BigTent Zoom RoomOn Wednesday, June 21st at 7pm ET, Professor Larry Diamond, Professor of Political Science and Sociology at Stanford University, specializing in democracy studies, Author, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, […]
Spotlight Speaker: Stephen Vladeck
BigTent Zoom RoomStephen Vladeck, Author of The Shadow Docket: How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic will join us on on Wednesday, June 28th at […]
American Town Hall: 2023 Annual Supreme Court Review
National Constitution CenterThe National Constitution Center and the Anti-Defamation League present an America’s Town Hall featuring legal experts Erwin Chemerinsky, Miguel Estrada, Gregory G. Garre, Frederick Lawrence, and Dahlia Lithwick to discuss […]
Read More About Preserving Democracy
How did we get here?
- May 26, 2023
Turbocharging student voters
- May 26, 2023
Navigating The Past To Understand the Present
- May 14, 2023
Not So Proud: Seditious Conspiracy
- May 14, 2023
Ballot Measures, Big Bucks
- May 13, 2023
Bucking democracy in Ohio
- April 30, 2023
Resources
More Issues we care about
Other Pro-Democracy Issues
At BigTentUSA we put democracy above partisanship. And we’re building a women-led voter coalition that does just that. We care about protecting the guardrails of democracy, ensuring government accountability and transparency, and increasing civic participation.Â
We provide accessible resources to help women become informed and take action. Join us in building a stronger and more inclusive democracy for all.
