[link removed] [[link removed]]
As part of Future Caucus’ mission to bridge partisan divides, overcome toxic polarization, and build a healthy democracy that empowers public servants and serves Americans from all walks of life, we are dedicated to ensuring that our lawmakers are well-equipped to navigate the excitement—and divisiveness—of this election season.
To that end, we have shared some resources with members of the State Future Caucus Network that may also be of interest to you before, during, and after Election Day.
The resources below include nonpartisan data and cross-partisan insights that may be helpful to you in navigating the unique dynamics of the 2024 election cycle. We hope they can serve as useful tools for handling your own experiences in the weeks and months ahead.
For an overview of the resources we sent our lawmakers, please see below.
View Resources [[link removed]]
COMMUNICATING WITH CONSTITUENTS
According to a February poll from the Bipartisan Policy Center, approximately 3 in 10 Americans [[link removed]] are “less than confident” that their votes will be counted accurately in the 2024 election. As lawmakers, you play an essential role in fostering transparent, fact-based conversations that create conditions where constituents continue to trust America’s democratic process, including elections.
Key Talking Points About Election Safety
1.
American
elections
are
models
for
fairness,
freedom,
and
checks
and
balances.
2.
Americans
are
confident
that
their
votes
will
be
counted
as
intended
at
the
local
level,
and
local
elections
officials
[[link removed]]
are
the
most
trusted
sources
for
information
about
elections.
3.
Teams
of
people
from
both
parties
work
together
at
every
step
of
the
voting,
counting,
and
reporting
process,
from
checking
voter
eligibility,
to
confirming
the
accuracy
of
results
from
each
voting
location,
to
securely
transporting
ballots
and
other
materials,
to
serving
as
independent
observers.
4.
Elections
are
run
with
similar
security
principles
and
safeguards
across
the
country.
5.
Election
results
come
from
counting
every
vote
and
following
the
law,
not
media
predictions
or
candidates
who
claim
victory.
Results
will
take
time;
it’s
better
to
be
accurate.
Below are several resources from trusted nonpartisan and cross-partisan sources for you to consider as you develop your approach to discussing America's democratic processes, institutions, and safeguards, with a focus on election security and integrity.
-- United In Security: How Every State Protects Your Vote [[link removed]] : Contains clear, concise, detailed explanations that help lawmakers and voters alike understand the security and integrity protections that make American elections strong, resilient, and trustworthy in every jurisdiction. This resource was developed jointly by the Bipartisan Policy Center, Issue One, and R Street.
-- Conservative Principles for Building Trust in Elections [[link removed]] : Outlines principles designed to help conservative leaders shore up confidence in American elections within their local communities, but leaders across the political spectrum may find it useful. It also provides examples for the application of these principles in public statements and conversation. This toolkit was developed by the Johns Hopkins University SNF Agora Institute and R Street.
-- Misinformation Dashboard [[link removed]] : Tracks key topics and tactics of 2024 election misinformation, as well as data on the spread of specific narratives and misinformation about top policy issues, including election integrity. The site highlights overall trends in misinformation and provides a running list of examples of viral misinformation, with fact-checking. This tool was designed by the nonpartisan, nonprofit News Literacy Project.
-- State-by-State Law Enforcement Quick Reference Guides [[link removed]] : Summarize key penal provisions found within state law for each state, including electoral security and integrity protections. They also have contact information for reporting suspicious behavior to local and state election officials, as well as state-specific details about polling times, places, and formats. These guides were developed by the cross-partisan Committee for Safe and Secure Elections.
-- Election Violence Prevention Resource Hub [[link removed]] : Contains materials to prevent and report instances of political violence, developed by the international violence-prevention group Over Zero. In addition, explore messaging guidance on the following topics:
1.
Waiting
for
Results
[[link removed]]
2.
Disputed
Results
[[link removed]]
3.
Premature
Declarations
of
Victory
[[link removed]]
Each of these resources is one tool in your communications toolkit, equipping you to proactively share messaging around bipartisanship, election integrity and security, and nonviolent political participation. If you integrate these strategies into your communications plan, consider leveraging your social media content or constituent newsletters, as well as op-eds or letters to the editor.
PLANNING AND PREPARING
Elections can be contentious and lead to confrontations—with strangers online, with family at the dinner table, or even in public. It’s important that people express their views in safe, healthy, and peaceful ways.
You have no doubt imagined a long, varied list of election scenarios. How prepared do you feel to respond to each of them, both as a citizen and as a leader? Consider hosting an election scenario planning meeting with your Future Caucus chapter, fellow lawmakers, or even your family to develop plans—and backup plans—for responsibly and safely navigating this election.
Scenario planning helps decision-makers identify ranges of potential outcomes and impacts, evaluate responses, and manage for both positive and negative possibilities. Moreover, by visualizing potential risks and opportunities, scenario planning can help you become proactive versus simply reacting to events.
Here is a resource to help you plan: Election Scenario Planning [[link removed]] — a document that presents hypothetical scenarios designed to spark ideas and problem-solving, aimed at increasing community resilience during polarized or contentious elections. This resource was developed by the TRUST Network [[link removed]] and the Listen First Project [[link removed]] .
If you’d like to explore ideas for engaging on these issues with your community and your state, please contact Future Caucus! Our public affairs team will be happy to discuss ways that you can use your voice to help strengthen the foundations of US democracy and promote trust in our elections, and the Policy Innovation Lab team can connect you with additional resources, data, and expertise on election integrity and security in your state.
Best,
Reed Howard
Chief Strategy & Public Affairs Officer
Contact Us
[email protected]
Future Caucus
1701 Rhode Island Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]
unsubscribe: [link removed]