This Martin Luther King Day, we celebrate one of the chief architects of our modern republic. The work of Dr. King and his peers in the civil rights movement transformed America, breaking down barriers to voting and paving the way to something unprecedented in almost all of history: a true multi-racial democracy.

Today also marks the inauguration of a president whose actions have challenged democratic norms and highlighted the fragility of our democracy. The coming years may bring unprecedented challenges to the progress Dr. King fought so hard to achieve. Anti-democratic legislation, executive actions, and court rulings threaten to erode the gains of the last 60 years. Those of us committed to safeguarding and expanding the right to vote must rise to meet these challenges with renewed resolve.

At FairVote Minnesota, we are dedicated to defending and strengthening our democracy. We will stand firm against these attacks and continue the vital work of expanding ranked choice voting to build a more inclusive and resilient democratic system here in Minnesota.

Together, we have the power to advance Dr. King’s vision and ensure our democracy works for all Minnesotans. Over the next year, we will:

Advocate for RCV at the state legislature,
Protect the progress we’ve made in Minnesota’s five RCV cities, and
Empower communities to engage in building a stronger democratic future.

The road ahead may be challenging, but I am confident that together we can emerge stronger than ever. Let us carry forward Dr. King’s legacy by continuing to champion justice, equality, and the power of the ballot box.

The ongoing work of building a multi-racial democracy in Dr. King’s vision starts with all of us. Thank you for being part of this critical work.

Jeanne Massey