CAN we keep it?
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Hi Friend,

 

There’s a story about Benjamin Franklin I’m sure you’ve heard before. 

 

In the final days of the Constitutional Convention, Franklin was asked whether
the delegates had created a monarchy or a republic. 

 

“A Republic,” Franklin responded, “if you can keep it.”

 

I’ve always thought that Franklin’s response alluded to the more basic
elements of our Republic: voting, debating, running for office. But recently,
I’ve been considering the more existential side of his musing. 

 

Can we keep it? 

 

We have to try. We may not have all the answers, but I’m confident the
important work happening right now at Unite America to foster a movement of
advocates, elected officials, and thought leaders will make a difference in the
effort.Here are three things to think about this week:

This is a democracy in danger.
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One of the most essential elements of a democracy? Free and fair elections. We
trust that our votes are being counted by individuals who are accurately and
dutifully reflecting the will of the people. But in the aftermath of the 2020
election, our elections and election workers are being put in serious danger. 

 

Reuters
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this week dives deep into the horrifying threats of violence that have been
constantly directed toward election officials nationwide. Over the last seven
months, election officials, poll workers, and everyone in between have been
besieged by bomb threats, racist taunts, and armed protests threatening
violence not only to themselves, but to their family members as well. 


If you’ve been looking for a sign that it's time to double down on protecting
our democracy, this is it.Read this story, and join me in appreciating just how
important the work happening in states and DC is to ensure elections are
appropriately funded and that election administrators are properly supported.



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A path to follow.
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Election reform isn’t a silver bullet to every problem our country is facing,
but reforms recently put in place and those on the horizon are poised to make
powerful and profound improvements to make our government more representative
and functional. In Alaska, voters adopted Final-Four voting, a combination of
nonpartisan primaries with a ranked choice voting general election. The reform
itself has the power to change the political calculus of elected leaders by
making them beholden to all Alaska voters — not just the few who vote in the
primary. 

 

This week, Alaskan civic leaders Scott Kendall and La quen náay Liz Medicine
Crow write about Alaska’s reform
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, noting that it should guide future states in their efforts to ensure that
voters come first. 

 

“Why are these changes so powerful?,” they write. “Because the current way we
vote — closed party primaries and uncompetitive general elections — has done
something astounding over time: It actually discourages problem-solving and
cooperation.” 



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A reminder about our struggle
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Finally, an important history lesson from Unite Colorado
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Juneteenth, a holiday traditionally celebrated by African Americans as a
celebration of Black culture. The origins of Juneteenth date back to the Civil
War, when Union Troops reached Galveston, Texas with the news that President
Lincoln had signed Proclamation 95, freeing slaves in the Confederacy — two
years after the decree had been signed. 

 

The holiday, while celebrated in Black communities, should serve as a lesson
for all Americans. Juneteenth and these words from leaders likeUnite Colorado’s
Terrance Carroll teach us that the fight for true freedom in this country
requires continual effort to ensure the rights that protect our freedoms are
upheld and accessible to all — after all what good is the right to vote if you
can’t access it?Without accountability and constant engagement from citizens,
democracy will falter and freedom will remain out of reach for many. 


Check out their blog
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getting involved!



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Brett
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Brett Maney
Senior Communications Manager
Unite America
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