John,

In the lead up to the midterms I was on edge. Given the steady drumbeat of ominous news reports, we were deeply concerned that the elections could turn chaotic, and that democratic norms and standards would continue to be brushed aside.

But we were all pleasantly surprised. It was a good day for our democracy.

Officials across the country are doing their jobs and still counting the votes. In many of the most competitive, high-profile races, our fellow citizens rejected candidates who lie about our elections and seek to undermine the rule of law. Politicians who lost did the right thing and conceded. Political violence was nonexistent. There was near-record turnout, and heroic election officials and poll workers conducted safe, smooth, and secure elections in the face of harassment and intimidation.

Coming out of the midterms, we see a new coalition in America for democracy and the rule of law. It’s made up of Republicans, Democrats, and independents, all of whom are united by their loyalty to the Constitution, to civility, and to pushing our country’s great experiment in freedom and self-government forward.

At the same time, the threats to our democracy remain serious. Across the country, many candidates who questioned or denied the results of the election won House, Senate, governor, attorney general, and secretary of state races.

That’s why we must work to consolidate the gains we made and and do everything we can to strengthen our election infrastructure, reduce election-related disinformation, protect poll workers and their families, and speed up vote counting. All of those improvements will instill greater trust in the system. All require more funding from Congress for local and state elections. Elections are essential, national infrastructure. Additionally, we need to update the Electoral Count Act, continue to push back on efforts to restrict Americans’ access to the ballot, and ensure that all voters are able to make their voices heard.  

Issue One is ready to keep fighting, with your help, for these and so many other game-changing reforms to build a democracy that works for everyone. Let’s get to work.

We’re glad you're with us,

Nick Penniman
Founder and CEO, Issue One