Our Democracy Needs Our Election Participation and Protection

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Nancy Rodriguez [email protected]

Washington, D.C. -- American Constitution Society President Russ Feingold released the following statement in anticipation of next week's Presidential Election on Nov. 5:

"Elections are the cornerstone of our democracy. We must ensure our elections are secure and free from interference, and that all voters have access to the ballot box and can participate without intimidation or harassment. In doing so, we protect our democracy, and our ability to improve the lives of all Americans.

There continue to be those who deny the results of the 2020 election and who are actively working to undermine this election. That is why ACS has worked to sign up poll workers and mobilized our network around down ballot races, specifically for those positions that are on the frontlines of election security and upholding the rule of law like Secretaries of State, State Attorneys General, and state court judges. It is imperative that you educate yourself about the candidates in these down ballot races and cast votes for each race that appears on your ballot.

As was the case four years ago, it is likely that it may take a few days or weeks for the final vote recounts to be completed and results announced. We need to support that process and exercise prudence and patience. We also, sadly, must be prepared to condemn any use of violence to achieve political ends. There is no place in our democracy or our elections for such displays of force and terror. As the country prepares for Election Day 2024, we encourage every American to be thoughtful and engaged, peacefully exercising their rights, including the right to vote, and verifying sources before sharing misinformation and disinformation.

Our urgent work restoring the courts and strengthening the progressive pipeline to the judiciary persists long after the election results are in, and maintaining our democracy and the rule of law will be critical to those efforts."

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AMERICAN CONSTITUTION SOCIETY
The American Constitution Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-partisan legal organization. Through a diverse nationwide network of progressive lawyers, law students, judges, scholars, advocates, and many others, our mission is to support and advocate for laws and legal systems that redress the founding failures of our Constitution, strengthen our democratic legitimacy, uphold the rule of law, and realize the promise of equality for all, including people of color, women, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, and other historically excluded communities. For more information, visit us at www.acslaw.org.