Voter Participation is Key to Protecting Election Integrity, Experts Say

As Election Day approaches, election officials and experts are urging voters to participate actively to safeguard the integrity of the upcoming elections. Eliza Sweren-Becker, deputy director in the Brennan Center’s Voting Rights and Elections Program, stated that the most crucial action any American over 18 can take is to vote. "The way to defeat that attempt to shake voters’ trust in democracy is just to participate," Sweren-Becker said in an interview.

Concerns have been raised about the potential for prolonged vote counts, a situation President Donald Trump has previously used to cast doubt on election outcomes. Sweren-Becker acknowledged that some states may not finalize their results on Election Day, with counts extending for days or even weeks. She advised voters to be patient and understand that initial reports may not reflect the final tally. "The critical thing is we need to count every vote, and every person’s vote needs to be counted," she emphasized.

While acknowledging that states could improve efficiency in processing ballots, Sweren-Becker stressed that current procedures must be followed to ensure every legally cast ballot is counted. She also noted that states have varying rules regarding ballot submission, with some allowing mail-in ballots to arrive after Election Day, provided they were postmarked by the deadline. Voters are encouraged to explore all available options for casting their ballot, such as mail, ballot drop boxes, or in-person drop-offs at election offices.

Beyond casting a ballot, experts recommend voters verify their registration status and update their information if necessary. For those not yet registered, Sweren-Becker urged them to do so if state deadlines permit. "Our democracy works best the more of us that can participate," she said, encouraging a sense of community and civic duty in voting.

Looking beyond Election Day, Sweren-Becker expressed confidence in the established state certification processes, despite concerns about potential challenges to election results. She indicated that while attempts to block members from being seated are unlikely, the ongoing efforts to sow doubt in election systems are a persistent challenge. The intention behind these efforts, she explained, is to erode public confidence and discourage voter turnout. "The only way that that campaign to undermine our confidence and to sow distrust actually works is if voters stay home," Sweren-Becker stated.

To bolster trust in the electoral system, Sweren-Becker suggested federal reforms such as implementing same-day and online voter registration, ensuring universal access to mail-in voting, banning partisan gerrymandering, and restoring the Voting Rights Act. These measures, she argued, would establish a national standard for voter access and provide voters with stronger legal recourse if their rights are infringed upon. The Constitution grants Congress the authority to set election rules, and Sweren-Becker believes they should exercise this power to strengthen American democracy.