This election cycle will be fraught with mudslinging and misinformation, and many more attempts to discourage us from participating or even believing in our own voices and in the power of our votes. It will be up to all of us—we, the people—to rise above the noise and work together to ensure the promise of our American democracy survives and thrives.
Here are three key things you can do directly to ensure democracy prevails in 2024:
Know the rules for voting in Michigan—and help others know them, too.
Elections are run at the state level. That means each state determines its own rules on how and when you can register to vote to when and where you can cast your ballot. Become familiar now with our rules (the Michigan Voter Information Center is a great resource). And remember, your local election officials are your go-to source for all election needs. Find yours in this directory from the U.S. Vote Foundation and get in touch with them directly if you have questions.
Want to serve, literally, on the front lines of our democracy? Sign up to work at a voting location in your community! Being a poll worker gives you a unique chance to help your neighbors vote and ensure safe access to the ballot box for everyone. chance to help your neighbors vote and ensure safe access to the ballot box for everyone. Click on this link to get started.
Call out lies about our elections when you see them and help us rise above the noise.
There are adversaries to democracy out there who want to divide and deceive all of us with lies and disinformation about our voting rules, election security, and the valid results of our elections. We can’t let them win. No matter where we live or who we plan to vote for, it’s on all of us to rise above the noise and speak the truth to our friends and neighbors. Look skeptically at any images, videos and other things that could be generated with artificial intelligence. This includes robocalls, which are increasingly used as a tool to spread false election information.
Rely on trusted sources, like official local government and election officials’ websites, for your election information and seek out multiple sources for news—including voices who will challenge your beliefs rather than reinforce them. There are multiple websites that effectively debunk false and misleading statements, images, and videos from across the political spectrum. One of the most respected is FactCheck.org from The Annenberg Public Policy Center. Other reliable sites include PolitiFact and RumorGuard.
And when you find misinformation, don’t share it—expose it. Platforms like YouTube, Facebook and X have systems for reporting false information or go to reportdisinfo.org (created by Common Cause Education Fund), to report misleading information.
This election will define who we are as a country for decades to come. Make your vote a reflection of that.
This will undoubtedly be a defining year for all of us. Our votes, as individuals and as a nation, reflect who we are and who we want to be in the years ahead. So, it’s on each and every one of us as Americans to ask ourselves in this moment: Who do we want to be moving forward? Do we want to feed the noise or rise above it? Do we want to elevate politicians who use divisive rhetoric, or support those who recognize we are all in this together and inspire us to celebrate our common humanity?
My hope is that we can unite collectively as an electorate and take a stand together, supporting candidates and amplifying voices on both sides of the aisle who speak the truth and demand the same of their fellow politicians. Our elected officials need to be able to disagree without being disagreeable, devote themselves to service above self-promotion, and commit themselves to bringing our country together instead of deploying rhetoric and other tactics that can tear us apart. It’s up to us, and the votes we cast, to send that message and demand that they do.
Democracy is a decision. Let’s all decide to do our part. Because it will take all of us working together to make sure it can work for everyone.
