(RNS) — In Georgia, a runoff election for a U.S. Senate seat is lower than per week away, with most polls displaying the distinction within the race to be inside the margin of error. Whoever wins on Tuesday (Dec. 6), right here’s the true information: Nobody is storming the state Capitol or camped outdoors election officers’ houses. Nobody is assaulting cops. Nobody is threatening violence.
That we depend Georgia’s peaceable runoff, and the comparatively orderly election midterm season that simply handed, as a victory is each great and a warning. Democracy received the midterms. Voters received the midterms. Free and truthful elections received the midterms. The gorgeous range of our nation received the midterms. Resoundingly.
We ignore that at our personal peril.
Regardless of our lengthy historical past of accepting election outcomes and peaceable transfers of energy, what occurred on this election was removed from assured. In 2021, almost 20 states handed legal guidelines proscribing voter entry. This included limiting mail-in balloting, purging voter rolls and decreasing voting hours on Election Day itself. The intent was clear: Restrict who can vote. When. The place. How. This makes it a lot simpler for these in energy to stay in energy.
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Direct makes an attempt to undermine our electoral system, coupled with the widespread false perception that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, made the midterms an actual take a look at. Add threats of violence and Election Day 2022 may have been a catastrophe.
As an alternative, voter turnout exceeded the turnout within the 2018 midterms in lots of areas (though not general). Regardless of the quite a few new obstacles to voting erected in so many states, individuals stood in line, endured the rain and snow and did what wanted to be accomplished to make sure their voices had been heard.
Folks forged their ballots at Coit Arts Academy in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on Nov. 8, 2022. (Joel Bissell/The Grand Rapids Press by way of AP, File)
In in my residence state of Ohio, the place I served as a ballot chaplain, individuals turned out in droves to forged their ballots, regardless of quite a few threats in opposition to election employees and arranged efforts at voter intimidation and suppression.
In every single place, first-time voters confirmed up in unexpectedly giant numbers, catching many pollsters and prognosticators off guard who hadn’t adequately factored of their affect. Within the face of this welcome growth, candidates, even some who had claimed fraud within the 2020 outcomes, have usually accepted the outcomes.
However that is no time for complacency. The promise of democracy and the way forward for our nation nonetheless grasp within the steadiness and Congress can nonetheless act to guard us. There are efforts proper now to reform the Electoral Depend Act of 1887 earlier than the present Congress ends. They’ve actual momentum, with a bipartisan group of senators working to seek out frequent floor. This may be an simply neglected sleeper problem of the lame-duck session.
Voters should proceed to indicate up for his or her democracy as nicely. As Quakers, we affirm that voting is barely the start, not the tip, of our civic obligation. As soon as officers are sworn into workplace, we have to hold them linked to communities they symbolize and maintain them accountable for his or her actions. We have to construct relationships with them, share our tales and show the form of bipartisan problem-solving we count on from them. Keep in mind, they work for us. Not the opposite approach round.
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Over the long run, we should work collectively to make our electoral system fairer and extra equitable. This may be certain that all voices are heard, the desire of the bulk is revered and the rights of the minority are protected. Our leaders should make it simpler for individuals to take part and more durable for these so inclined to control the vote.
Bridget Moix. Photograph by way of FCNL.org
Quakers and other people of religion acknowledge that voting is greater than a fundamental civic proper — it’s an ethical requirement. Democracy doesn’t enable its residents to take a seat on the sidelines. Central to our religion is the unwavering perception in and dedication to the equality and dignity of each human. Safeguarding the integrity of the voting course of for all individuals is significant to our democracy and our integrity as a nation.
(Bridget Moix is the fifth normal secretary of the Mates Committee on Nationwide Laws in addition to director of Mates Place on Capitol Hill and the FCNL Training Fund. The views expressed on this commentary don’t essentially mirror these of Faith Information Service.)
