Former Michigan governors and elected officials from both parties are teaming up to combat misinformation and attacks on voting and ballot-counting in swing states ahead of the upcoming presidential election. The Democracy Defense Project, which includes officials from states like Georgia, aims to build trust in elections through various strategies such as radio and TV ads, media outreach, and local engagement. This effort is particularly important given the history of attacks on election systems by former President Donald Trump and his allies, who have consistently sought to undermine the results of the 2020 presidential election.
In Michigan, where Trump and his supporters raised allegations of voter fraud and pressured officials not to certify results, the issue of election integrity is especially significant. The state saw armed protesters surrounding the secretary of state’s home and legal challenges to the certification process. As the 2022 election approaches, many officials and attorneys are preparing for similar challenges. Despite the lack of evidence supporting claims of widespread fraud, Trump continues to warn his followers that Democrats will attempt to cheat, further fueling distrust in the election process.
A recent survey found that while most Americans trust government-certified election results to some degree, Republicans are more likely to trust Trump and his campaign over official sources. The majority of Republicans also believe Trump’s claims that Joe Biden was not legitimately elected president, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The continued denial of the 2020 election results by Trump has been described by former officials like Mike Bishop as disappointing and a “crushing blow” for the Republican Party. Former Governor John Engler echoed these sentiments, stating that Trump lost the election and will not serve as president in the current term.
Despite condemnation of Trump’s comments about the 2020 election from many members of the Democracy Defense Project, some still plan to support him in the upcoming election. The group, which is operating in eight states, believes in the importance of the election system and the legitimacy of the 2020 election results. The effort to build trust in elections and combat misinformation is crucial in light of ongoing attempts to undermine the integrity of the electoral process. With former governors and officials from both parties coming together to address these challenges, there is hope for restoring confidence in the democratic process and ensuring fair and transparent elections in the future.
