States United Democracy Center

In this week's newsletter: A poll about trust in election results, updates about President-elect Trump's criminal cases, and news from Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

GREAT NEWS! CLC's #DemocracyDecoded podcast is a 2024 Davey Awards Gold Winner! We're honored to be recognized as a Davey, using innovation and creativity to take on the Goliath-esque forces working to undermine American democracy.? Catch up on our latest episode, which reflects on the results of #Election2024 ??https://lnkd.in/eAr5_D_C #award #podcast #DemocracyDecoded #elections #voting?

Democracy is a team sport. It thrives when we work together to uphold it. We’re endlessly grateful to the hundreds of thousands of election heroes who protect our elections and defend the rule of law. “We have come a long way from where we were four years ago, and I give a lot of credit to the election officials for the work that they have done, and so many partners and groups who have been dedicated to the election process and democracy," says Tina Barton, senior elections expert at The Elections Group .?? https://lnkd.in/eWAtsrHg?

At States United, we're committed to helping state officials on the front lines of democracy protect the rule of law and our free, fair, and secure elections. Connect with us on Bluesky to stay updated on the issues that matter most. ?? https://lnkd.in/e9hFZvRc

THANK YOU, #NORTHCAROLINA! Nearly 7,000 veterans and military family members signed up to serve as poll workers through Vet the Vote in North Carolina this election season. They join the 163,000+ veterans and military family members nationwide who volunteered to serve again. #VETtheVOTE #BEthePROCESS #pollworkers #vote #veterans #militaryfamilies

We’re proud to announce that our groundbreaking interactive hub, ElectionDeniers.org, has won SILVER at The Anthem Awards for Best Research Project?in the?Human & Civil Rights category! ?? ?? Huge congratulations to our incredible?Communications and Research teams who have continued to expand the reach and scope of this vital resource?to keep voters informed in the movement to protect our free and fair elections. ? ? ?? Visit our tracker at ElectionDeniers.org. ?? Learn more about our win: https://lnkd.in/epGpKAtQ?

Earlier this year, a Texas appeals court threw out the wrongful conviction of Crystal Mason, who had been accused of illegal voting. It was the right call: Bipartisan legal experts said she never should have been charged in the first place. But now Mason has to fight for justice yet again.?? This week, States United brought together former state and federal prosecutors of both parties to argue that Mason’s acquittal should stand.

NEW: A bipartisan group of former state and federal prosecutors, including members of our States United Bipartisan Advisory Board,?filed an amicus brief urging Texas’ Court of Criminal Appeals to confirm Crystal Mason's acquittal and uphold a lower court's decision to overturn her conviction. “Crystal Mason deserves this acquittal. She has always deserved justice,” said?Christine P. Sun, SVP of Legal at the States United Democracy Center.?“Voters should never be charged—much less convicted—for making good-faith mistakes. We remain confident that the court will agree that Mason’s acquittal should stand.” https://lnkd.in/e2nGEwFQ

Election denial is a strategy to undermine results, not uphold election integrity. "The election denial heading into election day 2024 has always been about laying the groundwork to claim fraud and overturn the results if they lose,” Lizzie Ulmer, SVP of Strategy and Communications at States United Action, explained to The Guardian. “So it’s not surprising that the conspiracy narratives have gone quiet around races where election deniers’ preferred candidates won. But the harm is still incredibly real: this kind of rhetoric and false claims have chipped away at the American people’s faith in our system.”? https://lnkd.in/gpFpttmD??

"Since our organization was founded, we’ve said that the work of protecting our democracy starts in the states," States United CEO Joanna Lydgate writes in this week's newsletter. "That’s never been more true than it is today."