[Trump’s] failure is, in large part, a result of his team’s errors. While their approach broadly resembled foreign authoritarians’, it was a poor copy at every level — a strategically unsound campaign, with poorly thought-out tactics that were executed incompetently.
-Zack Beauchamp, Trump is Losing
At best, Trump’s search for phantom voter fraud is a distraction from the very real voter suppression efforts carried out systematically by his own party – and from the recent, high-profile federal court decisions striking down those laws.
- Cassie Miller SPLC
Read more about trans voting rights and protecting ballot access
The House version of the SAVE Act, H.R. 22, which Republicans have pledged to put on a fast track to approval, carries this innocuous sounding summary: “To amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of United States citizenship to register an individual to vote in elections for Federal office, and for other purposes.” It has 81 sponsors. They are all Republicans. You can read the full text of the bill here.
The current priority in voter reform is protecting free and fair elections in 2026 and 2028. The administration will be seeking out ways to surpress the right to vote, undermine confidence in the system and find ways to nullify votes for opposing candidates.
In an authoritarian regime one of the best weapons is slowing down the momentum they have. The more time people have to stop and think, the less likely their power goes unchecked. Here is how we as a population can slow the roll.
Do not accept anything as inevitable: Hopelessness is the greatest fuel authoritarianism has going for it. The more hope people have the harder it is for the opposition to keep moving forward.
Challenge Every Action: Keep pressure on all law makers, media outlets, and anyone with influence. The oppositions expects you to quiet down and get over it eventually.
Embrace Escalation, Don't Fear It: What does a cornered bully always do? He lashes out. As the public increasingly disapproves of the administration, Trump's despiration will encourage him to resort to extreme measures to consolidate power and control. When this happens, and it will happen, you must be ready to stay strong and united against the attempts to intimidate.
Prioritize safety: Make it clear that autocrats represent a culture of death and violence. While demanding radical changes, pro-democracy actors must condemn political violence even when it benefits them. This includes repsecting court orders, calling out corruption even on our own side, and evaluating the security of communities and individuals. Proactively work towards increasing safety and protecting from those who would do harm.
Protect targets and the vulnerable: Trump has already shown how he is going after vulnerable communities, by doing this he convinces other communities to get in line to avoid a similar fate. When communities come together to protect those more vulnerable, it protects the collective and strengthens resolve. Think of the NATO article V quote "an attack against one … is an attack against all".
Focus on Elections: While there will certainly be attempts to rig the upcoming elections to maintain power, as long as the people keep their eyes open democracy will not be taken from us. In anticipation, keep an eye on legal and administrative infrastructure risks to having fair elections.
Read the Indivisible guidebook on how everyday Americans can gight for democracy together.We have an obligation to not just fight against authoritarianism, but to fight to protect the system of democracy itself. In trying to build a better future, we must implement the following strategies
Create pro-democracy coalitions before the crisis arrives: Don't wait to organize until a problem arises. You need support and power from so many different areas of government and law. Building coalitions is time-consuming and requires legwork to establish respect and develop alignment.
Take the opposition seriously: Frame the issues as important and impacting to everyone. Let voters know exactly what is at stake and how it will impact them specficially. Do not treat this as a simple "left v. right" political arguement. This needs to be framed less as a compeition and more as a threat.
Bigger-coalitions tend to succeed: Cross ideological and cross-sectoral groups tend to do better in resisting or outing autocrats because they tell voters how everything relates back to the bigger strategy - protecting democracy. Try to partner with groups that support the larger picture even if they're not typically related (e.g. pro-environmentalism and unions can both argue against lack of AI regulations). We are stronger together than separated.
Be welcoming: There's nothing we'd love more than to stick it to most ex-trumpers with a big I told you so, and there are definitely spaces for that. But when organizing the more important focus is helping people to realize the harm they're now experiencing and understanding comes from autocracy and that they need to work with us to restore democracy. You cannot neglect support for republicans who choose to stand up for democracy. Make it clear that this movement is not about pety rivalry and that you will fight against tyrany not simply those who don't think like you. That's the strategy of the autocrats.
Focus on a messsage of reform: Rather than just focusing on what is going wrong, coalitions need to give supporters hope in a new future. A positive vision of not just surviving the administration but flourishing afterwards is key. Talk about political reforms like eliminating the two party system or improving proportional representation.
Encourage involvement and competition: Different groups will be able to serve different needs and purposes. And democracy is all about diversity of thought and ideas. Don't be afraid to support independent or non-partison public servants. In able to create a pro-democracy society groups should remember it is important to encourage other groups to succeed so long as we are all working towards the larger picture.
