Defending democracy is everyone’s responsibility

By Michael A. Grant, J.D.
TriceEdneyWire.com Columnist

It seems that every four years, we are told that the presidential election before us is the most important one of our lifetime. Oftentimes, the claim is hyperbole. But to say that 2024 will be one of the most consequential elections of our lifetime will prove to be urgently true.

This fast – approaching election will determine whether or not the United States of America will survive as a constitutional democracy. Who we choose as the next leaders of the free world will determine in large measure whether the republic that holds the promise for a planet in turmoil will itself survive. Keeping America strong, resilient and a force for good in the world is the responsibility of all of us. And keeping our form of government functioning with an intact democratic system is how each of us can participate in this grand undertaking.

So, yes, this election is critically important and each voter must be willing to actively participate. It is our civic duty to vote and to do what we can to protect the integrity of the vote. Regardless of the impediments that might be placed as obstacles, each eligible citizen has a constitutional right to vote and to have that vote counted accurately.

Below is an example of how one man, Athan L. Gibbs Sr., an African-American accountant, responded to the debacle that was the Bush-Gore race of 2000. I had the privilege of teaming up with Athan, the inventor of the TruVote Validation and Verification Voting System, as his vice president for marketing. He, like so many others was outraged that African-American voters were ten times more likely to not have their ballots counted in Florida. He was incensed that those charged with overseeing the election were so inept or biased and that their vote tabulators were so prone to error. A brilliant auditor, he devised a voting system with several levels of redundancy and with software that produced a paper trail of the vote. His system addressed the issues of over-votes and under-votes. He made it possible to audit the election at the precinct level. Though not given credit for revolutionizing voting in America, that is exactly what he did. Unfortunately, he died tragically in a car accident before he was given full credit for his invention.

I recount Athan’s contribution because he gave everything he had to ensure that the processes that we use to elect our leaders worked properly. While each of us may not be endowed with Athan Gibbs’ inventive genius, we can each maximize our roles in protecting our sacred democracy against those who would subvert the will of the people.

The most profound reason for ensuring the survival of American democracy is that it frustrates the ignominious intentions of despots. It acts as a restraining force against those whose malevolent intentions seek to disenfranchise voters, usurp power and abrogate the constitutionally protected rights of others.

Even with a democratic system, codified by law, America has had an inglorious past where many of its citizens were relegated to positions of societal inferiority. But the country’s founding documents provided an expanding framework which eventually allowed suffrage for those who were historically disenfranchised. When the right to vote – to participate in our democracy – was granted, America inched closer and closer to the ideals espoused in her founding documents. The country is still evolving “Toward a more perfect union” where all are guaranteed equal protection under the law. All are invited to share in the power of governing.

However, in the aftermath of our last presidential election, we were awakened to the inescapable reality that our democracy is fragile. January 6, 2021, reminded us that we could have been one insurrection away from a republic in danger of collapse. When the peaceful transfer of power is threatened, the will of the people can be thwarted and democracy replaced with authoritarian (fascist) rule.

Thomas Jefferson was quoted as saying: “The true price of liberty is eternal vigilance.” Our liberty is sustained by the sacred bonds of trust that we periodically renew through our democratic rituals. Our elections empower each of us to help perpetuate a system that protects the freedoms of all Americans. If we fully partake in this social ritual, we increase the probability or electing leaders who will honor their sacred duty to our constitution and to the rights of all U.S. citizens. I genuinely believe the only way to guarantee America’s uninterrupted march “Toward a more perfect union” is for all of us to take voting seriously. For if we do, I believe the true champions of democracy in this race will prevail with a resounding victory for Kamala Harris and Tim Walz.

This article originally published in the September 16, 2024 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.