Saving our Elections Webinar Recap, Recording & Next Steps
On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, Standing for Democracy and the Free Washington Project hosted a webinar focused on a pressing question: how we can act now to protect our elections from ongoing and multi-faceted threats.
In addition to the recording, below you’ll find:
Webinar Overview
Moderated by longtime activist Cindy Domingo, the discussion brought together leaders from government, labor, and civil society to examine both the current threat landscape and strategies for response. The event centered on two core questions:
What is the current threat environment?
How can we respond and resist?
Speakers addressed both the risks to free and fair elections and the urgent need for coordinated action across sectors. There was a clear consensus that we must move work to engage others in this effort and to build a movement that can save our elections.
Our takeaway: we must be prepared, organized, and ready to act in our streets, precincts, and neighborhoods to protect the right to vote.
Understanding the Threats to Elections
Attorney General Nick Brown
Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown opened the discussion by outlining specific threats to free elections and the coordinated response being developed by Democratic Attorneys General.
Key threats identified:
Declaring a national emergency to cancel elections
Outlawing mail-in ballots and voting machines
Requiring DHS to create a list of approved absentee voters
Directing the USPS not to deliver mail-in ballots
A potential Supreme Court ruling requiring all ballots to be counted on Election Day
Key messages from AG Brown:
Voters should not rely on the USPS and instead personally deliver ballots to local drop boxes
His office will not allow ICE or federal agents to interfere with voting processes
Legal challenges are already underway to counter these threats
Public support is essential—government action alone is not enough
See below for a list of threats and
Building a Broader Resistance
Bill Fletcher Jr., Standing for Democracy Co-Founder
Bill Fletcher Jr. framed the issue within a broader struggle against authoritarianism, emphasizing that the threat extends beyond individual political actors.
Key points:
The challenge involves not only Trump and MAGA forces, but also the tech, fossil fuel, and finance industries
A broad alignment of forces is necessary, including: labor, immigrant rights groups, and civil rights and civil liberties organizations
Lawsuits alone will not be sufficient
The movement must act now—not wait until November
On labor’s role:
Labor has been slow to engage
It must be brought front and center—and take a leadership role
Panel: How We Respond
The second panel focused on actionable strategies for voter protection and engagement, featuring leaders from four organizations.
Charles Douglas III, Executive Director, Common Power
Key Points:
Common Power’s voter protection and canvassing efforts engage volunteers across 15 key states
Emphasized organizing rooted in civil rights movement strategies of the 1960s
Recent electoral results in Wisconsin and Georgia suggest that some Republicans and Trump voters are shifting their support. In Wisconsin, the Supreme Court race saw a 60–40 victory for Judge Chris Taylor. In Georgia, Democratic candidate Shawn Harris, running for Marjorie Taylor Greene’s seat, significantly outperformed prior cycles, with a 25–30 point swing in his favor.
Key Takeaway: Direct engagement—even with opposing voters—on economic issues can shift outcomes
Stuart Holmes, Director of Elections, Office of the Secretary of State
Discussed a Mississippi Supreme Court case that could impact ballot counting nationwide
Potential impact:
Ballots received after Election Day could be disqualified—even if postmarked on time
This would affect Washington and 18 other states
Response strategy:
Increase early voter engagement
Strengthen community-based organizing
Mobilize volunteers for voter protection efforts
Cherika Carter, Secretary Treasurer, Washington State Labor Council (WSLC)
Outlined plans representing over 500,000 workers statewide
Focusing voter turnout, voter protection, member education
Key message:
Labor can and should lead in ensuring voting rights
Engagement is critical, especially given that many union members voted for Trump
David Montes, Staff Attorney, ACLU of Washington
Highlighted legal advocacy and community engagement efforts
Key contributions:
Led successful litigation challenging discriminatory election systems (e.g., Yakima City Council case)
Ongoing lawsuits in coordination with Attorneys General
Community education and organizing efforts
Key takeaway: Combined efforts across organizations create a “bulwark” against anti-democratic policies
Our Take: From Webinar to Action
There was clear consensus among speakers: We must move beyond discussion and actively build a movement to protect our elections.
Next steps emphasized
Continue engaging and organizing communities
Strengthen coordination between:
State officials
Advocacy organizations
Grassroots groups
Prepare for rapid response to emerging threats
A Proposal: Community Election Engagement Board
Standing for Democracy is calling for the creation of a Community Election Engagement Board. Such an assemblage of voting rights and protection organizations could meet regularly to provide support and strategic judgment to the fight back efforts of all involved to make sure we are up to the tasks, fully understand the threats when they come to fruition, and engage in scenario planning analysis. We would approach the state Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Democratic Party to constitute this Board and coordinate efforts.
We must all be prepared and ORGANIZED to go to the streets, precincts, and our neighborhoods to make sure our right to vote is protected.
10 Election Threats
Martial Law/Cancel elections. Democracy Docket
Executive Orders to outlaw mail-in ballots and use of voting machines on the basis that they are susceptible to foreign interference under National Emergencies Act (NEA) and the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEA). Brennan Center
Trump Executive Order of March 31, 2026 requiring DHS to create a “list” of approved absentee voters. Politico
Supreme Court ‘s expected ruling that all ballots must be counted on Election Day. This ruling, expected this Spring, would require 29 states (including Washington) which allow counting mail in ballots after Election Day to amend their processes so all votes are counting by the end of the election day. NPR
FBI/DOJ Requests for or Seizure of Voting Data from state election officials including from Washington. Brennan Center
The federal government has sued more than 20 states and Washington, DC, for not complying. At least 12 states have either provided or said they will provide their full statewide voter registration lists, including driver’s license and Social Security numbers. Brennan Center
Deploying ICE or federal agents to voting locations or where ballots are collected. Trump advisor Steve Bannon has called for ICE to be deployed to polling places around the country. The Guardian
SAVE Act passage (House approved, pending Senate) would radically disenfranchise millions of voters who do not have passports or birth certificates with their names. Brennan Center
Physical Threats to Election Officials and Workers “In a 2025 survey, more than one in three local officials said that they had experienced threats, harassment, or abuse because of their job. Seasoned professionals have been driven out of election administration, contributing to unsustainable turnover.” Brennan Center
Cyberattacks on Election Security/Disinformation about voting times/locations etc (Texas primary in 2026). Brennan Center
Ideas to Prepare and Organize
Here are some of the ideas of how to respond to the threats identified above in order and which sectors may play the lead and become involved in the responses outlined.
Mass Demonstrations leading to a general strike/closure of businesses and schools | All Sectors
Legal Challenges by AG to allow WA voters to use mail in ballots | State AG
Legal Challenges to prohibit the creation of an “approved list of voters.” | ACLU, Democracy Docket, and State AGs
Revision of state’s election process and extensive “Get out the Vote” actions to insure ALL voters get their ballots, vote early and deposit in approved ballot collection places in advance of election day | All Sectors
Legal Challenges to prevent seizure of voting data. Its collection by the federal government raises serious privacy and security concerns and may violate state and federal laws | State AG
Keep ICE from polling places and organize the neighborhoods and communities to collect and cast ballots | All Sectors
State and local officials to ban or prevent federal presence
Mobilize anti-ICE forces to block ICE from interfering with ballot casting and collection.
Resources:
Connecticut bill would bar ICE agents within 250 feet of polling places
California bill would ban ICE agents from being near polling sites
Larson, Williams, Escobar Introduce Legislation to Protect Elections from Illegal ICE Interference
ICE chief admits there’s no reason for immigration agents to be at voting sites
Lobby Senate to Defeat SAVE Act | All Sectors
Increased security for state/local election officials | State AG and Secretary of State
Review Secretary of State cybersecurity systems well prior to election | Secretary of State of WA
Blog post written by Standing for Democracy