Saving our Elections Webinar: Recap & Recording

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.

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.

Overview of the Webinar

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

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, convened by the Attorney General and Secretary of State. Such an assemblage could meet regularly and be commissioned 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 must all be prepared and ORGANIZED to go to the streets, precincts, and our neighborhoods to make sure our right to vote is protected.

Standing for Democracy plans to formally propose this initiative in the coming week and invites broader participation.