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June 26, 2024 ABA Task Force for American Democracy

24 for ’24: Urgent Recommendations in Law, Media, Politics, and Tech for Fair and Legitimate 2024 U.S. Elections

Safeguarding Democracy Project, UCLA Law September 2023

Summary

This bipartisan report provides 24 recommendations to enhance trust, transparency, and security for the 2024 elections. The recommendations are organized across four subject areas: law, media, politics, and tech. This report catalogues existing and emergent threats to public trust in elections. Recommendations are provided with a special emphasis on concrete solutions that can be quickly implemented prior to the 2024 elections.  

Key Findings/Messages

Even as election administration becomes more professionalized, there is a “crisis of confidence” in the integrity of elections. This crisis is a multi-faceted problem, requiring solutions across a broad spectrum of stakeholders. The problems in law, media, politics, and tech are manifest: Law - 20% of local election officials stated they may quit before the 2024 election due to threats; Media - the 2024 elections will likely be covered by many inexperienced journalists who are unfamiliar with the intricacies of the electoral process; Politics - electoral losers are engaging in frivolous and bad faith challenges to results with increased frequency; Tech - artificial intelligence advances threaten to undermine accurate information and reporting online.

Key Recommendations Made:

  • Law: Courts should strive to rule on electoral issues as quickly as possible instead of waiting until immediately before or during elections. States should strengthen laws protecting election officials, promote rapid determination of election results, and pass emergency statutes governing distribution of power and responsibilities in election emergencies.
  • Media: The media needs to provide timely and accurate information in a manner that supports transparency. News organizations should fund workshops to develop reporters’ understanding of election processes. Reporters should avoid relying on partial results to engage in horse race reporting. Social media sites should preserve their capacity to combat election disinformation without infringing on robust political debate.
  • Politics: Election officials should strive to ensure all eligible voters are provided the opportunity to register and vote. Electoral losers should accept results and only undertake good faith challenges to elections results. Legislatures should create election emergency funds for use during crises like pandemics, terrorist attacks, and natural disasters.
  • Tech: Implement mandatory background checks for election administrators with access to critical voting tech systems. Implement online ballot tracking but avoid the use of electronic ballot return. Election officials should obtain a .gov domain for authenticated internet presence and official communication.