Overview
The goals of the ABA’s Task Force for American Democracy (the “Task Force”) include:
- Bolstering confidence in our elections and building support for election workers and officials.
- Educating the public on American Democracy and the Rule of Law and why they are foundational to every aspect of American lives.
- Suggesting ideas to the American people for improving and strengthening our democracy and our elections.
In furtherance of those goals, the Task Force has been convening Listening Tours in seven key states where the outcome of the 2020 election was questioned by some Americans. The format of these events has varied between the states, but they have all started with introductory remarks by the organizers, followed by a keynote address by a state election official, that leads into a panel of local election officials who provide their perspectives on why the upcoming 2024 elections will be trustworthy. The second agenda item of the Listening Tours has varied by location, ranging from a panel on the value of democracy to American life, to the need to improve civics and civility in the state’s public discourse, to strategies to educate and inform citizens to increase their confidence in our government and elections. In one state, the organizers allotted time for breakout sessions to discuss concerns and ideas for increasing trust in our elections as well as improving public understanding of and support for our democracy. The agendas for the three states in which Listening Tours have been held to date are set forth in Appendix 1 and will give you an idea of what is possible in these events as well as a link to where a recording of those Listening Tours can be viewed.
In planning a Listening Tour, the organizers of the events have also worked to put in place prior to the event, a “Next Steps Committee” -- namely a team of committed individuals willing to lead a group of volunteers in follow up efforts after the conclusion of the Listening Tour. Follow up events to date have included: setting up a speakers bureau of individuals willing to give talks in their communities on democracy, the rule of law, and on election administration basics; organizing additional community gatherings events in communities and universities around the state; setting up a rapid response team of community leaders willing to step up and correct misinformation and disinformation in their communities about the administration of election; and facilitating opportunities for volunteer poll workers. By having the leaders of their Next Steps Committee in place prior to the Listening Tour, organizers are better able to recruit Next Steps volunteers at the Listening Tour and explain the types of volunteer activities that will be involved.