With Super Tuesday just a few days away, 2020 is already off to a rocky start. We’ve seen an impeachment acquittal, a botched Iowa caucus, inappropriate White House interference in Justice Department sentencing recommendations, charges of election rigging, and new federal policies that threaten the rights and dignity of immigrants.
The months ahead will only get more intense and more dangerous for our republic.
For those of us in philanthropy and the nonprofit world, we must continue to ask ourselves what our role is in this moment. How does a commitment to a healthy democracy and democratic norms dictate our short- and long-term program strategies, investments, and use of our influence and moral authority over the course of the year?
So far, 2020 has reinforced the need to cultivate a robust ecosystem of organizations working to support free and fair elections, hold government accountable, combat misinformation on social media, and stand up for the rights and dignity of everyone. Many nonprofit organizations are stepping up to this challenge. They have been instrumental in combating voter suppression, correcting misinformation, and help the public better understand the voting process. And while their work didn’t begin in 2020 and won’t be done after the election is over, we must appreciate the unusual need to support their work in this historic year.
Over the next eight months, the American people will face a critical choice that will set the course for the United States and the tone of our democracy. To help guide all of us through this watershed year and unprecedented challenges, here are a few areas where philanthropy can continue to make a difference.
Maintain the integrity of elections systems.
The Iowa Democratic Caucus was a debacle that political leaders and elections officials will be grappling with for years to come. While many factors contributed to the problems in Iowa, the events brought into sharp relief the importance of a properly functioning electoral system and the crucial role of well-trained, well-resourced, and effective election administration. Nevada did not experience the same breakdown that we saw in Iowa, but confusion over the process and barriers to participation raise real questions about why any state should continue to use a caucus system.
New technologies and the threat of interference add pressure to longstanding election administration challenges. Philanthropy can play a role in helping to ensure things go more smoothly. Several organizations are focused on impriving election administration by training the officials involved. . Center for Tech and Civic Life created ElectionTools.org, a centralized hub with free, practical resources to support effective election administration. Center for Civic Design works with states — including Michigan and Pennsylvania —to design ballots that are easier to use. . Ultimately, these groups and a host of others are harnessing the power of technology to modernize and improve the voting experience.
Support responsible election reporting.
While failures in election administration create legitimate concerns about the health of our elections, the media’s treatment of the situation can be equally problematic. Left quite literally speechless as the Iowa results were delayed, television news anchors and talking heads complained and engaged in rampant speculation. Their behavior fed conspiracy theories and contributed to public anxiety about the process. How newsrooms cover elections — especially when things don’t go as expected — has an impact on people’s trust in our election system, their faith in the process, and their sense of their own agency.
Broadcast news anchors and headline writers must be trained to responsibly cover elections. Innovative nonprofit partnerships are busily doing this work to prepare for primary and general elections. Organizations such as First Draft News, ProPublica, the American Press Institute, and the Poynter Institute are training reporters how to better cover the elections, prepare for high-intensity breaking news stories, and respond in real time to false information and other elections challenges. Similarly, the Citizens Agenda (led by Hearken, Trusting News, Membership Puzzle Project, and NYU’s Jay Rosen) are encouraging journalists to give the public the information they actually need — rather than clickbait and horse-race coverage.
Combat misinformation.
In the era of viral misinformation, conspiracy theories regarding the Iowa caucuses and the primary race overall are quick to spread. Their influence is only aided by actors who benefit from voter confusion and distrust. The online misinformation tactics we saw in 2016 are continuing to evolve and spread in ways that can have a major impact on voters.
We must do more to strengthen our digital village square to combat these threats. Bold leadership is required from the companies that run social-media networks. Meanwhile, end users must continue to put pressure on the platforms to take seriously their role in preserving a healthy democracy with demands of transparency and accountability. Organizations, like Change the Terms, are building and expanding the coalitions of organizers, lawyers, and scholars needed to track these information campaigns and push back on platform inaction. Our colleagues at the Omidyar Network are working to set clear rules and boundaries for powerful platforms to follow. They are also supporting efforts to ensure a meaningful voice for people in how technology and society interact.
For those committed to strengthening America’s democratic system, a laundry list of urgent tasks await. The 2020 election will be the crucible that shapes our democracy’s future. Our country’s philanthropic institutions must be ready to act boldly, collaborate with partners new and old, and at times, step outside our comfort zone in defense of our democracy. It has been gratifying to see so many philanthropic leaders already leading this charge through a renewed commitment to strengthening democracy.
As we charge into this election season together, I am confident we will continue to build a more just, inclusive, and healthy democracy for tomorrow. But now is the time to get off the sidelines, get in the game, and leave it all on the field.
