Will our electoral weaknesses be shored up or exploited?

ACLU prioritizing prodemocracy efforts

The Globe deserves credit for its “Under siege: Democracy’s front lines in crisis” series, highlighting the threats and challenges election workers face. Without these dedicated public servants, our electoral infrastructure — indeed, the very principle of free and fair elections — would crumble.

That’s why the American Civil Liberties Union is prioritizing prodemocracy efforts to shore up weaknesses in our electoral system, including programs to bolster election administration at the local level and ensure that nonpartisanship informs every level of election administration. This year, Massachusetts passed one of the boldest electoral reforms in the Commonwealth’s history, expanding access to the ballot and maximizing electoral integrity.

In Georgia and other battleground states, the ACLU has launched campaigns to recruit and train a new generation of poll workers. The result: Approximately 16 percent of Georgia voters in 2020 elections had an ACLU-trained poll worker or deputy registrar at their polling place, and we will double or triple that during the 2022 and 2024 cycles.

The ACLU also is investing in nonpartisan voter education initiatives, including “Know Your Sheriff ” and “What a Difference a DA Makes,” so that Massachusetts voters have the information they need to make informed decisions.

These efforts, and initiatives such as the Globe series, are mission-critical for democracy.

KIRSTEN MAYER

President, ACLU of Massachusetts Board of Directors

KEVIN PRUSSIA

Chair, ACLU Foundation of Massachusetts Boston