The Importance of Secretary of State Elections in Safeguarding Democracy

Free and fair elections are the backbone of our democracy. They allow citizens to express their will. This is why elections matter so much.

John Lewis, the late congressman from Georgia and civil rights icon, once called voting “the most powerful non-violent tool we have in a democratic society.” Similarly, former President Reagan described the right to vote as “the crown jewel of American liberties.” Unfortunately, President Donald Trump refuses to accept his 2020 loss. His false claims of illegal ballots and rigged systems have deeply damaged trust in our elections and those who run them.

Trump’s actions go further. He attempts to disenfranchise millions of voters, aiming to prevent Democrats from holding office. Both Lewis and Reagan would likely disapprove of these tactics.

This November, voters in 26 states will elect secretaries of state. These officials play a crucial role in overseeing the 2028 presidential race. The position of secretary of state, once seen as dull, gained new significance following the 2000 election. Katherine Harris, Florida’s then-secretary of state, influenced the outcome by awarding its 25 electoral votes to George W. Bush.

Trump’s fixation on his 2020 loss politicized this office further. His false fraud claims led to the rise of groups like the America First SOS Coalition. This group backed candidates who ran in 14 states, including key presidential battlegrounds such as Arizona, Georgia, and Michigan. Most of these candidates lost. Notably, Tina Peters, a candidate in Colorado, was later imprisoned for a security breach aimed at proving votes were stolen from Trump, despite winning in her county by 30 points.

Although the SOS Coalition no longer exists, election deniers still vie for secretary of state positions. According to the States United Democracy Center, six such candidates have moved beyond the primaries. Arizona, Nevada, and Wisconsin are states to watch, as they may be pivotal in the next presidential election.

Peverill Squire, an election expert from the University of Missouri, emphasizes the importance of who administers election rules. The person in this role can influence the ease of voting and may either instill confidence or skepticism about election fairness.

Nevada’s election sees Republican Jim Marchant, proponent of Trump’s 2020 false claims, running for secretary of state again after losing in 2022. He has suggested unconventional ideas, like using technology to measure voters’ heartbeats for identity verification.

In Arizona, Democrat Adrian Fontes faces Alexander Kolodin, a Republican state representative and attorney with a history of promoting baseless election fraud claims. Kolodin’s previous Trump-related lawsuit was dismissed for lack of evidence.

Wisconsin’s election system, managed by a bipartisan commission, is under threat by Republican candidate Jay Schroeder. He seeks to dismantle it, labeling it a “failed experiment.” Schroeder claimed he would not have certified Biden’s 2020 victory if he had been in charge.

Significant attention and resources are currently focused on Congressional and gubernatorial races. However, races for secretary of state deserve equal attention. The integrity of future elections depends on honest individuals managing them.