Defending democracy doesn’t start or stop with an election

With eight weeks to go until Election Day 2024, we find ourselves once again in an unprecedented political moment. The assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and the emergence of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee have both turbocharged an already momentous election and contributed to our collective sense of political instability. While the headlines focus on the candidates during the home stretch of their campaigns, our attention must be simultaneously rooted in something more fundamental—the health of the underlying democratic institutions that make free and fair elections possible.

As we head into the final stages of the presidential election season—the most intense inflection point in the cycle of American electoral democracy—we need to re-commit to a core lesson of American Jewish history: Jews must dedicate time and energy to ensure the survival of the American democracy that makes thriving Jewish life in this country possible. Despite its flaws, our democracy has allowed our community to thrive in the United States in ways that were unimaginable in other eras and in many other parts of the world. The freedoms we enjoy—to practice our religion, to assemble, to speak out for what we believe in—are all protected under our democratic system.

We’re already seeing signs of potential election controversy, disputes that would have been inconceivable only a half generation ago. In Georgia, recent changes to the State Elections Board could lay the groundwork for confusion and delay if the results are contested. At the same time, widespread disinformation is undermining trust in the very process that allows our voices to be heard. These are not just theoretical threats; they are real and present dangers to the democratic system that has safeguarded our rights and our community’s future.

But here’s the thing: Jewish history teaches us that we are not powerless in the face of potential threats. We have always found ways to adapt, to organize, to protect what is most precious to us. And now, in this moment of uncertainty, we have the opportunity—indeed, the responsibility—to do so again.

The key is preparation. There’s an old saying that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” wisdom that’s especially relevant today. It is essential for civil society organizations, including those in the Jewish community, to take a clear and proactive stance in defending democratic values like the rule of law, nonviolence, free speech and free expression, and supporting free, fair, safe, and accessible elections. Not only is it critical to make these commitments in the abstract, but it is also important to step up to defend them when they’re under threat.

One way to ensure we’re ready to do that is by engaging in scenario planning, imagining speculative but possible futures and gaming out how your community might respond. Just like every school runs regular fire drills, your organization should run “democracy threat drills” to practice how you might navigate challenges that may arise this election season and beyond. It’s not about predicting the future accurately, it’s about practicing decision-making under duress before the stakes are high. As Eisenhower said when asked why the plan for D-Day was such a success, “It wasn’t the plan. It was the planning.” It’s about ensuring that, no matter what happens on Election Day or in the days that follow, we are ready to stand up for the principles that have allowed our community to flourish.

As Jewish leaders, we are well-positioned to make a difference. We have inspiring leaders, robust networks, and the tools to inform, inspire, and mobilize our communities to stand against efforts to undermine American democracy. This is where the Jewish Partnership for Democracy comes in. On September 17th, we will be hosting Equip 2024: A Community Preparedness Summit in partnership with a wide range of democracy experts. This gathering is designed to equip Jewish leaders to support their communities from the lead-up to Election Day through the Inauguration. Participants will work through scenarios about potential threats to a free, fair, safe, and accessible election, and receive tools to support their communities to proactively and reactively address and mitigate those threats. I urge you to join us.

In the coming weeks, we will all be focused on the campaigns and working hard to ensure our preferred candidates win. That’s entirely appropriate and a healthy feature of a representative democracy. But we also need to ensure that our democracy holds together over the long term. The Jewish community has a long history of resilience, of finding strength in the face of adversity. Now is a time to draw on that strength, to act with intention and courage to ensure that the 2024 election is free, fair, safe, and accessible. Now is a time to act together to ensure we can protect the democratic principles that have allowed our community to thrive and mobilize with the confidence that our actions today will safeguard our democracy for generations to come.