Democracy Only Works if Elections are Free and Fair

Authoritarian leaders don’t always cancel elections, they rig them quietly. Here’s how:

• Gerrymandering – drawing districts so politicians choose voters instead of voters choosing them.
• Changing ID Laws – narrowing what IDs “count” to shut out students, seniors, and low-income voters.
• Voter Intimidation – armed groups, surveillance, or police presence at polling sites.
• Closing Polling Places – especially in densely populated or opposition-leaning areas, forcing hours-long lines.
• Disinformation – lies about voting dates, rules, or locations.
• Purging Voter Rolls – removing eligible voters under the guise of “cleaning” records.
• Restricting Mail & Early Voting – cutting options that many rely on to cast a ballot.
• Controlling Election Officials – replacing neutral administrators with loyalists.
• Ballot Access Manipulation – making it harder for challengers to qualify or compete.
• Certification Pressure – delaying or refusing to certify results that don’t favor those in power.

Each tactic chips away at your voice until elections are only free in name, not in practice. Free and fair elections aren’t just a process, they’re the foundation of democracy.