Elections and the Role of Secretaries of State

Free and fair elections are crucial to the function of our representative democracy. Elections allow citizens to express their will, ensuring that the government reflects their interests. Notable figures have emphasized the importance of voting. John Lewis, a celebrated civil rights activist and former Georgia congressman, described voting as the most potent non-violent tool for change. Former President Ronald Reagan called the right to vote the crown jewel of American freedoms.

However, the integrity of elections has been called into question. Former President Donald Trump, after losing the 2020 election, spread false claims about illegal ballots and rigged election procedures. His actions undermined trust in the electoral system and the people who manage it.

In November, voters in 26 states will elect secretaries of state. These officials will oversee the next presidential election in 2028. The role of the secretary of state gained political significance after Katherine Harris’s involvement in the 2000 Florida recount, which helped decide the presidency for George W. Bush.

Trump’s persistent claims of fraud have politicized the position further. In 2022, the America First SOS Coalition backed numerous candidates in states like Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin. Most were defeated. Notably, Tina Peters from Colorado, who attempted to prove voter fraud in favor of Trump, lost her race and was later imprisoned for a related security breach.

Despite the coalition’s dissolution, over 24 election deniers ran for secretary of state this year according to the States United Democracy Center. Six advanced to the November election. Arizona, Nevada, and Wisconsin are among the pivotal states in this regard.

In Nevada, Republican Jim Marchant continues to challenge electoral integrity despite his previous defeat. In Arizona, Adrian Fontes faces Alexander Kolodin, known for pursuing unfounded election fraud claims. Wisconsin’s race includes Republican Jay Schroeder, who aims to dismantle the state’s bipartisan election commission.

Amid the focus on congressional and gubernatorial races, the down-ballot contests for secretary of state also demand attention. The people overseeing elections must be trustworthy to maintain electoral integrity.