Be Ready, Not Surprised: Preparing to Protect the Election
At an October 27 call hosted by Activist Evenings, we learned about plans for a coordinated, peaceful response if election interference occurs. The message was not that problems are inevitable. In fact, they may never materialize. The message was that being prepared matters. A visible, peaceful response can demonstrate that people are paying attention and are ready to stand up for the democratic process. Past events have also shown that people often decide which side to support in the immediate hours and days after a crisis. Those decisions may be influenced not only by principle, but by which side appears to have greater public support. That’s why quickly demonstrating a large, peaceful response can matter.
Election interference may not be a single dramatic event on Election Day. Organizers are preparing for the possibility of problems that develop over time, including disinformation campaigns, refusals to count or certify votes, or other attempts to interfere with the election process. If a response is needed, Indivisible Mass Coalition (IMC) is helping coordinate a cascade from statewide organizers to designated group leaders and then to local groups. The goal is to mobilize a large, peaceful presence when needed, while allowing people and organizations to rotate their participation if a response continues for multiple days.
Stay Connected this Week
- Register now for the No Kings Post-Election Call on November 4, 8–9 PM EST. If election interference or sabotage occurs, the call will provide real-time updates, election-defense strategy, and next steps. If those updates aren't needed, organizers say the call will likely be canceled.
- Join IMC’s weekly Election Integrity Action Team meeting on November 4, 4:30-5:30 PM. This is another way to get connected with ongoing election-integrity organizing in Massachusetts.
- Sign up for the new Massachusetts Rapid Response Team, a collaboration between Indivisible Mass Coalition and Swing Blue Alliance. This team is for volunteers who can pivot quickly when help is needed, potentially freeing up anywhere from several hours to several days to provide targeted assistance. It’s an especially good fit for people comfortable working on tight timelines, taking the lead when needed, and getting the job done.