No matter the year, elections would not be possible without our election workers. And in such a critical year for our democracy, this is especially true.
We know the power lawyers have to strengthen our democracy, secure our elections, and protect the right to vote. One way lawyers can do so is by ensuring that election workers feel safe and protected as they perform critical work. This Election Hero Day is the time to celebrate all of the people who make elections run smoothly — and the lawyers donating their hours to support them by helping election officials facing threats, intimidation, and interference with performance of their job duties.
In a recent survey of local election officials, thirty-eight percent reported fearing for the safety of their colleagues. That’s why, in 2021, We The Action partnered with The Election Official Legal Defense Network (EOLDN), a project of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Center for Election Innovation & Research, to match election officials in need of legal assistance with licensed pro bono attorneys. We The Action and EOLDN have continued this partnership to assemble a network of pro bono attorneys passionate about free and fair elections who can provide advice or assistance to these public servants just trying to do their jobs. This work is nonpartisan, and these services are available to all current and former U.S. election officials, election administrators, and poll workers, regardless of political affiliation.
That’s also how Dean Schmidt, a We The Action volunteer, and Cathy Darling Allen, an election official, first teamed up.
For two decades, Cathy served her community by overseeing elections, as the county clerk and registrar of voters in Shasta County, California. In 2023, the Shasta County Board of Supervisors aggressively sought to eliminate voting machines and impose hand counting of ballots. When Cathy stood up to members of the Board, they retaliated by making disparaging public comments about her and her staff for over a year. The constant stress caused serious health issues, and it was clear that she needed advice. She was an expert in election administration, but it was unclear if she would be able to stay in her chosen field. She needed someone in her corner.
By reaching out to EOLDN to match her with an attorney, she found her own dedicated advocate in We The Action volunteer Dean, a highly experienced California litigation attorney, who listened to her situation and counseled her about what could be done.
As we gear up for Election Day tomorrow, we encourage everyone to take a moment to celebrate the people who strengthen our democracy and make elections possible — and those who support them, in the process. And if you are a lawyer who wants to help support the stalwarts of our democratic process, you can sign up to volunteer at WeTheAction.Org.