Former Michigan governors and officials from diverse political backgrounds have united as part of the Democracy Defense Project, aimed at countering misinformation and attacks on voting and ballot-counting processes in swing states leading up to the upcoming presidential election. The initiative includes former officials from states like Georgia, where former President Donald Trump attempted to overturn election results in 2020. The project seeks to promote trust in elections through various means such as radio and TV advertisements, media outreach, and local involvement.
Former Michigan Governor James Blanchard emphasized the importance of defending the integrity and accuracy of the voting system against baseless claims, expressing the group’s commitment to upholding the electoral process. Alongside Blanchard, former Republican Governor John Engler, former Democratic Lt. Gov. John Cherry, and former Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop are involved in the Michigan chapter of the project.
The efforts to bolster confidence in election integrity in battleground states come after sustained attacks on the electoral systems by Trump and his supporters following the 2020 election. Michigan faced challenges, with Trump pressuring officials, false electors acting, and allegations of voter fraud. As the 2022 elections approach, preparations are being made to address potential challenges amid unfounded claims from Trump about potential cheating by Democrats.
A recent survey revealed differing levels of trust in election results among Americans, with Republicans more inclined to believe Trump’s assertions regarding the legitimacy of the 2020 election. Despite numerous legal defeats and confirmations of Biden’s victory through reviews and audits, Trump continues to contest the election outcome. Former Michigan Governor Engler described Trump’s denial of the election results as “painful” and stressed that the issue has been resolved.
The Democracy Defense Project is active in eight states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, with a focus on safeguarding the electoral process and countering false narratives ahead of the upcoming elections.
