As part of Future Caucus’ mission to bridge partisan divides, overcome toxic polarization, and build a healthy democracy that empowers public servants and serves Americans from all walks of life, we are dedicated to ensuring that you, our members, are well-equipped to navigate the excitement—and divisiveness—of this election season.

The resources below include nonpartisan data and cross-partisan insights that may be helpful to you as a leader navigating the unique dynamics of the 2024 election cycle. We hope they can serve as useful tools for handling your own experiences and those of your constituents in the weeks and months ahead.

Communicating with Constituents

According to a February poll from the Bipartisan Policy Center, approximately 3 in 10 Americans are “less than confident” that their votes will be counted accurately in the 2024 election. As lawmakers, you play an essential role in fostering transparent, fact-based conversations that create conditions where constituents continue to trust America’s democratic process, including elections.

Key Talking Points about Election Safety

• American elections are models for fairness, freedom, and checks and balances.
• Americans are confident that their votes will be counted as intended at the local level, and local elections officials are the most trusted sources for information about elections.
• Teams of people from both parties work together at every step of the voting, counting, and reporting process, from checking voter eligibility, to confirming the accuracy of results from each voting location, to securely transporting ballots and other materials, to serving as independent observers.
• Elections are run with similar security principles and safeguards across the country.
• Election results come from counting every vote and following the law, not media predictions or candidates who claim victory. Results will take time; it’s better to be accurate.

Below are several resources from trusted nonpartisan and cross-partisan sources for you to consider as you develop your approach to discussing America’s democratic processes, institutions, and safeguards, with a focus on election security and integrity.

Resources

Planning and Preparing

Consider hosting an election scenario planning meeting with your Future Caucus chapter, fellow lawmakers, or even your family to develop plans—and backup plans—for responsibly and safely navigating this election.

Scenario planning helps decision-makers identify ranges of potential outcomes and impacts, evaluate responses, and manage for both positive and negative possibilities. Moreover, by visualizing potential risks and opportunities, scenario planning can help you become proactive versus simply reacting to events.

Here is a resource to help you plan: Election Scenario Planning— a document that presents hypothetical scenarios designed to spark ideas and problem-solving, aimed at increasing community resilience during polarized or contentious elections. This resource was developed by the TRUST Network and the Listen First Project.