We are entering one of the most dangerous moments for American democracy in generations.

As we head toward the midterm elections, a series of federal actions — including the proposed MEGA Act and aggressive enforcement activity in Georgia and elsewhere — signal a coordinated effort to centralize control over elections, intimidate dissent, and roll back reforms that give voters more power.

Here’s what’s happening:

The MEGA Act: sweeping federal control over elections

The proposed MEGA Act would dramatically expand federal authority over state and local elections. Among other things, it would:

Ban Ranked Choice Voting nationwide, overriding the will of voters in cities and states that have adopted it
Restrict how states maintain voter rolls and administer elections
Expand federal enforcement powers in ways that could intimidate voters and election workers
Undermine local control of elections — a principle long upheld by both parties

These are our other threats:

Federal raids on election offices in Georgia

In Georgia, federal agents have conducted raids on local election offices, seizing ballots, voter records, and equipment. These actions are unprecedented in modern U.S. elections and deeply destabilizing. They risk intimidating election administrators and eroding public trust — just months before critical elections.

Journalists arrested. Observers targeted. First Amendment rights under attack.

Across the country, journalists and legal observers have been arrested or threatened while documenting federal activity. Peaceful dissent and election observation are increasingly being framed as criminal or “terroristic.” This is a direct assault on freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and the right to peacefully assemble.

Taken together, these developments are not isolated. They represent a dangerous pattern: centralize power, silence witnesses, intimidate communities, and weaken reforms that give voters a stronger voice.

This is exactly the moment FairVote Minnesota exists for — and why we need to raise $10,000 before the end of the month to continue this work.

Your support allows us to:

Push back against efforts to ban Ranked Choice Voting
Defend local control of elections and voter choice
Educate voters and leaders about what’s at stake — before it’s too late
Strengthen democratic reforms that make our system more resilient to abuse

We cannot wait until Election Day to respond. The rules of our democracy are being rewritten right now. Will you make a contribution today to help us reach our $10,000 goal by month’s end?

We are clear-eyed about the risks — and committed to the work ahead.

Democracy only survives when people stand up for it together. Thank you for being part of that fight.

In solidarity,

Jeanne Massey
Executive Director
FairVote Minnesota