The Democracy Defense Project is a left-of-center nonprofit formed in 2024 to counter alleged misinformation and election disinformation. The project is focused on swing states in the 2024 presidential election including Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, New Hampshire, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin. The organization’s leadership and membership comprises of Democratic and Republican elected officials within the targeted swing states.

The organizations website does not provide specific information regarding its activities but does contain a statement about fostering support for and trust in election systems. It has secured op-eds and news pieces in several state and local publications announcing its effort and highlighting politicians affiliated with the organization within each state. Such individuals include several former governors, members of U.S. Congress, and state lawmakers, among others. The former governors on the board of the project include Jan Brewer (R-AZ), Roy Barnes (D-GA), Nathan Deal (R-GA), Brian Sandoval (R-NV), and Ed Rendell (D-PA). ^{1 2 3}

Background

The Democracy Defense Project was announced in June 2024 when it released op-eds to local and state media outlets highlighting the former elected officials involved in launching the effort. Each press release was similar with titles including “Former [STATE] Elected Leaders Launch the Democracy Defense Project as Part of A Multi-State Effort,” leading to a variety of articles in local media using similar headlines. ^{4 5}

In the state of Georgia the group announced its state efforts were being led by former Governor Nathan Deal (R), former Governor Roy Barnes (D), former U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss (R), and former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin (D). Also in Arizona, the group announced its affiliation with former Governor Jan Brewer (R), Congressman Matt Salmon (R), Yuma County Supervisor Jonathan Lines (R) and former state legislator Daniel Hernandez (D). ^{4 5}

Activity

The Democracy Defense Project claims it was formed to promote trust in election results while focusing on states that are competitive for both parties in the 2024 presidential election. In a statement, former Georigia Gov. Nathan Deal (R) claimed, “For far too long, politicians, pundits and activists have worked overtime to sow distrust in Americans’ electoral process…our goal is to restore confidence in the electoral process that makes this country exceptional.” ⁶

In addition, the group released op-eds written by affiliated individuals including former Arizona State Rep. Daniel Hernandez Jr. (D) on condemning threats to election workers ⁷ and former Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) criticizing “stolen election” rhetoric and increased hostility towards local officials, claiming “It’s time for Arizona Republicans to pull back from the brink of election denialism and win over voters with conservative ideals.” ⁸ In response, an op-ed from the Arizona Republic criticized former AZ Gov. Brewer for joining the project while showing support for former President Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. ⁹

1. “Home.” Democracy Defense Project. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://www.democracydefenseproject.org/
2. Amy, Jeff. “Former Georgia officials say they’re teaming up to defend the legitimacy of elections.” Associated Press. June 25, 2024. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://apnews.com/article/georgia-elections-democracy-defense-34b7fbd30e3aee431fa89d4f49ea54b8
3. Mueller, Tabitha. “New groups aim to restore faith in election system, uphold democracy.” The Nevada Independent. June 25, 2024. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/new-groups-aim-to-restore-faith-in-election-system-uphold-democracy
4. “Prominent Arizona Leaders Launch the Democracy Defense Project.” Democracy Defense Project. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://www.democracydefenseproject.org/news/az/prominent-arizona-leaders-launch-the-democracy-defense-project
5. “Bipartisan Group of Georgia Leaders Launch the Democracy Defense Project as Part of a Multi-state Effort.” Democracy Defense Project. Accessed July 12, 2024.  https://www.democracydefenseproject.org/news/ga/bipartisan-group-of-georgia-leaders-launch-the-democracy-defense-project-as-part-of-a-multi-state-effort
6. AP. “Former Georgia officials say they’re teaming up to defend the legitimacy of elections.” Wabe, June 25, 2024. https://www.wabe.org/former-georgia-officials-say-theyre-teaming-up-to-defend-the-legitimacy-of-elections/
7. Hernandez, Daniel. “Local opinion: Condemning threats against election workers.” Tuscon.com July 12, 2024. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://tucson.com/opinion/column/local-opinion-condemning-threats-against-election-workers/article_eef43552-3eec-11ef-ab8d-ef1bc9de0659.html?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_TucsonStar
8. Brewer, Jan. “Jan Brewer: Republicans have a responsibility to restore faith in elections.” Arizona Republic. June 18, 2024. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/2024/06/18/jan-brewer-republican-restore-election-trust/74102762007/
9. Montini, EJ. “Sorry, Gov. Brewer, you can’t defend democracy and vote for Trump” Arizona Republic. June 26, 2024. Accessed July 12, 2024. https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/ej-montini/2024/06/26/jan-brewer-defend-democracy-vote-trump/74218001007/