Democracy Doesn’t Run Itself

For most of us, Election Day is simple.

We show up.

We check in.

We cast our ballot.

We head home.

That’s exactly how it should be.

Most people never think about the thousands of election officials, county employees, city clerks, volunteers, cybersecurity experts, and poll workers who spend months preparing for that one day.

When elections are run well, democracy feels effortless.

But democracy doesn’t run itself.

It depends on dedicated public servants who work long before the polls open and long after they’re closed. Their job isn’t to pick winners or losers. It’s to make sure every eligible voter can cast a ballot, every lawful vote is counted, and every election is conducted fairly and securely.

This year, those public servants have increasingly found themselves under attack. Not from foreign adversaries or cybercriminals, but from Washington itself.

That should concern every American, regardless of political party.

Why This Matters to Doug

Before Doug Chapin decided to run for Congress, he spent nearly forty years helping Americans vote.

He didn’t spend his career running political campaigns.

He didn’t spend it chasing cable news headlines.

He spent it strengthening the systems that make American democracy work.

Doug founded electionline.org, which remains the nation’s leading nonpartisan source for election policy news and information. He led election reform efforts at The Pew Charitable Trusts, helping modernize voter registration systems, expand voting access for military members and Americans living overseas, and build partnerships with technology companies to connect voters with accurate election information.

At the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Doug founded the nation’s first online certificate program in Election Administration, helping prepare the next generation of election professionals.

He’s practiced election law.

He’s served as elections counsel in the United States Senate.

He’s advised policymakers across the country.

And for nearly four decades, he’s worked alongside the local election officials who make democracy possible.

That’s why this moment matters to him.

He’s not speaking about election administration from the outside.

He’s spent nearly forty years helping shape it.

Washington Has Changed the Conversation

Over the past several weeks, the House has once again turned its attention to the SAVE America Act, legislation that would require documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.

Supporters say it’s necessary to protect election integrity. Critics argue it could make voter registration more difficult for eligible Americans who don’t have immediate access to documents like passports or birth certificates.

Reasonable people can disagree about public policy.

But something else has happened that’s much harder to ignore.

Instead of supporting the people responsible for administering our elections, Washington has increasingly made them the target.

Federal officials have pressured states for voter registration information.

States have faced threats tied to election funding.

Election administrators who’ve spent years partnering with the federal government to strengthen election security are now spending more time defending their own authority than preparing to serve voters.

That’s a remarkable shift.

After Russia attempted to interfere in the 2016 election, election infrastructure was designated as critical infrastructure. Federal, state, and local officials worked together to improve cybersecurity, share intelligence, and strengthen election systems against foreign threats.

Those partnerships made our elections stronger.

Today, many election officials say they’re spending just as much time responding to political pressure as they are preparing to serve voters.

That isn’t progress.

Minnesota Has Seen It Firsthand

We’ve seen these tensions play out right here at home.

Earlier this year, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon declined requests to turn over Minnesota’s statewide voter registration records, citing state privacy protections and constitutional concerns.

Rather than respecting Minnesota’s authority to administer its own elections, Tom Emmer and several of his colleagues supported legislation that would’ve withheld future federal election funding from states that refused to comply.

The effort failed.

Minnesota’s voter records stayed in Minnesota.

But the episode raises an important question.

Should Washington threaten states that refuse to surrender sensitive voter information?

That’s not how partnerships work.

That’s not how trust is built.

And it certainly isn’t how we strengthen confidence in our elections.

Election Officials Deserve Better

Here’s something that rarely makes the headlines.

Federal races often make up a significant portion of every ballot Americans cast. Yet the federal government contributes very little to the ongoing cost of administering those elections.

State and local governments carry almost all of that responsibility.

They recruit poll workers.

They maintain voting equipment.

They secure election systems.

They train staff.

They process absentee ballots.

They answer voters’ questions.

They prepare for emergencies.

They defend against cyberattacks.

Their work never stops.

Congress shouldn’t be making that job harder.

It should be making it easier.

Election security isn’t a partisan issue.

Neither is giving local election officials the resources they need to serve voters fairly, securely, and efficiently.

The Difference Experience Makes

Campaigns often ask voters to trust promises.

Doug’s asking voters to look at experience.

When he says election officials deserve support instead of political attacks, he’s speaking from nearly four decades of working beside them.

When he says our election systems should be secure and accessible, he’s helped build those systems.

When he says Congress should strengthen democracy instead of undermining confidence in it, he’s spent his career doing exactly that.

That’s a perspective few candidates for Congress can honestly claim.

And it’s exactly the kind of experience Washington needs more of.

Showing Up Matters

The answer isn’t cynicism.

It isn’t giving up.

And it isn’t assuming someone else will protect our democracy.

The answer is participation.

Every conversation at a parade.

Every volunteer shift.

Every door knocked.

Every voter registered.

Every ballot cast.

That’s how democracy has always worked.

Washington can spend its time arguing over election laws.

We’ll spend our time talking with neighbors, building community, and making sure every eligible voter knows their voice matters.

Because democracy doesn’t belong to politicians.

It belongs to the people who show up.

That’s why Doug is running for Congress.

Not to make it harder for eligible Americans to vote.

Not to turn election officials into political targets.

Not to score political points.

But to strengthen the institutions that make our democracy work.

This November, let’s do what Minnesotans have always done.

Show up.

Vote.

And prove that our democracy is strongest when every eligible voice is heard.

A Leader in Congress Recognizes a Leader in Elections

Momentum continues to build across Minnesota.

This week, Doug was honored to receive the endorsement of Betty McCollum, one of Minnesota’s longest-serving and most respected members of Congress.

Representative McCollum has spent more than 25 years fighting for Minnesota families, defending our democratic institutions, and delivering results for her constituents. Her endorsement reflects something we’ve talked about throughout this week’s newsletter: experience matters.

In announcing her endorsement, Representative McCollum said:

“Doug Chapin has dedicated his career to strengthening American democracy and protecting the right of every eligible voter to participate in our elections. His expertise, integrity, and commitment to public service are exactly what we need in Congress.”

Doug shared his appreciation, saying:

“For more than 25 years, Betty McCollum has been one of Minnesota’s strongest voices in Congress. As an experienced member of our congressional delegation, she knows what it means to fight for working families and deliver results. I’m honored to have her endorsement.”

This campaign has always been about bringing experienced, thoughtful leadership to Washington. Endorsements like this remind us that leaders who’ve dedicated their careers to public service recognize what’s at stake in Minnesota’s Sixth District.

Together, we’re building a campaign that’s ready for better.

Independence Day, the Minnesota Way

There’s something special about celebrating the Fourth of July in Minnesota.

Neighbors line Main Street with lawn chairs hours before the parade begins. Kids scramble for candy. Veterans carry our nation’s colors with pride. Local businesses, civic organizations, marching bands, and community groups all come together to celebrate the places we’re proud to call home.

That’s exactly where Team Chapin wanted to be.

Over two days, Doug and more than 150 volunteers from across Minnesota’s Sixth District and beyond marched in the St. Joseph, Delano, and Chanhassen Fourth of July parades.

Together, we handed out more than 6,000 freeze pops, nearly 50 pounds of candy, countless bubbles, smiles, and high-fives, while walking more than 7.5 miles through two incredible communities.

To everyone who carried a flag, drove one of the Rescue Rigs, handed out candy or freeze pops, chased Doug around with a campaign sign, worked the bubble guns, or simply waved to neighbors along the route…

Thank you!

This campaign is powered by people who believe our communities deserve to be seen, heard, and represented.

The weekend also offered an interesting contrast.

While Doug spent Independence Day weekend meeting neighbors across the Sixth District, reports indicated Congressman Tom Emmer did not make any public appearances at Fourth of July parades or community celebrations in the district, choosing instead to mark the holiday online.

Doug summed up our campaign’s approach in one simple sentence:

“We’re gonna keep showing up.”

That’s more than a campaign slogan.

It’s a commitment.

Representation doesn’t begin on Election Day, and it doesn’t end after the votes are counted.

It starts by being present.

Listening.

Showing up in the communities you hope to represent.

That’s the Minnesota way.

And it’s the kind of leadership Doug will bring to Congress.

It Takes a Crew to Drive the Rig

Parades are one of the most fun and impactful ways we connect with thousands of voters in a single day. Every smile, wave, and conversation helps introduce someone new to Doug and our campaign.

Whether you’re joining us for your first parade or you’ve marched with us all summer, we’re excited to have you on the team!

Before You Head Out

A little preparation goes a long way:

Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Dress for the weather and don’t forget sunscreen, sunglasses, or a hat.
Bring a refillable water bottle.
Wear your Doug Chapin campaign shirt if you have one. Need one? We’ve got shirts in all sizes!
Charge your phone and check for any last-minute updates before you leave. Parade lineups can occasionally change.

Most importantly, bring your enthusiasm and your biggest smile! You may be someone’s very first impression of our campaign.

Want to Take on a Bigger Role?

Every successful parade is powered by volunteers, and we’re always looking for a few extra leaders to help our team shine.

We’re currently looking for:

🥁Parade Captains to help welcome volunteers and keep everyone organized.
👀 Site Spotters to confirm our lineup location before parade day.
🪧Doug Sign Carriers to help Doug stand out as he greets voters.
🇺🇸Flag Carriers to lead our team with pride.
📸 Photographers & Videographers to capture the excitement and help tell our story.

If one of those roles sounds like fun, let us know. We’d love to have your help!

Help Tell Our Story

If you’re snapping photos or taking video, focus on the moments that make this campaign special:

Doug greeting neighbors and shaking hands
Families, veterans, and community members
Volunteers having fun together
The Rescue Rig rolling through town
Flags, signs, smiles, and crowd reactions
Those fun, unexpected moments that make every parade unique

If you can upload your photos and videos within a few hours after the parade, even better! It helps our social media team share the excitement while it’s still fresh.

Thank You

The Rescue Rig doesn’t roll because of one person.

It rolls because of you.

Whether you’re carrying a flag, handing out freeze pops, taking photos, driving the rig, or simply waving to your neighbors, you’re helping build a campaign powered by people.

That’s how we’ll flip the Sixth.

One conversation. One parade. One community at a time.

See full event details and sign up here:

https://www.mobilize.us/chapinforcongress/

Every conversation matters. Every event matters. Every volunteer helps us build the campaign this district deserves. Let’s keep showing up!

Ready for Better

Democracy doesn’t begin on Election Day.

It begins with neighbors talking to neighbors. Volunteers knocking on doors. Communities coming together. And leaders who believe public service is about listening first.

That’s the campaign we’re building.

Every parade route we’ve walked. Every conversation at a front door. Every volunteer who’s joined Team Chapin is helping build something bigger than a campaign. We’re building a movement grounded in service, integrity, and the belief that government should work for the people it represents.

If this week’s newsletter reminded you why your voice matters, we’d love to have you join us.

Whether you can spare an afternoon to knock doors, march in a parade, make a phone call, or simply share Doug’s message with a friend, you’re helping strengthen our democracy one conversation at a time.

Together, we’re proving that campaigns don’t have to be fueled by division. They can be powered by neighbors, communities, and people who still believe that showing up makes a difference.

The road to flipping the Sixth District is built one conversation, one volunteer, and one voter at a time.

Let’s keep showing up.

Let’s keep building.

117 Days until Election Day!

#Flipthe6th #LFG #ReadyforBetter

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