We’re our Only Hope for Heroes: How Citizens can Protect Democracy and the Rule of Law

Photo credit: National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution — American Democracy: Explore Online

Over the past few weeks, I've been helping my friend Ed FitzGerald with his campaign to flip a seat in Congress from Red to Blue. A key element of our strategy is to hold town halls in every community in the district. I have been amazed at the turnout at these events, especially this far away from the 2026 midterm elections. At each event, Ed asks the audience whether they believe that our democracy is in real danger. At each event, every hand in the room goes up. Inevitably, someone asks about what citizens can do to help protect our democracy and the rule of law. Of course, we encourage them to get involved with Ed’s campaign, but it got me thinking about how citizens can step up in other ways at this critical moment in history. 

We must be clear-eyed about where salvation will NOT come from. We cannot wait for salvation from the institutions of government. No nonprofit organization, advocacy group, foundation, or NGO is going to save American democracy on its own. While many of these groups are well-intentioned, many are more interested in fundraising than actually doing the work necessary to protect our democracy. 

As we have seen around the world, democracies do not collapse because organizations fail. They collapse when ordinary people withdraw, disengage, or wait for someone else to act. In the end, the responsibility for protecting the rule of law and sustaining democratic institutions rests not with professional advocates, but with voters, neighbors, volunteers, and citizens willing to show up. If democracy is to endure, it will be because we chose to defend it ourselves.

Fortunately, there are some civil society organizations that provide avenues for citizen participation. Indivisible is a nationwide network of grassroots groups that organize citizens to protect democratic institutions, advocate for progressive policies, and engage strategically in elections and local advocacy. Labor unions cultivate civic participation and collective agency that help counter authoritarian pressures and strengthen democratic norms. Finally, drawing on my experience at the American Bar Association, I’ve seen firsthand how legal professionals work to defend democratic institutions and the rule of law.

Defending democracy requires more than casting a ballot. It involves informed participation, civic education, grassroots organizing, and strategic support for candidates committed to democratic norms. Democracy and the rule of law cannot be assumed, they must be actively defended. In the current political environment, protecting democratic norms is no longer a background condition of political competition but a central issue, and the 2026 midterms represent a test of whether those norms remain non-negotiable principles.

Civic literacy is the foundation of effective participation. Understanding how government works, why the rule of law matters, and how elections are administered empowers citizens to act responsibly and critically. Engaging in civic education strengthens public understanding of democratic processes. Resources such as the American Bar Association’s discussion guide provide tools for learning about election law and defending democratic norms. By facilitating or participating in civic discussions, citizens can share knowledge and inspire others to engage actively in the democratic process.

Elections rely on citizens to maintain transparency and fairness. Volunteering as a poll worker or serving as a certified election observer helps ensure that voting operations are secure, efficient, and trustworthy. Citizens can also participate in voter registration efforts and voter protection initiatives, helping eligible voters navigate absentee ballots, early voting, and polling-day procedures. Indivisible offers a robust toolkit for participating in voter protection and ensuring that communities have equitable access to the ballot. These activities protect the vote and strengthen public confidence in the legitimacy of electoral outcomes.

Grassroots organizing amplifies citizen impact and builds community power. Joining or starting a local Indivisible chapter allows individuals to coordinate volunteer efforts, host town halls, and mobilize residents around civic education and election preparedness. By connecting with neighbors and other community members, citizens can create networks that multiply their influence and ensure that local voices are heard in national and state-level policymaking. 

Supporting candidates who defend democratic institutions is another vital form of civic engagement. We must support candidates who actively uphold electoral integrity, maintain independent checks and balances, and demonstrate a commitment to the rule of law. This does not mean blind party loyalty, because I think that we’re all sick of the Democratic Party’s efforts to turn this authoritarian slide into yet another fundraising email. Instead, we must support leaders whose policies reinforce democratic norms, even when those policies conflict with moneyed interests. 

Long-term democratic resilience also requires systemic reforms that expand voting access, improve transparency, and strengthen civic education. Advocating for policies such as automatic voter registration, early voting, and increased ethics oversight helps ensure that the democratic process is inclusive, transparent, and fair. Indivisible and other civic organizations provide guidance on how to engage effectively in advocacy campaigns to promote these reforms. Similarly, supporting civic education programs in schools and communities reinforces understanding of democratic principles and prepares future generations for informed engagement.

Ultimately, voting remains the most direct tool of democratic participation, but engagement extends beyond casting a ballot. Citizens should register themselves and encourage others to do the same, participate in get-out-the-vote campaigns, and help ensure that all eligible voters understand the registration and polling process. Indivisible provides tools and guidance for organizing these efforts at the local level. By combining voting with ongoing civic engagement, citizens help maintain the integrity of democracy and the rule of law.

The 2026 midterm elections present a critical opportunity for citizens to defend democratic norms and the institutions that sustain them. Through civic education, grassroots organizing, volunteer service, strategic support for candidates committed to democratic principles, and active participation in elections, every citizen can make a meaningful difference. It’s up to us, as citizens, to protect the rule of law, strengthen institutions, and ensure that democracy continues to serve the people because, at this moment, we are our only hope for heroes.