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This year was unlike any other in modern times. So I am closing it out with my list of the 10 things in 2020 I am most grateful for: things that give me hope & assurance in a better tomorrow, a stronger democracy, & a healthier future.
We’ll begin with #10: The American voter.
We’ll begin with #10: The American voter.
Despite a global pandemic & a massive misinformation campaign aimed at discouraging participation, more citizens turned out to vote - in Michigan & across the USA - in greater numbers than ever before in modern history. Thanks to the American voter, in 2020, democracy prevailed.
#9: Local election officials who worked tirelessly to ensure every vote was counted and every voice was heard. From @TLBsStory @CityClerkSwope @winfrey_janice in Michigan to @CGHollins @Commish_Schmidt across the country, they made democracy work for all. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/16/magazine/trump-election-philadelphia-republican.html
#8: The Secretaries of State who served as guardians of our democracy. I’m particularly grateful for my colleagues @KathyBoockvar @katiehobbs @GaSecofState and @NVSOS who’ve withstood countless attacks for simply doing our jobs: protecting the will of the voters in our states.
#7: As hateful rhetoric & violent threats emerged this year - targeting lawmakers, election officials, & our democracy - I am grateful to the law enforcement officers - particularly @MichStatePolice @FBI and @CISAgov who kept us - and our elections - safe. https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/iranian-cyber-actors-responsible-for-website-threatening-us-election-officials
#6: In a year when we lost two of democracy’s greatest champions - John Lewis & CT Vivian - I’m grateful to those who stepped in to fill the void. Among these were sports leaders who worked in extraordinary ways to ensure access to the vote. @morethanavote https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/12/03/nba-wnba-turnout-georgia-primary/
#6 (cont.) This year sports leaders not only protected democracy; they drove change in our most vulnerable communities. @cbrennansports captures it perfectly: “when the country needed guidance & something to lean on, the sports world became our North Star” https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/christinebrennan/2020/12/25/year-review-sports-world-had-answers-right-and-wrong-2020/3825001001/
#5: Making democracy work this year meant ensuring no voter had to risk their health in order to vote. Throughout the year our health care & first responders worked tirelessly & risked greatly to protect the health and safety of every Michigander. They are the heroes of 2020.
#4: Grateful to the judges & officers of the court who enforced & upheld the law, rejecting lawsuits based on meritless claims of election improprieties. Their work protected the voice of every voter & affirmed the lack of evidence behind the misguided efforts to deny their will.
#3: The journalists, scholars & advocates who used their platforms to counter misinformation with facts. Because of them, efforts to erode the public’s confidence in our elections were debunked with evidence-based confirmations that the 2020 election was safe, secure, & accurate.
#2: The extraordinary team of public servants @MichSoS. Throughout 2020 they rose to every challenge, met every goal, exceed each expectation & developed innovative strategies to better serve every Michigander. I’m exceedingly grateful for their dedication & service to our state.
