Most Americans have moved on from politics now that the 2022 midterm election is behind us. They voted in record numbers, defied the self-proclaimed political experts and rejected extremism in many places. It raised the hope of a revival of good citizenship.
Possibly, Thanksgiving dinner was a little less stressful than in recent years. It may be too soon to talk politics with certain friends and family members, but at least the political litmus test seems to be a fading requirement. Agreeing to disagree is a fair truce.
Of course, we all know someone who will die believing the 2020 presidential election was stolen, even with absolutely no proof. They have a feeling that it was stolen, and that’s what they trust. It’s probably best to let them be.
In most places, the voters chose moderation over radicalism, civil discourse over hate speech, compassion over meanness. If it’s true that we get the government we deserve, it feels good to know that we do not deserve the kind of government the haters promised.
While the average voter can enjoy a well-earned break from the day-to-day intensity of election politics, high-stakes politicking has shifted to public chambers, courthouses and legislative arenas. There is still plenty for good citizens to keep an eye on.
In Cochise County, Ariz., a small cabal of unshakable skeptics persuaded a majority of the Election Board to not certify that county’s election results. It was a head-scratcher, because Cochise County is heavily Republican, and disenfranchisement of those voters would have scuttled a couple of Republican victories. They finally caved under a court order.
Across the country, including in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties here, a number of pre-prepared petitions, like mass-produced form letters, have been filed as challenges to the certification of the vote. These will be decided by the courts. They will not be decided by armed insurrectionists.
Last week, we were reminded how close we came on Jan. 6 to having our votes disregarded. Two leaders of the Oath Keepers, a violent anti-government organization, were convicted of seditious conspiracy by a jury of their peers, with a possible sentence of up to 20 years. Along with three others, they were also convicted of obstruction of an official proceeding.
For any doubters out there, there really was an organized plot to disregard our votes and derail the republic. Anti-government and white supremacist and antisemitic organizations continue to spread their hate. The Department of Justice will continue to hold them accountable.
Attorney General Merrick Garland said the work of Justice Department attorneys “makes clear the department will work tirelessly to hold account those responsible for crimes related to attacks on our democracy on Jan. 6, 2021.”
This week, our constitutional right to have our votes count will be in jeopardy when the U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in Moore v. Harper. The court is being asked to recognize the independent state legislature theory and eliminate judicial review of legislative redistricting. This could give state legislators — not the voters — the final say in our elections.
The line held in the last election. Before we know it, there will be another election in the spring to choose those all-important local officials. And good citizens know there is always more work to be done.
