Protecting elected officials from intimidation is vital to achieving the “3Ds”

“Conventional wisdom may call such intimidating conditions the price of holding elected office. But its fallout harms everyone who relies on a free, fair, and functional democratic process. By deterring officeholders from seeking reelection or running for higher office, taking on important policy positions, or interacting with their constituents, unchecked extremist intimidation distorts government’s ability to represent the people it serves.” – Brennan Center for Justice After a drive-by shooting, orchestrated by a political adversary, sent three bullets through her 10-year-old daughter’s bedroom, New Mexico State Senator Linda Lopez mused, “Is it worth me putting my family at risk because I vote a certain way, I espouse certain ideals?” Related Stories A healthy democracy depends not only upon unfettered access to the voting booth for all eligible citizens, but also upon the unfettered ability of those elected to exercise the will of the people. An alarming report released this week by the Brennan Center for Justice found that threats, harassment and physical violence against elected officials have spiked in recent years, threatening the free and fair functioning of representative democracy. The vast majority of state legislators, 89%, reported experiencing some form of abuse in the last three years, with 40%...