Secretary Adrian Fontes on the Resilience of American Democracy
By Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes
On the fifth anniversary of the January 6 insurrection, we asked NewDEAL Leader Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes to share his thoughts on the state of our democracy. It is fitting that as we near America’s 250th anniversary, Secretary Fontes reminds us of the resiliency of our democracy — that free and fair elections have been consistently and successfully administered even during America’s darkest hours, and that the continued health of our democracy requires all of us to exercise our right - and civic duty - to participate in the process. – NewDEAL CEO Debbie Cox Bultan
Five years following the January 6th insurrection at our nation’s capital, it is critical that we—as citizens and election officials alike—remain steadfast in our commitment to upholding democracy for generations to come. The threats to our democratic institutions are ever-present, but their strength remains in our dedication to ensuring their longevity, a value that leaders before us understood all too well.
In the early months of 1864, the Civil War raged on, tearing at the fabric of our nation and persisting far longer than anyone had imagined. The Union’s military campaigns offered little hope for a swift resolution. Casualties mounted, cities burned, and the very survival of our young nation hung in the balance.
Yet amid this national tragedy, one principle endured: the resiliency of our democratic process.
That November, Americans went to the polls. Abraham Lincoln, who had doubted his own chances for reelection just months earlier, won decisively, securing 212 of 233 electoral votes. His victory was bolstered by the ballots of Union soldiers, many of whom voted by mail from the battlefield or returned home on furlough to cast their vote. As war raged and blood was spilled on American soil, the nation held fast to the belief that leadership must be chosen by its people.
This was not a mere act of fleeting symbolism. It was a profound statement about who we are and who we must be. At a time when the country could have easily postponed or abandoned the election, our leaders chose instead to reaffirm democracy as the great equalizer. They understood that the strength of our republic lies not in avoiding hardship and discomfort, but in confronting it with unwavering commitment to a government for the people, by the people.
America has never cancelled an election—not during the Civil War, not during two World Wars, not during the Great Depression, nor in the aftermath of 9/11. Each time, the ballot box has prevailed over fear and uncertainty. That resilience is not accidental; it is the product of generations that believed that the right to vote is the cornerstone of our freedom.
As we approach another election year, this history must remain our north star. Today’s challenges—polarization, misinformation from the top down, foreign interference—are real and daunting. But they pale in comparison to the existential crisis of 1864, when the nation itself was at risk of dissolution. If democracy could survive that, it can survive now—provided we do our part.
Confidence in our electoral system is not naïve; it is necessary. Election officials across the country are working tirelessly to secure voting infrastructure, expand access, and ensure transparency. These efforts deserve not only our trust but our active participation. Cynicism is easy. Engagement is harder—but it is the only way forward.
Our democracy is resilient, but resilience is not automatic. It depends on citizens who believe their voice matters and act accordingly. That means registering, voting, and defending the integrity of the process against those who seek to undermine it.
In 1864, amid cannon smoke and sorrow, Americans chose ballots over bullets. They proved that even in the darkest hour, democracy can endure—if we let it. As we head into this election year, let us honor that legacy. Let us remain unshakeable in our civic duty. Because the greatest threat to democracy is not conflict or crisis—it is complacency.