On the seventh night of Chanukah, Knit Democracy Together was the focus in my local synagogue’s Shine a Light series. This program highlights a different social action project each night. There were oohs and aahs for the three state capitols we’ve constructed (The New York capitol is shown above). As there should be!

It was great to look back and realize that KDT has held nine maker circles since April 2020. There have been more than 130 participants in the circles.

More than 40 makers contributed to the Vermont-based sculpture. And that’s not even counting the people who are still working on pieces for the lawn and grounds.

At the Shine a Light event, someone asked what I see as threats to our democratic system in the next two years. My response was I am worried NOW. I’m worried about state officials rejecting the actual results of the voting process.

The takeover of the mechanics of elections by proponents of the Big Lie is happening right now. (The Big Lie is the falsehood that Joseph Biden lost the presidential election.)

First, Secretaries of State who oversee elections are being stripped of power. That’s what happened in Arizona and Georgia. In addition, proponents of the Big Lie are challenging them in upcoming elections. Races for this state position are usually under the radar, so it is really dangerous if people don’t realize what is at stake.

Second, Republican-controlled state legislatures are passing laws that give them the authority to reject vote tallies and substitute their own set of electors in the next presidential election. Georgia and Wisconsin are making moves in that direction. A recent New York Times morning newsletter summarizes what’s happening.

Third, on the local level, conscientious long-serving election workers are being harassed and stepping down from their positions. This leaves openings for Big Lie proponents to be appointed or run uncontested for these positions. The Washington Post reports how this is playing out in Michigan and Pennsylvania.

What scares me the most is that these efforts are coordinated. It is the implementation of the idea that former Trump Secretary of Energy Rick Perry espoused in a text he sent to Trump’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows just days after the November election, before all the votes were counted. He wrote:

• Here’s an aggressive strategy: Why can t [sic] the states of GA NC PENN and other R controlled state houses declare this is BS (where conflicts and election not called that night) and just send their own electors to vote and have it go to the SCOTUS.

What he said was: ignore the actual votes in Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Instead, have the Republican-controlled legislature choose the presidential electors they want. If there’s a challenge, the Trump-appointed Supreme Court of the U.S. can resolve it. CNN explains here.

The most basic principle is that votes will be counted. If that doesn’t happen, then there is no democracy.

So, as we celebrate holidays surrounding the winter solstice, let’s shine a light where we can. Talk about democracy. Speak up against legislative tampering with the process of counting votes. Support honest, conscientious secretaries of state. Most of all, keep paying attention.