Lock the Vote

The Play

Democracy can't win if the vote isn't protected. Whenever possible, authoritarians tilt the electoral field through voter suppression, disinformation, gerrymandering, captured electoral bodies, or by bending campaign rules—abusing state resources or dominating media coverage.

Yet these attacks can also become a rallying cry. When the vote is under threat, defending it becomes a moral imperative rooted in shared democratic values. This play reframes electoral defense from a technical task into a unifying national mission—an inclusive effort to safeguard the fairness and integrity of elections.

That means mobilizing watchdogs, legal teams, and citizen monitors before, during, and after the vote—combining online targeting with offline presence, engaging community leaders, and deploying values-based messengers who can reach disengaged voters.

The approach depends on context: where institutions still function, defense can happen within them—through citizen oversight and legal channels. But where the state is captured, parallel vote tabulation and real-time reporting may be needed to keep the truth visible.

Why it works

• Creates visible pressure. Public awareness of a large, organized monitoring effort raises the cost of fraud by making manipulation harder to hide.
• Builds parallel legitimacy. Independent verification through citizen networks can produce credible evidence to counter authoritarian narratives of invincibility.
• Bridges diverse actors. It unites civil society, political parties, media, and citizens around a single goal—protecting the vote—while respecting their distinct roles.
• Turns defense into mobilization. Reframing election monitoring as a patriotic mission transforms a technical exercise into an emotional call to action that inspires participation.
• Strengthens civic infrastructure. The networks and trust built for election defense can endure beyond election day, becoming assets for future democratic struggles.

How it works

1. Build the Pillars of the Defense Network

Set up watchdog teams, legal experts, and citizen trainers well in advance. Train them on rules, reporting tools, and rapid-response protocols so they can detect and address irregularities before, during, and after the vote. Where institutions still function, create protocols that include citizen oversight within them—through commissions, courts, or electoral boards—so that electoral defense operates both inside and outside the system.

2. Publicly launch and promote the monitoring effort

Announce the initiative early to make it visible, credible, and participatory. Use social media, press releases, and community forums to show that citizens are ready to defend the vote. Public endorsements from respected figures can build momentum and turn monitoring into a matter of civic pride. Engage community leaders, local groups, and values-based influencers who can reach voters beyond traditional political channels.

3. Recruit and Train Observers at Scale

Launch a recruitment drive across all channels—media, civil society, and party networks—to sign up volunteers. Then deliver simple, accessible training that covers observation protocols, communication channels, and reporting tools. Keep procedures user-friendly so citizens of all backgrounds can contribute confidently on Election Day. Also make sure the training includes how to spot not only ballot fraud but also violations of campaign rules such as intimidation, obstruction at polling stations, or restricted access for monitors.

4. Train on Parallel Vote Tabulation (if necessary)

If the risk of fraud is high—especially where state institutions are captured and official results can't be trusted—deploy a parallel vote count strategy that is fast, simple, and credible. Avoid complex apps that create barriers; instead, base the protocol on tools people already use, like WhatsApp, Telegram, or Google Forms. Test the system in advance to ensure it operates in real time alongside the official count. Also set up a representative sample of strategic polling stations, with clear procedures for identifying and reporting anomalies immediately, so suspicious trends can be flagged early and credibly.

5. Deploy, Support, and Communicate on Election Day

Ensure observers are strategically positioned, well-equipped, and in constant contact with coordination teams. Provide logistics and supplies to keep them active throughout the day. Publicly share positive stories and verified updates from the field to reinforce trust in the monitoring process and deter manipulation.

6. Be Prepared for Post-Election Manipulation

Even if monitoring runs smoothly, manipulation can occur during certification. Have a plan ready: pre-drafted statements, rapid-response kits, and aligned messaging with allies. Build relationships with national and international journalists, academics, and diplomats to strengthen credibility. Prepare for worst-case scenarios. In relatively open systems, the fight may focus on ensuring fair certification; in captured states, it may mean exposing fraud and mobilizing international pressure.

Tips

A. Community Building and Engagement

Organize outreach events, workshops, and forums to empower observers, assigning roles based on skills and preferences. Ensure they master election-day procedures for documenting incidents and filing formal complaints. Make sessions engaging, with room for informal interaction to build a sense of belonging. A strong community not only improves observer performance but also turns them into messengers for participation.

B. Leverage Existing Technology

Set up a central hub where observers can report incidents, get guidance, and receive updates in real time. Use familiar apps for reporting—text, photos, videos—and keep protocols simple. In high-risk contexts, prepare for blackouts with offline tools such as checklists, power banks, and USBs, and set up backup systems like SMS relays or hotlines. The key is managing data effectively, not creating complex new platforms.

C. Internationalize the Fight

When electoral theft is imminent or underway, be ready to go beyond domestic action. Use verified monitoring data and parallel counts to brief foreign governments, regional bodies, and global watchdogs. Reach out to diplomats, diaspora networks, and international media in advance, so that if fraud occurs, your evidence and narrative are ready to move. International legitimacy amplifies domestic pressure and raises the cost for authoritarians trying to cling to stolen power.

Who's done it well?

Venezuela: Comanditos

Grassroots Defenders of the Vote

In Venezuela's 2024 elections, the opposition built 60,000 comanditos—small neighborhood cells of around ten people—to monitor polling stations and protect results. Recruited through community meetings and WhatsApp, they trained to spot and report irregularities. On election day, they photographed official records and sent them to a central team for a parallel vote count. Covering 86% of the vote, they exposed major discrepancies, proving citizen networks can defend the truth.

"When we published those results online, it wasn't just a challenge to the government —it was a moment of truth for all of us. For the first time, we weren't just speaking about fraud, we were proving it, showing the world and Venezuelans the real numbers."

Belarus: Golos

Voice of Truth

During Belarus's 2020 election, IT specialists launched Golos, a platform on Telegram and Viber that let voters anonymously submit photos of their marked ballots. Each ballot was authenticated through the legally required commission signatures, with AI verifying about 70% and volunteers from Honest People and Zubr checking the rest. Over 550,000 submissions—nearly 10% of all votes—created a geographically broad dataset, resilient even during government internet shutdowns thanks to offline photo storage. At many polling stations, Golos data showed Tsikhanouskaya receiving many more votes than officials reported — evidence that the official results simply could not be true. With contributions from all across the country, Golos offered a nationally credible picture: opposition candidate Tsikhanouskaya won at least 56% against Lukashenko's 28–34%, directly contradicting the regime's claim of 80%. The evidence, shared with media, civil society, and international watchdogs, became a powerful tool to expose fraud and fuel mass protests.

"Our top priority when building Golos was protecting voters' anonymity. In a country where speaking out could be dangerous, we had to ensure people felt safe. Anonymity was everything; it was the only way to ensure people could participate."

US: Protect the Results Coalition

Defending the 2020 Election

In 2020, fearing attempts to overturn the presidential election, over 165 U.S. organizations formed Protect the Results—a coast-to-coast network of civic groups, lawyers, and election officials. They coordinated legal defense, trained rapid-response volunteers, and prepared nationwide protests to pressure officials to certify results. When Trump moved to challenge the outcome, the coalition mobilized instantly, framing the defense of the vote as a defense of democracy itself.

"For years, Trump and his allies have sought to undermine faith in our elections and erode our democratic institutions, but election officials from both parties, independent courts, and the Electoral College have withstood these assaults time and time again."

Learn more

D-Hub Resources

• "Election Monitoring." Volume 3, GOTV.
• "Young Voters Mobilization." Volume 3, GOTV.
• "Challenge them in Court." Volume 7, Institutions and Civic Space.
• "Protect Judicial Independence." Volume 7, Institutions and Civic Space.
• "Discredit the Regime Internationally." Volume 9, International Support

Other Resources

• D-Hub. 2025. "A Surprise Comeback!" The Fight for Democracy Chronicles, Volume 4.
• D-Hub. 2024. "Democracy on the Edge." The Fight For Democracy Chronicles, Volume 5.
• D-Hub. 2024. "A New Era." The Fight For Democracy Chronicles, Volume 6.