The United States of America was founded as a constitutional republic. We’ve all heard the story, when asked what kind of government our Founding Fathers had created, Benjamin Franklin reportedly replied, “a Republic, if you can keep it”. Many of us have also heard John Adams quote that “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other”. Unfortunately, many people do not understand what a constitutional republic is or the responsibility it places on its citizens to engage the electoral process.
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other”
– John Adams
What is a constitutional republic?
The Legal Dictionary defines a constitutional republic as “a form of government in which a representative is elected by the people to govern over them, according to the rules established in the law of the land. An example of a constitutional republic is the United States’ form of government. U.S. citizens elect a President, and other representatives, who then govern them as the Constitution directs them to”.
What responsibilities to we have to engage the political process?
Each of us holds a responsibility for the health and integrity of our electoral process. As citizens we are charged to nominate and vote for candidates that will uphold the United States Constitution and facilitate the integrity of the electoral process. We do this by serving as poll workers, election observers at local elections offices, and election watchers at polling places. Because our elected and appointed government officials work for their citizens, citizens must engage in the electoral process to hold them accountable.
How can you uphold election integrity in Humboldt County?
There are many ways you can engage the electoral process to uphold election integrity and hold elected and appointed government officials accountable. If you are interested in volunteering, contact election Integrity Co-Chair Susan Moxon at [email protected].
