How YOU Can Make a Difference in 2022

Written By Carrie Pendolino
One phrase we hear almost every election year is that this election will be one of the “most important ever.” To be sure, they all end up being important, as they set the table for whatever comes thereafter. Looking back at 2020, the voter turnout that shattered previous records demonstrated how important that election was to the country, for voters of all stripes.

But one party’s efforts to undermine Americans’ faith in the outcome casts a long shadow over the upcoming midterm election. Meanwhile, as more states continue to consider allowing or even encouraging partisan influence over elections, Congress must move decisively to ensure both voter access to polls and an impartial counting of votes and acceptance of the results.

With all due respect to the many items on Washington’s policy agenda, nothing matters more than the fair conduct of elections and Americans’ faith in electoral outcomes. Literally everything else flows from the strength of our democracy. And so, we believe Congress must use every legislative and parliamentary tool to enact the Freedom to Vote Act, before it turns to its remaining policy agenda.

Innovators for Democracy is so named because we believe policies that promote innovation stem first from a robust democracy with stable institutions, which reflects the will of the electorate. That will was expressed with passage of the American Rescue Plan in March 2021, and continued with the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, signed by President Biden in November.

With the midterm election looming only nine short months from now, you will see the White House more forcefully deliver the message of why these efforts are good for the economy and families, and why it needs more allies to be elected to Congress. However, fresh polling from CNBC/Change Research demonstrates that many Americans are grappling with the everyday concerns of the pandemic and rising prices, and even many of the President’s supporters may not be grasping some of the good economic news, like falling unemployment and a healthy stock market.

That is why it is so important for Innovators for Democracy to be active right now. As a reminder, IFD exists to

  • engage with political leaders,
  • educate one another on what accelerates innovation, and finally to
  • elect leaders who will follow through on those policies.

But above all, we as innovators have a story to tell that builds the case for strong democratic institutions and policies that promote a more equitable and prosperous economy. In short, we believe that IFD and its members have an even greater responsibility to build a case for both innovation and democracy as another election approaches.

And so, in coming months, IFD will seek to re-energize our members to deliver as they did in 2020. IFD will connect and engage its members through our Slack network, as well as through public social media including Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook. We will also endeavor to make our web site a valuable stop for members to catch up on current thinking about innovation and democracy. And we invite you to contribute your thoughts; this blog space is available for those with innovative ideas to share.

Innovators for Democracy is unique (but not alone) in the business community, in its ability to communicate the importance of a wide range of policies to building an innovation-friendly society. That stands in contrast to those business groups who continue to oppose the Build Back Better legislation, and are remaining silent at best on voting rights legislation. For instance, the head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently said her group would “be happy” to see Build Back Better “disappear into the midterms,” while corporate PACs have given more than $16 million to the 147 lawmakers who voted against certifying President Biden’s election.

IFD supports candidates who don’t simply wish for challenges like climate change to “disappear,” but are willing to try to solve them. And we won’t endorse any candidate who backs interfering with the electoral process. The real innovators and champions of democracy in Congress need our help.

Your help.

During 2022, IFD’s engagement efforts will bring our members together each month (at least virtually) with top innovation policy leaders in Congress. This will be your chance to make your voice heard with them directly. We will endorse, support, and contribute to forward-thinking Members and candidates, those who are willing to solve problems like climate change, food security, and broadband access through innovation. And finally, we will pay tribute to the best among them with a soon-to-be-announced award program, which will recognize their policy leadership.

We know from historical experience that innovation thrives in societies where robust pluralistic democratic principles rule, and where economic policy offers opportunity to all. That is what Innovators for Democracy stands for and what — with your help — we will seek to foster in 2022.

Carrie Pendolino
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