Is Democracy on the ballot in 2024?

Throughout this election year, we’ve heard a common refrain from the left that “democracy is on the ballot.” Beside the obvious flaw (we are a republic, not a democracy), I’ve struggled to follow the breadcrumbs of that narrative, until this week.

It appears that the “democracy is at risk” message was projection, as the Democrat elite bided their time until after the primaries to replace President Biden in the November race. More than 3,900 delegates were in the Biden column and just 37 were uncommitted. Millions of American voters have been sidelined in their own primary, and their candidate will be chosen for them.

Now, as we approach the 2024 elections, whether democracy itself is on the ballot is not merely rhetorical; it’s a pressing concern that should weigh heavily on the minds of all American voters. The Democratic Party is experiencing upheaval, without question. Now is a time for soul-searching and the opportunity to enlarge their tent and hear new ideas.

Republicans went through a similar reckoning in 2016 and are still going through it to a degree. The difference is that when Republican primary voters went off-script in 2016 with Donald Trump, it rattled the status quo and party elite, but it happened because Republican primary voters wanted it. Democratic primary voters were not given an option. Now, their party leaders are selling them on a “choice” they never had in the first place. They deserve an explanation. Who saw this coming? Why was it hidden from primary voters and all Americans?

The integrity of our electoral process is paramount, and it starts long before the first ballot is cast. Conservatives have repeatedly called for commonsense measures to ensure that every vote is legitimate and that the sanctity of our elections is preserved. This includes voter ID laws, maintaining accurate voter rolls, and implementing robust measures to prevent fraud. Critics argue that these measures are restrictive, but they are essential to maintaining public confidence in our democratic process.

The recent developments within the Democratic Party further underscore the importance of this election. National Democratic Party leaders waited until after the primary and Biden’s disastrous first debate and subsequent polls to decide he wasn’t a viable candidate. This move, seen by many as undemocratic, highlights a troubling trend of elite decision-making overriding the will of the people. Such actions raise serious concerns about the future and the integrity of our electoral system.

The ramifications of this year highlight the growing influence of unelected bureaucrats, consultants, and party leaders that should alarm every American committed to limited government and individual liberty. The 2024 election will determine the future of the federal judiciary, including the composition of the Supreme Court, and issues ranging from the Second Amendment to free speech and religious liberty.

Beyond the gamesmanship that seems to be defining the 2024 election, policy, regardless of party, should be at the center of 2024 discussions. Core principles of our nation are on the table.

Economic freedom: The push for massive government spending, increased taxation, and burdensome regulations threatens the entrepreneurial spirit that drives American innovation and prosperity. A thriving economy is built on free markets, personal responsibility, and limited government intervention. We should demand policies that promote economic growth rather than those that stifle it.

Federalism: It allows states to serve as laboratories of good government, and that concept is under assault. Do we want a one-size-fits-all approach dictated by the federal government or a system that respects states’ rights to govern themselves according to their citizens’ wishes?

Free Speech: The suppression of dissenting voices, even within the same party, pose a direct threat to the free exchange of ideas, which is the lifeblood of America. This election is a crucial moment to push back against the creeping culture that seeks to limit what we can say, and for whom we can cast a vote.

The 2024 election is not just about choosing a president; it’s about choosing the direction of our country for generations to come.

Donna King is editor-in-chief of The Carolina Journal