Why Voters are Sick of Politics and Want Real Results

Hannah Fried has spent years advocating for accessible and secure voting systems. She is now urging Americans who are sick of politics to focus on the health of democracy and the effort to back a system that delivers real results. Fried is considered an esteemed voting rights expert and also serves as the executive director of the nonpartisan organization All Voting is Local. She shares her insights and emphasizes the resilience of voters with Maggie Daun, host of The Maggie Daun Show.

“From Wisconsin to Pennsylvania to Georgia, we saw voters not just casting their ballots but actively demanding that officials make voting accessible,” Fried says. “And there are local successes to highlight like the fight to maintain ballot drop boxes in Wisconsin. It’s evidence of communities standing up for their rights.”

And despite these victories, Fried points out a troubling gap between what voters want—safe, accessible elections—and the restrictive policies that still persist in many states. She notes that 83% of Americans, regardless of party affiliation, agree that voting should be accessible. Yet barriers remain, and Fried says it’s often fueled by misinformation and partisan maneuvering.

Daun asks questions about the health of democracy, linking election processes to policies on issues like reproductive rights, economic equity, and campaign finance reform. 

“Our democracy falters when laws don’t reflect the consensus of the majority,” Fried says, urging leaders to listen to the demands of voters.

She remains optimistic despite ongoing conspiracy theories and recount challenges.

“Voters are drawing a line. They’re saying, ‘Stop taking this away from us.’ We’ve seen this resilience in states like Wisconsin, Ohio, and Georgia, where communities are standing together to protect their votes,” Fried explains.

Wisconsin stood out in the 2024 election, with 100,000 more voters participating than in the previous presidential cycle. Fried calls the state’s same-day registration and early voting as examples of democratic values in action. But, she cautions that the fight for voter access continues in many other states across the country.

Fried hopes to see momentum continue for upcoming elections in 2025 and beyond.

“Our election systems have robust checks and balances,” she explains. “We need to trust the process, demand fairness, and work to ensure every vote is counted.”

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WATCH the entire episode here. Voting segment starts at 1:05:00:

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