EPISODE NOTES

In the United States, it’s no longer a given that our elections are free and fair.  To the great relief of many; in terms of freedom and fairness, the 2026 midterms were successful. But there’s a lot that can happen between now and the seating of new representatives on January 3. And our guest this episode says it’s up to us to stay vigilant. 

Hardy Merriman is an expert on civil resistance movements, democracy, and authoritarianism. Hardy has been involved in studying, supporting, and training leaders in nonviolent protest movements around the world for most of his adult life. He was President of the International Center for Nonviolent Conflict (ICNC) from 2015 to 2025. He’s also worked at USAID and the Atlantic Council, and authored numerous publications. 

We’re bringing Hardy back to the podcast this week to talk about how ordinary Americans can play a key role in protecting this and future elections. He’s part of an effort called Hold the Line, which gives people the tools to counter election interference, hold election officials accountable, and support the process. 

Learn more about Hold the Line, download the guide or take the course.

Listen to our 2023 episode with Hardy, "Covering civil resistance amidst rising authoritarianism."