With the dust settling after what many are calling last Tuesday’s “blue wave,” attention is already turning to the future of American democracy, particularly as the nation heads toward the pivotal 2026 midterm elections. At the heart of this conversation are the efforts to expand voter participation, safeguard election security, and confront the specter of voter suppression. Two figures at the forefront of these efforts—Andrea Hailey, CEO of Vote.org, and Adrian Fontes, Arizona’s Secretary of State—offer a window into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Andrea Hailey leads Vote.org, the country’s largest nonpartisan digital voter engagement organization. Raised in a civic-minded family of lawyers in Indianapolis, Hailey says she “learned early that democracy is fragile — and worth defending with everything you’ve got.” Her organization’s mission is clear: expand the electorate and encourage people to become lifelong voters. The numbers speak for themselves. During the 2020 election cycle, Vote.org helped more than 4.4 million people register to vote and assisted over 3.3 million with mail-in ballot requests, according to Civil Discourse. The momentum continued into 2022, when more than 12 million visitors sought information and assistance on Vote.org, resulting in the registration of over 725,000 new voters.
But as Hailey and her team look to 2026 and beyond, they’re not resting on their laurels. The organization is gearing up for a renewed push against voter suppression, a persistent issue that, as recent history shows, can take many forms—be it restrictive new laws, administrative hurdles, or disinformation campaigns. Reflecting on the strong turnout in the latest elections, Hailey remains optimistic. She notes, “the steadfastness of voters this week suggests that whatever the difficulties are, we will face them together.”
The recent “blue wave” referenced by Hailey—an apparent surge in Democratic victories on November 4, 2025—has only heightened the sense of urgency. For many, the results signal not just a repudiation of certain policies but a renewed commitment to the democratic process itself. As the nation prepares for the 2026 elections, organizations like Vote.org are doubling down on efforts to ensure that every eligible voice is heard, regardless of political affiliation.
Meanwhile, in Arizona, another crucial battleground state, election security and voter confidence are front and center. Adrian Fontes, the state’s Secretary of State, has become a key player in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process. While Arizona’s counties are responsible for directly running elections, Fontes’ office oversees the process and compiles the official results. Speaking on the AZ Political Podcast, Fontes provided a candid assessment of the current landscape, including both progress and persistent vulnerabilities.
Arizona’s next General Election is scheduled for November 4, 2026—exactly one year from the time of Fontes’ interview, as reported by KTAR News. The stakes could hardly be higher. Voters will select the state’s top five government officials, and the outcome may well determine whether President Trump gains or loses support in the House of Representatives, underscoring Arizona’s outsized role in shaping national politics.
But the road to 2026 is not without its obstacles. Earlier in 2025, cybercriminals—likely backed by Iran—hacked the Arizona Secretary of State’s candidate portal, swapping out candidate photos (including Fontes’ own) with an image of the Ayatollah. The incident was a stark reminder of the evolving threats facing election infrastructure. Fontes acknowledged the seriousness of the breach, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance and ongoing improvements to cybersecurity protocols. “We have to be prepared for anything,” he said, underscoring the reality that foreign actors continue to probe for weaknesses in America’s electoral systems.
Beyond the headline-grabbing cyberattacks, Arizona faces challenges closer to home. One area of concern is the accuracy and integrity of the state’s voter rolls. Fontes discussed the complex process of ensuring that only eligible citizens are registered—a legal requirement that, if not properly enforced, could result in thousands of Republicans and Democrats being “in-registered.” The issue of citizenship verification has become a flashpoint in recent years, with both major parties expressing concerns about potential errors or deliberate manipulation. According to KTAR News, Fontes’ office has been working to address these concerns, seeking to balance the imperative of secure elections with the need to avoid disenfranchising legitimate voters.
Fontes also weighed in on the political implications of the recent election results. While careful not to overstate the significance of any single election, he acknowledged that the November 4, 2025, outcomes offer clues about the direction of Arizona—and the nation—as the 2026 midterms approach. For Democrats, the “blue wave” is cause for cautious optimism, suggesting that efforts to mobilize voters and defend democratic norms are resonating. For Republicans, the results may serve as a wake-up call, prompting renewed outreach and a reexamination of campaign strategies.
Underlying these political calculations is a broader, bipartisan concern: the health of American democracy itself. Both Hailey and Fontes stress the importance of robust participation and public trust. Hailey’s advice for those looking to get involved is straightforward: stay informed, support organizations working to expand access, and never take democracy for granted. Fontes, for his part, highlights the role of transparency and accountability in restoring faith in the electoral process. He emphasizes that, while challenges remain, Arizona’s election officials are committed to fairness, security, and accuracy.
Of course, the path forward is anything but simple. The threat of voter suppression looms large, with new legislative proposals and court battles likely in the months ahead. Cybersecurity remains a moving target, as hostile actors adapt and innovate. And the ongoing debate over voter roll maintenance will require both technical expertise and political will to resolve. Yet, as the experiences of Vote.org and Arizona’s Secretary of State’s office demonstrate, progress is possible when citizens, officials, and advocacy groups work together.
For voters and observers alike, the message is clear: the 2026 elections will be a defining moment for the country. The outcome will not only determine the balance of power in key offices but also serve as a referendum on the strength and resilience of American democracy. As Hailey puts it, “democracy is fragile — and worth defending with everything you’ve got.”
With new challenges on the horizon and a renewed sense of purpose, organizations and officials across the nation are gearing up for the next chapter. The stakes are high, but so is the determination to ensure that every vote counts and every voice is heard.
