WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE
when democracy is under attack, stand up; fight back!
2026 is the 250th anniversary of America: the proclamation of the idea that a country should be run by its people, not kings. Elections—free, fair, and secure—are the process by which we make democracy happen. You have the right to vote, and in the two and a half centuries since the Declaration of Independence was signed, millions of people have fought and died to preserve and expand that right.
Democracy is a project that never ends and a responsibility we have to each other. But democracy is inconvenient for billionaires and huge corporations, who hate the idea that every person gets one vote. They’ve hunted for ways to use their immense wealth to buy elections and attack our ability to fight back at the ballot box. This assault on our rights has become more and more extreme, and the result is a government that works for a small group of the ultra-rich and leaves the rest of us behind.
Introducing WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE, Francesca Hong’s voting rights, election defense, and campaign finance reform policy package.
Elections are one of core tools by which we make better possible. Without free, fair, and secure elections, Wisconsin doesn’t work. If a small group of powerful people are going to attack democracy, we need to counterattack with everything we’ve got. This is WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE.
we are ready to fight for fair elections
Fight back against Citizens United
The Citizens United court case lets billionaires and huge corporations spend essentially unlimited money on candidates who benefit them. Montana and Hawaii are pioneering a model of corporate regulation that removes their permissions to spend on campaigns and candidates—the most exciting state campaign finance reform in years. Fran will get Wisconsin to follow their leads.
design a future of Fair Maps
After over a decade of a deeply gerrymandered Wisconsin—arguably the worst maps in the country—Governor Evers secured fairer maps in 2024. But there’s no guarantee that future maps will be fair. Fran supports the call for a publicly accessible independent redistricting commission to design maps that accurately reflect Wisconsin communities.
Keep ICE Away From The Polls
Allies of the Trump Administration have called to surround polling places with ICE agents to intimidate or harass voters. We will not tolerate this impingement on voting rights. As governor, Fran will sign a law like one passed in Connecticut that makes it a state felony for federal agents to be within 250 feet of a polling place.
you have the right to vote
vote early and easily
Wisconsin law allows early or in-person absentee voting for two weeks before an election, but hours and availability are inconsistent across the state. Fran will push to extend voting to 30 days before an election, with early processing and standardized accessibility requirements — a plan proven in other states to increase voter participation.
get a voter id quickly, easily, and for free
Wisconsin’s constitution requires photo ID at the polls, so Fran believes in making sure everyone who can vote has access to one. This means expanding eligibility criteria to include out-of-state driver’s licenses with proof of Wisconsin residence — the same requirements as a library card — and ID cards for tribal nations that cross state lines. Fran will invest in a statewide free voter ID program for any eligible voter, especially students and young adults.
register to vote automatically
The information required to register to vote is the same as what the Department of Motor Vehicles collects. Fran will streamline this operation by giving people who register for a driver’s license or state ID automatic voter registration.
vote by mail whenever you need
Wisconsinites are allowed to vote by mail, but must remember to request a ballot early in advance. Fran thinks we can increase ballot access by creating an opt-out permanent vote-by-mail status.
democracy beyond dark money
Shine a light on dark money
When billionaires and corporations want to swing an election through massive spending, they hide their influence through PACs, complicated paper trails, and messages crafted to keep you from knowing who’s trying to buy your vote. Fran demands campaign finance transparency: a broader definition of “political activity” that requires all ad campaigns and advocacy groups to identify the people directing them and disclose the original sources of the funds that prop them up.
fund elections publicly
Our election system means politicians are often more interested in appeasing their donors than doing their jobs. Cities and states across the country have addressed this challenge through public funding of elections: because elected officials should report to their voters and the Constitution, not whoever has the biggest wallet. Fran will bring together a commission of campaign finance experts to build a model of what public election financing could look like in Wisconsin.
election workers are our front line
Protect the Wisconsin elections commission
The Wisconsin Elections Commission, clerks, and poll workers are the people who make democracy possible in this state. But Republicans have cut them to shoestring budgets — some workers don’t even have government email addresses. Fran will follow the lead of the people who know elections best by fully funding the WEC and letting it do its job: building regional support hubs, promoting intermunicipal assistance, standardizing hiring and training systems, and building contingency plans and stress tests for voting disruptions and legal escalations.
guarantee legal support for elections
Election workers should be confident in their ability to access legal support on demand. Fran will support the WEC and attorney general in creating a 24/7 election legal support hotline during the entire election period, staffing an election protection unit with pre-drafted responses to legal issues, and establishing clear legal immunity for election workers for following WEC escalations and guidance.
Secure ballots and polling places
Wisconsin election officials and local law enforcement know how to secure polling locations — they just need funding, direction, and time. Fran will help the WEC coordinate security and accessibility checks of every polling location in Wisconsin, including guidance around where and how ballots are stored.
process votes transparently
Mass disinformation campaigns have undermined public confidence in our election process. Fran will work with election officials to create public observation areas at ballot counting operations, clearly defined operational metrics and reporting, and free, universally accessible election observer training programs.
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Join team Hong
Get email updates from Fran and the campaign team.
By submitting this form, you consent to receive donation asks, voter contact, and informational emails from Francesca Hong. Email frequency varies. You may unsubscribe at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in any email. Privacy Policy & Terms.