The Big Truth About American Elections

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Unity Forum, Chris Malone speaks with David Becker, Executive Director and Founder of the Center for Election Innovation & Research and co-author of The Big Truth, about election integrity, voting rights, disinformation, and public confidence as the 2026 midterm elections approach. Becker explains why U.S. elections are resilient, decentralized, and heavily audited; how misinformation is designed to make voters doubt the system; why election officials have faced escalating threats; and what citizens can do to support secure, accessible elections. The conversation also addresses voting machines, paper ballots, noncitizen voting claims, mail voting, early voting, court challenges, federal enforcement fears at polling places, and the importance of approaching every election as a civic celebration rather than a source of despair.

About the Guest

David Becker is the Executive Director and Founder of the Center for Election Innovation & Research, a nonpartisan nonprofit that works with election officials across the country to improve election administration and strengthen public confidence in elections. He is also the co-author, with Major Garrett, of The Big Truth: Upholding Democracy in the Age of “The Big Lie,” which examines election denial, disinformation, and the resilience of American democracy. Earlier in his career, Becker served as a senior trial attorney in the Voting Section of the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, where he enforced federal voting rights laws.

Chapter Markers

01:25 David Nevins introduces David Becker

03:22 Becker explains CEIR’s mission and his election-law background

05:38 Threats, harassment, and legal pressure facing election officials

08:28 What voters should watch heading into the 2026 midterms

08:45 Paper ballots, audits, and noncitizen voting claims

10:44 Disinformation as the biggest election risk

12:45 Why volunteering as a poll worker builds confidence in the system

14:00 Courts, evidence, and the stabilizing role of election litigation 1

5:55 Executive orders, the Elections Clause, and limits on presidential authority

16:11 DOJ lawsuits seeking state voter data

19:20 Vote-by-mail and early voting: history, security, and legal challenges

22:45 Early in-person voting and why Becker personally favors it

22:25 AI, deepfakes, and election-related misinformation

27:30 How voters can find trustworthy election information

28:30 Election grift and false claims across the political spectrum

30:50 Whether federal enforcement officers or troops could appear at polling places

35:00 Questions about seating the House after the 2026 election

38:50 Becker’s closing message of hope, joy, and civic participation

41:20 Program closing

Closing Message from the Guest

In his closing remarks, David Becker acknowledges that many citizens feel anxious about attacks on election officials, threats against democratic systems, and the constant flow of false claims about elections. But he urges listeners not to respond with despair. Instead, he frames every election as a celebration of America’s 250-year democratic experiment and encourages citizens to answer fear with participation: vote, recruit others to vote, meet people across political differences, volunteer as poll workers, and treat civic engagement as an act of joy and confidence in the American people.