Every year, we set aside a day called “Democracy Day.” The idea is simple: to remind ourselves of the incredible gift and responsibility we share as Americans; the right to self-government. But here’s the truth: Democracy can’t be something we honor only one day a year. It is something we have to live, protect, and strengthen every day through our participation, our vigilance, and our willingness to stand up for each other.
As someone who spent most of my adult life as a public school history teacher, I always taught my students that democracy is not inevitable. It is not guaranteed. Democracies throughout history have failed when citizens stopped believing in them, stopped participating, when they stopped trusting each other, or when leaders abused power to erode trust. I made it clear that the story of America is not just about wars and presidents, it is about ordinary citizens who believed their voice mattered enough to take part in building a more perfect union.
When I left the classroom and continued my public service with Bucks County, that lesson became even more real. As Chair of the Bucks County Board of Elections, I saw firsthand how fragile yet resilient our democratic system can be. My colleagues and I were entrusted with ensuring free, fair, and accessible elections in one of the most closely watched counties in the entire nation. Twice — in 2020 and in 2024 — the eyes of the country were on Bucks County, Pennsylvania. And twice, our election workers, our volunteers, and our voters showed what real democracy looks like: neighbors helping neighbors, votes counted fairly, and results certified with integrity…