American Bar Association names CEIR an ‘Unsung Hero of Democracy’

The American Bar Association (ABA) has named the Center for Election Innovation & Research (CEIR) a recipient of the 2024 Unsung Heroes of Democracy Award. This honor recognizes outstanding efforts by individuals and organizations to uphold and promote the rule of law by advancing our democratic system of government.

The ABA created the Unsung Heroes of Democracy Award to honor lawyers, election workers, everyday citizens and non-profit organizations that stand up for democracy and the rule of law.

ABA President Mary Smith described several features that brought CEIR’s work to the attention of the award task force. “CEIR is renowned for its nonpartisan work with election officials of both parties,” she said, “conducting research, coordinating pro bono legal defense for election officials under threat of harassment, and advocating for best practices that have tangibly improved the security, transparency, and efficiency of our elections.”

“It’s been an honor to serve on the ABA Task Force for American Democracy, under the bipartisan leadership of Secretary Jeh Johnson and Judge J. Michael Luttig,” said CEIR Executive Director David Becker. “My fellow staff and I are humbled by this recognition from the ABA.”

Becker accepted the award for CEIR during the Democracy Summit luncheon at the ABA Annual Meeting in Chicago on Friday, August 2, at noon Central Time.