I was eager to attend the rally in Columbus, Ohio, where Senator Sherrod Brown and his Republican opponent, Bernie Moreno, looked to mobilize voters on the first day of early voting for the 2024 U.S. Senate election. With both candidates holding rallies only a couple of hours apart on October 8th, 2024, it highlighted the intensity of the race and the stakes involved, especially for Ohio, with this state swinging between red and blue in recent elections. There’s a lot to reflect on looking at these events and the bigger issues of weakening democracy and voter behavior. 

Senator Sherrod Brown, a three-term Democratic incumbent, is known for his progressive stances on labor rights, healthcare, and social justice. Despite being a Democrat in a state that has trended Republican in recent elections, Brown has maintained broad support due to his populist appeal and emphasis on working-class issues. At his rally, he emphasized the importance of making voting accessible and standing up for democracy when it feels threatened. I couldn’t help but see the signs of democratic erosion here, how candidates like Brown are framing voting rights as a critical part of their campaign in response to national debates over voter suppression, disinformation, and electoral integrity.

On the other side, Bernie Moreno, a businessman and Republican candidate, has aligned himself closely with Donald Trump and other prominent figures of the GOP. His rally emphasized economic freedom, securing the border, and restoring “American greatness.” Moreno’s platform resonates with a significant portion of Ohio voters, particularly in rural areas and those who feel disconnected from the political elite. Yet, as I listened to his supporters, I couldn’t help but think about how populism, both left and right, has transformed political discourse in the U.S. and beyond. We often discuss how populism can stimulate democracy by addressing genuine grievances or contribute to its decline by eroding trust in democratic institutions.

One of the key takeaways from these rallies is how each candidate responded to concerns about the state of democracy in America. Brown and Moreno addressed issues central to the ongoing debate about democratic backsliding. For Brown, expanding access to the ballot box and protecting voting rights was a core part of his message. It speaks to a larger issue: across the country, we’ve seen efforts to restrict voting, whether through voter ID laws, purging voter rolls, or reducing early voting periods. These tactics, often justified as necessary for preventing voter fraud, are part of a broader trend of democratic erosion. They limit participation, especially among historically marginalized groups, and skew the electorate in favor of those already in power.

While not explicitly focused on voting rights, Moreno’s platform drew on concerns about government overreach. His emphasis on securing borders and reducing regulations speaks to a broader fear among some Americans that their government is no longer working for them. We often explore how populist candidates leverage these concerns to challenge the status quo. However, this can lead to a dangerous polarization, where distrust in government institutions becomes so deep that any electoral outcome can be called into question, something we saw play out after the 2020 presidential election.

As I reflect on this week’s events, I’m reminded that democratic erosion isn’t just a concept we learn about. It’s happening right in front of us, in how these campaigns are being run, the issues being highlighted, and the stakes of this Senate race. In a state like Ohio, often seen as a predictor of national trends, what happens here could be a measure of how strong democracy is in the U.S.

One particular moment from Sherrod Brown’s rally stood out to me. He talked about how Ohioans deserve leaders who will protect democracy, not undermine it. It’s a message that resonates with many people who feel that democracy is fragile right now. We’ve seen efforts to undermine faith in the electoral process, not just through disinformation but also through efforts to intimidate voters or question the legitimacy of elections before the results are even in. This kind of rhetoric, if left unchecked, can have lasting effects on the stability of our democratic systems. 

At Moreno’s rally, there was energy and a sense of urgency among his supporters. They feel that they are fighting for the future of the country. But there’s also a sense of mistrust, not just of Democrats, but of the entire system. This mistrust has been built by years of claims that elections are rigged, and it’s a mistrust that will be hard to overcome no matter who wins in November. It’s not that questioning government is inherently wrong; a healthy skepticism is part of a functioning democracy. But when that skepticism turns into rejecting democratic institutions, it threatens the system.

Ultimately, the fight for democracy isn’t just happening in Washington, D.C., or academic circles. It’s happening here in Ohio, on the ground, in rallies, early voting sites, and conversations among voters. I feel both a responsibility and a privilege to be part of this moment.