Meet the Democracy Defenders

In the minds of many voters, nothing less than American democracy is on the line in 2024. Some see threats on multiple fronts: foreign interference, artificial intelligence, a polarized electorate. Others are most worried about candidates who have undermined faith in our voting systems. The 11 people on this list-Democrats and Republicans, public officials and private individuals, business leaders and civil rights crusaders-are working to boost voter participation, reverse disenfranchisement, and combat misinformation. Their efforts help not only defend democracy, but also strengthen it.

- SIMMONE SHAH, VERA BERGENGRUEN

Lucille Wenegieme

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HEADCOUNT

Lucille Wenegieme sees her job as a straightforward one: "We turn music fans into voters."

That's the mission statement of Headcount, which leverages the fan bases of some of the world's biggest artists to get out the vote. In two decades, Headcount has grown from a small, grassroots initiative, best known for working with jam bands like the Grateful Dead, to a national outfit that regularly hosts voter-registration booths on the hottest tours, including those of Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande, Beyoncé, and Green Day.

Over the years, Headcount has helped register over 1 million voters. The group's research finds that outreach has had a clear impact-78% of the young people Headcount engaged with in 2020 ended up voting in the election, Wenegieme says. "You'll always for the rest of your life, no matter what election you vote in, remember that you got registered at this really great festival with your friends," she says. "That creates a core memory that we know sticks with people."

Wenegieme didn't always see herself in a job so focused on voting. "I grew up in Colorado, and nobody I knew had been involved in politics or campaigns," she says. After a stint working in the fashion industry, she shifted toward civic engagement-eventually working for the National Vote at Home Institute and the Denver clerk and recorder's office. Though the transition meant a big learning curve, all of her work has involved young people and how they communicate. "I've always tried to be that person that's thinking, How does this messaging [fit with] how people actually talk?"