WASHINGTON—The ABA Task Force for American Democracy today released its final report, a sweeping set of recommendations to strengthen American democracy, and announced its transition into an independent organization dedicated to protecting the rule of law and civic participation.

“The release of this report is an important milestone, capturing two years of work and offering a roadmap for strengthening our democracy. The creation of an independent Task Force for American Democracy ensures that this critical work will continue with focus and urgency,” said Mary Smith, Director of the Task Force and former ABA President. “The challenges we face will not disappear overnight, but by bringing together leaders from the legal profession and communities across the nation, we can build lasting resilience in our democracy.”

Originally convened by the American Bar Association in 2023, the bipartisan Task Force of distinguished judges, lawyers, civic leaders, business executives, and academics has spent two years examining the challenges facing democracy. The new report addresses urgent reforms—from revitalizing civics education and improving election administration, to ensuring the safety of election workers, advancing nonpartisan primaries, and curbing frivolous election-related lawsuits.

The release of the report marks the culmination of the Task Force’s work under co-chairs former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh C. Johnson and retired federal appellate Judge J. Michael Luttig, and the beginning of a new chapter as an independent organization. Going forward, the Task Force for American Democracy will focus on four interconnected pillars: galvanizing volunteer attorneys as defenders of democracy; equipping lawyers as educators and rule of law advocates; ensuring freedom of the press and upholding the First Amendment; and engaging attorneys and bar associations as community bridge builders. By mobilizing lawyers, educators, and civic organizations, the Task Force aims to strengthen both institutional safeguards and grassroots trust in democracy.

“This report was a two-year project issued by a bipartisan group of distinguished Americans. It is meant to tackle the fundamental question, “How did we get here?” said Jeh C. Johnson, Task Force Co-Chair. “Our hope is that our recommendations will be relevant today, tomorrow, next year, and beyond.”

“America’s Democracy and Rule of Law are under attack for the first time in our history. These cornerstones of our Republic will endure only if we choose to defend them, and the legal profession must answer our country’s call to lead in that defense,” said Judge J. Michael Luttig, Task Force Co-Chair. "America’s lawyers must position themselves on the front lines of this war and fight to preserve, protect, and defend our sacred Constitution and Rule of Law. This is the defining professional moment of our lives and of our times.”

The report is dedicated to the late R. William Ide III, former ABA President and Task Force Vice Chair, whose vision and leadership were instrumental in its creation.

For more information and to read the full report, visit www.democracy-taskforce.org.

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The Task Force for American Democracy was created to help halt our nation’s dangerous slide toward authoritarianism. We work to activate America’s lawyers and bar associations to fulfill their oath to uphold the Constitution and defend the rule of law, freedom of the press, and democratic norms—in the courtroom and in their communities—so that everyone plays by the same rules.