2026 Election Threats: Actions Companies Can Take – Part II
Richard Eidlin, (facilitator)
Richard Eidlin, Coordinator of the Business Response to Authoritarian Threats (BRTAT). Richard has worked at the intersection of sustainable business, public policy and corporate social responsibility for thirty-five+ years. Over that time, he has helped establish several influential organizations, including the American Sustainable Business Council, the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives, Business for America and the United Nations Environmental Finance Initiative.
As was the case in 2020, the business community can play a significant role in promoting a fair, free and secure election in 2026. Given the escalating rhetoric, statements and actions of the administration, it’s time to start understanding the threat and organizing.
The April 22nd webinar, organized by the Business Response to Authoritarian Threats (BRTAT) hosted by ASBN, is the second in an ongoing monthly series, focusing on the relationship between a free election system and a stable and functional constitutional democracy. We’ll hear from experts identifying various threats, risks and vulnerabilities facing our election infrastructure this year
The webinar will cover:
- Election Landscape: current and emerging efforts by the administration and their allies to undermine how states and communities run elections (e.g., vote by mail, voter registration, certification processes, DOJ interference, the SAVE Act)
- Specific threats facing state & local officials: misinformation, intimidation, political violence and election system security.
- Steps that businesses can take: employee voter education, time off to vote, poll worker recruitment, material support for election officials, and speaking up to defend the integrity of the election system.
We’ll hear experts discuss threats and vulnerabilities facing our election infrastructure, and what the private sector can do to support election integrity. There will be time for Q&A.
David Becker,
Center for Election Innovation & Research (CEIR)
David Becker is Executive Director and Founder of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Center for Election Innovation & Research (CEIR), which works with election officials of both parties to ensure elections voters can trust. He also manages the Election Official Legal Defense Network, providing pro bono legal assistance to officials facing frivolous criminal prosecution, harassment, or physical violence.
Before founding CEIR, David directed the Elections program at The Pew Charitable Trusts, where he spearheaded development of ERIC, which has helped the majority of states update tens of millions of voter records and register new eligible voters. He previously served seven years as a senior trial attorney in the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division Voting Section, overseeing voting rights enforcement and serving as lead counsel on major litigation.
David serves as CBS’ election law expert and is co-author, with CBS News’ Major Garrett, of THE BIG TRUTH: Upholding Democracy in the Age of The Big Lie.
Tina Burton,
Ready for Tuesday
Tina Burton is Vice President at Ready for Tuesday, bringing over 32 years of government service at the federal, county, and municipal levels, with more than two decades focused on election administration, including eight years as City Clerk of Rochester Hills.
She co-chairs the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections, a cross-partisan coalition of election administration and law enforcement professionals working to protect election workers and voters from violence, threats, and intimidation. She previously served as Senior Program Advisor to the Executive Director of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and continues her EAC engagement as a Board of Advisors member, appointed by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.
Kandace Davis,
Civic Alliance
Kandace Davis is the Corporate Engagement Manager with Civic Alliance, where she works with companies to translate civic commitments into practical, business-aligned strategies. She partners with corporate leaders to support employee participation, strengthen workplace culture, and build meaningful community impact.
Kandace brings experience across nonprofit and private-sector environments, with a focus on basic needs access, civic engagement, and technology-enabled solutions. She specializes in program management, partnerships, and operations, helping organizations turn intention into action. Based in Houston and originally from the Mountain West, she enjoys working across regions and connecting with partners nationwide.