Pillars in Lancaster Online
Rev. Bradley Mattson published a piece in Lancaster Online about Pillars’ work to bolster confidence in elections:
Several months ago, I was invited to join Pillars of the Community, a program that seeks to restore public trust in elections by fostering dialogue and transparency among civic leaders, faith leaders and election officials. This initiative is co-chaired by Bob Bauer and Ben Ginsberg, who have spent decades on opposite sides of some of the most contentious election disputes in the country. Ginsberg served as national counsel to the 2000 and 2004 Bush presidential campaigns, as well as the 2008 and 2012 Romney campaigns. Bauer served as White House counsel to President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2011 and was counsel to both Obama presidential campaigns.
Despite their differing political backgrounds, their shared experience has taught them the critical role that trust plays in our electoral system. The Pillars model is unique: building confidence in our elections from the ground up, starting at the community level.
Through this work, I have met election officials who, despite facing threats and intimidation, continue to uphold their duty with integrity and professionalism. Trust in our elections is not just about the systems we have built — it is about trusting the people who run them, people who are our friends and our neighbors.
As a faith leader, I am reminded of the core tenets of our Christian baptismal covenant. It calls us to respect the dignity of every human being, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to seek justice and peace for all. These values are not passive; they demand action. They call us to stand up for what is right, to be advocates for truth, and to reject any form of violence or intimidation. Faith is not silent. Faith advocates.