A new exhibit at UMass Boston highlights Massachusetts' role in preserving democracy

Nestled in the collection of buildings on the campus of UMass Boston is the Commonwealth Museum, which houses some of Massachusetts' history from colonial times. A new exhibit, "Massachusetts Defending Democracy in America,” features historical documents from the state archives about the Bay State's role in creating, expanding and preserving democracy. Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin unveiled the new exhibit yesterday. He joined host Aaron Schachter on Morning Edition to discuss it. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Aaron Schachter: Secretary Galvin, what do you hope people will learn from this new exhibit?

Bill Galvin: Well, it's about the history of Massachusetts defending our democracy. Our history obviously is the history of America. But, in particular, when the issue of voting comes up and citizens making decisions, we have a very strong history. We were one of the first states that actually incorporated it into our constitution, the idea of everyone having the opportunity to vote. Elected officials were chosen by the people. We were one of the first states that removed the property requirement in 1820 for citizens to vote.

In addition to those aspects of the exhibition — the long history of contested elections where we [Massachusetts] ultimately upheld the rights of voters, irrespective of the closeness of the election. The purpose of this is to illustrate that democracy always has to be defended.

Schachter: And do you really think that an exhibit like this is going to catch people's attention?

Galvin: Well, I think it begins with people recognizing the history of what's at stake, and that's what the exhibition demonstrates. We're trying to mobilize election officials around the country, both Democrats and Republicans, Americans in general, not on a partisan basis, but on a basis of making sure that we defend democracy.

And I think by pointing out that there have been challenges in the past, that it requires us to sustain the rule of law to make sure that if there are election contests, that they're decided based on the outcome of the votes, that we don't subvert elections by deciding we don't like the outcome, so we're going to ignore them.

It's a reality right now that election officials around the country are the subject of intimidation and threats. That's a fact. It's a reality that there are efforts on to curtail the rights of voters, which are particularly directed at persons of color around the country. That's a fact. We only are able to deal with these things when we address the facts.

Schachter: If you saw the New York Times just a few days ago, eminent legal scholar Laurence Tribe wrote something, essentially saying, we're teetering on the brink. Do you get that impression from inside government, teetering?

Galvin: I don't know what he exactly meant. I didn't read his piece — If we are to say, well, we don't care who won the election, my side didn't win, so therefore I have the right to substitute my candidate, even though I don't believe they won, or creating false statements and promoting false statements about the outcome elections — we have processes in place, both statutorily and constitutionally to decide elections if there is a legitimate issue to decide.

Here in Massachusetts, we've had post-election audits. We have very easy-to-use recount laws where those who wish to actually see the ballots hand-counted can see them. And we provide that. It goes on all the time here in Massachusetts, in local elections and other elections, and most parts of the country have the same thing.

Most Americans agree with that. Most Americans believe that elections, once properly and feel be counted, have to be accepted. Unfortunately, an increasing percentage don't. But the only way to make sure that they are not successful with that effort is to speak out to the majority that agree who perhaps don't realize there is as much concern about this issue and the potential that it has. So I'm concerned about, what does the future hold '22 and '24? That's what I'm concerned about.