The Unity Forum, a cross-partisan webinar and podcast series presented in partnership with the Bridge Alliance and produced by Alumni for Freedom and Democracy, is dedicated to fostering reasoned discourse and strengthening the foundations of an open society. Each program brings forward respected experts who challenge assumptions about current events, elevate civil dialogue, and deepen public understanding of today’s most pressing social, economic, and legal issues. In addition to attending Unity Forum events, readers are invited to join post-event discussions, volunteer as community dialogue facilitators, or help promote open society initiatives within their networks. Opportunities to stay engaged and make a difference are available for anyone who wants to support the mission of meaningful civil engagement.
On July 23, the Unity Forum welcomes David Becker, executive director and founder of the nonpartisan, nonprofit Center for Election Innovation & Research, which works with election officials of both parties across the country to ensure elections are trustworthy.
A key element of Becker’s work with CEIR is managing the Election Official Legal Defense Network, which provides pro bono legal assistance to election officials threatened with frivolous criminal prosecutions, harassment, or physical violence.
Prior to founding CEIR, Becker was director of the elections program at the Pew Charitable Trusts. As the lead for Pew’s analysis and advocacy on election issues, Becker spearheaded the development of the Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC, which, to date, has helped most states update tens of millions of out-of-date voter records and register new eligible voters easily and securely.
Before joining Pew, Becker served for seven years as a senior trial attorney in the Voting Section of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, overseeing voting rights enforcement in several states, including California and Georgia, and served as lead counsel on major voting rights litigation, including Georgia v. Ashcroft, ultimately decided by the Supreme Court.
Becker serves as CBS’ election law expert, and his many media appearances include The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, MSNBC, “PBS NewsHour,” and NPR, and he is frequently published on election issues.
He is the co-author, with CBS News Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett, of the book “The Big Truth: Upholding Democracy in the Age of The Big Lie. ”
Join the Conversation
To find out more, sign up for the free Unity Forum live webinar on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 1:00 PM ET. The session will be interactive, with a live Q&A, so you can ask questions directly to David Becker and the moderator.
The event will discuss:
- What voters should understand about election integrity heading into the 2026 midterms
- How election officials verify results and maintain accurate voter rolls
- The difference between real election vulnerabilities and disinformation
- The ongoing debate over voting access, mail ballots, and election security
- How citizens can help protect voting rights and strengthen public confidence
REGISTER NOW:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Alb0FmtdRh2CRKZv5rPXDg#/registration
David Nevins is the publisher of The Fulcrum and co-founder and board chairman of the Bridge Alliance Education Fund.
Rep. Haley Stevens speaks at the Michigan Democratic Party Endorsement Convention in Detroit, Michigan on April 19, 2026. (Andrew Roth/SIPA/AP)
Cecelia Terraza, 36, and her children, Maya, 3, and Rio, 5, hold signs during a rally for Dr. Abdul El-Sayed in Lansing Center, Michigan on July 19, 2026. (Rosem Morton for The 19th)
Rep. Haley Stevens talks to women working on the line as she tours the Webasto Plymouth Plant on May 1, 2026 in Plymouth, Michigan. (Sarah Rice/Getty Images)
The crowd cheers as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed and Sen. Bernie Sanders raise their hands during the “People vs. the Powerful” rally at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Michigan, on July 19, 2026. (Rosem Morton for The 19th)