ABOUT THIS REPORT

This report summarizes a recent survey conducted among RuralOrganizing.org members from November 28, 2023 - January 24, 2024. In total, 854 people from nearly every state responded to questions about authoritarian warning signs in their communities, what they needed, and what they wanted to see from RuralOrganizing.org. The survey results show what rural and small-town people face in their local communities during this election year.

CONTACT

If you want more information about this report or our organizing programming, please contact Shawn Sebastian at shawn@ruralorganizing.org.

FINDINGS

• Authoritarian warning signs are present among over 60% of respondents.
• All authoritarian warning signs, except for voter suppression, were slightly more prevalent in rural communities and small towns.
• Over 25% of respondents reported experiencing political violence or threats of political violence.
• Many respondents who reported experiencing authoritarian warning signs and threats of political violence were not on competitive political turf. If there is only a narrow focus on electoral interventions, we will not adequately address the authoritarian threat.
• There is a high demand for training and materials on standing up to white nationalism and staying safe while staying vocal, further confirming the salience of authoritarianism in our network.