Election protection for 2026

FRIday, August 21

11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
PLYMOUTH CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
4126 Ingersoll Ave, Waveland Hall, Des Moines

‍in-person and virtual options

Lisa Whelan
Executive Director, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement

In the era of disinformation and attacks on marginalized communities, there is nothing more important than ensuring every voter is able to exercise their right to vote and our elections are protected. Deceive (conspiracy theories), Disrupt (intimidation and manipulation), and Deny (overturning results) are the election strategies of authoritarianism. How do we overcome those strategies, protect our elections and the right to vote, and defend our democracy? Join us for this important Crossroads conversation and how you can and must be part of the solution.

There are three ways to attend Crossroads. Registration is required for all three:

• Attend in person (with lunch) by clicking here. Four bag lunch sandwich options are available for $15: turkey, roast beef, ham salad, and vegetarian. You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, August 19. Late orders or walk-in requests for lunch will not be available.
• Attend in person (no lunch) by clicking here. There is no cost for this option, but we must have your RSVP to ensure we have enough seating.
• Watch via YouTube by clicking here. This online presentation will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

ABOUT OUR PRESENTER | Lisa Whelan is the Executive Director of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement (Iowa CCI), a statewide community organizing group that celebrates a long and rich history of putting people before politics, polluters, and profits. CCI has been working closely with Interfaith Alliance of Iowa and other democracy defense organizations to bring Iowa into the Election Safeguard Response Network, a coalition of organizations at the forefront of identifying, planning for, and responding to those trying to undermine our elections. Lisa has been a CCI organizer and staffer since 2002.

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CROSSROADS is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Des Moines.