Election Integrity

The Importance of Open Debate and Civic Engagement in Defending Constitutional Principles

By John Fisher

Provo, Utah — At the Liberty Forum held on November 13, 2024, in the Provo Library, Robert Brown, a constitutional scholar and creator of the widely viewed video series The Constitution is the Solution, took to the podium to urge citizens to engage actively in defending and understanding the U.S. Constitution. Brown emphasized the value of open debate on constitutional principles, voicing his concerns about what he views as an alarming trend: reluctance by some leaders to engage in public discourse on key issues affecting constitutional governance.

In his speech, Brown made it clear that the Constitution belongs to "We the People," but he fears that its foundational principles are often overshadowed by partisan agendas. "The Constitution is not a tool for political gamesmanship," Brown said to a packed room of attendees. "It’s a framework that protects our freedoms, and it deserves our undivided commitment to open, honest interpretation."

A Call for Open Debate
Brown’s remarks were pointedly directed at those he sees as avoiding public discussions on efforts to change the Constitution with an Article V Constitutional Convention. "I’ve publicly invited figures like Mark Meckler to debate me on this topic, but they’ve refused," he shared, adding that even other booked debates fell through when his participation was announced. He noted that Michael Paris, a planned debate opponent, “backed out once he heard he was going to be debating me.”

For Brown, this hesitation is more than just disappointing; it reveals an unwillingness to allow alternative viewpoints to inform public understanding. "They want to push their views without the other side being presented," he said. Brown sees debate as a fundamental part of a healthy democratic process, stressing that an open exchange of ideas is essential for all citizens to make informed decisions. "Our government derives its powers from us—from the consent of the governed. Without informed citizens, this principle falls apart."

Educating and Mobilizing Local Communities
One of the core messages in Brown’s speech was the power of local engagement. He highlighted the role of precinct officers and local advocates in informing communities about constitutional issues. Brown himself spent over 20 years serving as a JBS coordinator across two states, advocating for constitutional principles. "It’s one thing to have people out there working in the community, but it’s another thing entirely to get a positive response," he said. "Nobody likes having the door slammed on them or facing hostility, but these are the side effects of promoting what’s right."

Brown acknowledged the challenges but was adamant that civic engagement at the grassroots level is the foundation of constitutional preservation. He recalled how his precinct members initially faced skepticism but eventually won support from those who began to see the value in their work. "When you’re working for what’s right, it can be tough, but it’s absolutely necessary. Building strong local networks and educating our neighbors about the Constitution is how we ensure that it remains protected."

The Value of Nonpartisan Constitutional Education
One concern Brown raised was that some constitutional education programs come with hidden agendas, which he believes can skew the understanding of fundamental constitutional principles. To address this, he recommends the Constitution course offered through the John Birch Society (JBS), which he believes provides a balanced and agenda-free approach. "If you really want to learn the Constitution, you need to study it without any strings attached," Brown argued. "That’s why I always suggest the JBS course—it’s a straightforward, in-depth look at the Constitution without an agenda."

Brown contrasted this with other courses that he believes may introduce partisan biases, which can lead to misunderstandings or selective interpretations of constitutional principles. "It’s not fair to yourself to take a course on the Constitution if it’s steering you in a specific direction that doesn’t serve a true understanding," he warned. He encouraged the Liberty Forum attendees to seek out unbiased resources to ensure they gain a solid, factual grounding in constitutional law.

Addressing Irregularities in the Electoral Process
Throughout his speech, Brown addressed several issues in Utah’s recent election process, pointing to data that raised concerns about voting integrity. Using data analyzed by the Utah County Clerk’s office, Brown presented an analysis showing what he considered unusual voting patterns, particularly among mail-in ballots. "These blue dots represent mail-in ballots, and you can see they completely shifted the race," he explained, referring to a visual display of the data. "When early mail-in ballots show an unusual pattern, it’s worth asking questions."

Brown’s biggest concern lay with “incomplete ballots”—ballots that only marked one or two races without completing the entire slate. In one race, he pointed out that around 6-7% of ballots only contained votes for the gubernatorial candidate, Spencer Cox, and omitted other races. "When you’re filling out thousands of ballots, you’re not going to take time to fill out the entire ballot," Brown theorized. "This is evidence of something happening outside of the normal election process." He suggested that such patterns could be linked to ballot harvesting, where ballots are filled in for certain races, possibly without voters’ knowledge or consent.

Brown also raised concerns about the reliability of Utah’s signature verification process, which he called "subjective." He cited statements from officials acknowledging that the process lacks a scientific standard. "When verification is left up to subjective interpretation, it leaves our election system vulnerable," Brown said, emphasizing the need for a more secure and consistent approach.

Building a "Team of 500" for Change
In his closing remarks, Brown introduced the idea of a "Team of 500," a group of engaged citizens who work together to educate others and hold elected officials accountable in each Congressional District. He encouraged those interested to join this effort by signing up for informational flyers and helping to distribute them within their communities. "If you’re willing to learn and share what you know, we can make a difference," he said. "Our legislators won’t act until they feel pressure from the people, and that means they need to hear from us directly."

The "Team of 500" initiative is designed to create a ripple effect of awareness and accountability. Each member of the team is encouraged to reach out to others, building a network of informed voters who are ready to ask questions and demand transparency. "If enough people understand what’s happening, we have a chance to restore some integrity to the process," Brown said. He believes that grassroots pressure can compel officials to take corrective action and realign their practices with constitutional values.

Conclusion
For Brown, preserving constitutional values is more than just a matter of personal interest; it is a civic duty that requires active participation and unwavering commitment. "Defending the Constitution isn’t just the job of those in office; it’s the responsibility of every single one of us," he concluded. Brown urged the attendees at the Liberty Forum to engage in civil debate, pursue nonpartisan education on constitutional issues, and work together to bring about change. "Whatever the results may be, I believe in miracles," he said. "But it’s our duty to do everything we can to preserve liberty, and then trust in divine providence to guide the outcome."

Keywords:
Constitutional debate, civic engagement, election integrity, U.S. Constitution, community advocacy