MAKE ELECTIONS SECURE IN STATES (M.E.S.S.)
A Citizen’s Guide to Restoring Trust in Our Elections
In March 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order titled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections” calling on federal and state leaders to restore confidence in the nation’s election system. Around the same time, U.S. Representative Pete Sessions introduced the Making Elections Secure Act (MESA) to support states working to strengthen election integrity nationwide.
While federal leadership can provide important direction, election administration occurs primarily at the state and local level. This is where procedures are established, ballots are handled, and votes are counted.
Across the country, uneven standards, administrative loopholes, and fragmented practices have contributed to declining public confidence in election systems. Citizens Defending Freedom (CDF) refers to this problem as a national M.E.S.S. — a system that many Americans no longer fully trust.
To address these concerns constructively, CDF has developed the C.L.E.A.N. Up the M.E.S.S. framework, a citizen-driven model designed to help states strengthen election standards while supporting federal measures that reinforce voter eligibility requirements.
The C.L.E.A.N. Framework
Five Standards to Strengthen Election Integrity
C
Citizenship Verification
& Voter ID
Mandate government-issued photo ID and proof of citizenship for new registrants to ensure only eligible citizens vote.
L
Limit Mail-In Ballots
Restrict mail-in voting to military & overseas citizens (UOCAVA) to protect chain-of-custody and reduce fraud.
E
Early Voting Shortened
Limit early voting to 3 days to ensure Election Day uniformity and informed voting decisions.
A
Accountable & Accessible Precincts
Cap precincts at 1,500 voters for better oversight, transparency, and manageable audit processes.
N
No Digital Ballots
Mandate hand-marked paper ballots and precinct-level hand counting to eliminate machine risks.
M.E.S.S. ToolkiT
This toolkit equips citizens, churches, and community leaders with practical resources to understand, communicate, and advance the principles of the M.E.S.S. Framework. Inside, you'll find guidance and supporting materials designed to help educate your community, engage policymakers, and advocate for election policies that promote transparency, accountability, and public confidence.
Included in this Download:
Educational Resources
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M.E.S.S. Election Standards Memo
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One-Page Issue Summaries
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State Election Scorecards
Action Resources
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Common Objections and How to Respond
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Slide Presentation
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Pillar-Specific Issue Memos
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Countywide Precinct Resource
Download Your Free Resources
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