Montgomery County commissioner creates Emmy-nominated short film to educate voters.

Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija has garnered attention for his unexpected achievements in the realm of media, as he and his team have received nominations for two prestigious News and Documentary Emmy Awards. Makhija, known for his advocacy around voting rights, was recognized for his involvement in a short film titled “You’re Being Lied To About Voter Fraud. Here’s the Truth,” published by Media News Source in October. The film aims to address the misleading narratives surrounding voter fraud, utilizing artistic elements and narrative storytelling.

As an attorney and law professor, Makhija made history as the first Asian American county commissioner in Pennsylvania after his election in 2023. He has taken on the role of chair of Montgomery County’s elections board at a time when issues of election integrity have reached heightened national focus. The six-minute video, created by the New York-based media company Sharp As Knives, showcases watercolor illustrations by Molly Crabtree, combined with Makhija’s narration that highlights the threats posed by election misinformation.

The video has received nominations in two categories: outstanding graphic design in the news category and outstanding set direction/art direction/scenic design in the documentary category. Makhija initially sought public office with the goal of safeguarding voter rights, amid an environment where misinformation about elections has proliferated.

In the film, Makhija articulates his concern over the increasing spread of election-related falsehoods. He recounts experiences where public meetings have been dominated by unfounded conspiracy theories. Rather than dismiss these claims, he engaged directly with constituents to clarify the election process in Montgomery County, finding some success in addressing their concerns through education.

Inspired by his efforts, Makhija sought to create a more impactful civic lesson. He collaborated with Sharp As Knives after witnessing their previous work, including a notable video featuring U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez discussing the Green New Deal. With initial crowdfunding support from friends and family, and subsequent funding from the nonprofit democracyFIRST, he developed the project’s narrative and illustrations.

Makhija emphasizes the security measures present in U.S. elections, asserting that widespread voter fraud is nearly impossible due to the decentralized nature of election processes across the country. The urgency of his message is fueled by his personal experiences, as he faced threats after his election, highlighting the connection between misinformation and violence directed toward election officials.

Scheduled for June 25 and 26, the Emmy Awards will reveal the winners of this year’s competition, marking an intersection of civic engagement and media innovation in addressing pivotal issues of our time.