I mean, to the degree in which I expect there to be an election in 2 years, and 4 years, I suppose that counts as optimism.

I've not seen any indication that elections themselves are under threat. Given that elections would happen at state level anyway (and absent disbandment of congress) those elections would elect senators and representatives. Which in turn have the power to remove a president.

So yes, I see nothing to suggest that elections themselves are at risk.

What about constant attacks by Republicans on whose votes counts?

It's happening again right now

https://www.propublica.org/article/north-carolina-voters-jef...

They justify these actions to their voters by lying about election fraud or exaggerating the issue.

Did you read this article?

> The state election board and a Donald Trump-appointed federal judge have dismissed Griffin’s argument that the missing information should invalidate votes.

The protests you speak of have already been dismissed (the last link in the quoted section).

Seems like the system is working as intended, even under ostensibly adversarial conditions?

If all but the most bubbled media have been brought to heel by billionaire owners or threats and the ordinary voters, the ones who sat out the last election or thought it was about the price of eggs, are exposed only to authoritarian-friendly propaganda, I don't have a lot of hope for the next elections.

They've fired the people responsible for combating foreign interference operations (CISA), have positioned the FBI and DOJ to investigate political adversaries, and have set up the military to follow unlawful orders. Buckle up. I will be surprised if we have free and fair elections, if we have them at all.