Sign-on letters

Issue One’s ReFormers Caucus calls on Americans to trust the democratic process


  • Danielle Caputo

Today, members of Issue One’s ReFormers Caucus — the largest bipartisan group of former members of Congress, governors, and Cabinet officials ever assembled to advocate for political reform — wrote a letter urging Americans to be patient, stay calm, and have respect for the constitutional process of electing a president as the nation begins voting in this presidential election. 

“Despite the current rhetoric surrounding this election, our democratic republic remains strong. For decades, state and local election officials have safely and securely run our elections. While this election may require more time to count every vote cast given the influx of absentee ballots because of the current pandemic, that does not diminish the integrity of the process . . . Once every vote is counted and the results have been certified by state election officials, the United States must continue with one of the greatest American traditions — the peaceful transfer or retention of power,” the bipartisan group wrote.

The letter continued: “During this time of uncertainty, there is one thing we can rely on — the integrity of our elections. A failure to have a peaceful transfer or retention of power could irrevocably damage the nation. A divided and dysfunctional United States only weakens us at home and abroad — and makes our enemies stronger. For these reasons, we call on our elected leaders to respect the results of the election — no matter who wins. And we call on all Americans to trust in our democratic process. Together, we can do this.”

In alphabetical order, the members of the ReFormers Caucus who signed the letter are:

 

Rep. Jason Altmire (D-PA)

Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-AZ)

Rep. Les AuCoin (D-OR)

Rep. Mike Kopetski (D-OR)

Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA)

Sec. Ray LaHood (R-IL)

Rep. Mike Barnes (D-MD)

Gov. Richard Lamm (D-CO)

Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK)

Rep. Rick Lazio (R-NY)

Rep. Doug Bereuter (R-NE)

Rep. Jim Leach (R-IA)

Rep. Don Bonker (D-WA)

Rep. Sandy Levin (D-MI)

Sen. Bill Bradley (D-NJ)

Rep. Mel Levine (D-CA)

Sec. Bill Brock (R-TN)

Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR)

Gov. John Carlin (D-KS)

Rep. Andy Maguire (D-NJ)

Gov. Arne Carlson (R-MN)

Rep. Marjorie Margolies (D-PA)

Rep. Bob Carr (D-MI)

Rep. Matthew McHugh (D-NY)

Rep. John Cavanaugh (D-NE)

Rep. Susan Molinari (R-NY)

Rep. Ben Chandler (D-KY)

Amb. Connie Morella (R-MD)

Rep. Rod Chandler (R-WA)

Rep. Patrick E. Murphy (D-FL)

Rep. Tom Coleman (R-MO)

Rep. Patrick J. Murphy (D-PA)

Rep. Sam Coppersmith (D-AZ)       

Rep. Sue Myrick (R-NC)

Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL)

Rep. Glenn Nye (D-VA)

Rep. Jim Davis (D-FL)

Rep. Tom Osborne (R-NE)

Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-TN)

Sec. Leon Panetta (D-CA)

Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA)

Rep. Tim Petri (R-WI)

Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA)

Sen. Larry Pressler (R-SD)

Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND)

Rep. Deborah Pryce (R-OH)

Sen. David Durenberger (R-MN)

Rep. Reid Ribble (R-WI)

Rep. David Emery (R-ME)

Gov. Bill Ritter (D-CO)

Rep. Vic Fazio (D-CA)

Amb. Tim Roemer (D-IN)

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI)

Rep. Claudine Schneider (R-RI)

Rep. Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD)

Rep. Patricia Schroeder (D-CO)

Sec.Dan Glickman (D-KS)

Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-MI)

Rep. Jim Greenwood (R-PA)

Rep. Phil Sharp (D-IN)

Sec. Chuck Hagel (R-NE)

Rep. Chris Shays (R-CT)

Sen. Gary Hart (D-CO)

Rep. Karen Shepherd (D-UT)

Rep. Dennis Hertel (D-MI)

Rep. Peter Smith (R-VT)

Rep. Paul Hodes (D-NH)

Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-FL)

Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ)

Rep. Charlie Stenholm (D-TX)

Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman (D-NY)

Gov. Bob Taft (R-OH)

Rep. Jerry Huckaby (D-LA)

Rep. Robin Tallon (D-SC)

Rep. Randy Hultgren (R-IL)

Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS)

Sen. Bennett Johnston (D-LA)

Rep. Bob Walker (R-PA)

Rep. Barbara Kennelly (D-CT)

Rep. Zach Wamp (R-TN)

Rep. Steve Kuykendall (R-CA)

Gov. Christie Whitman (R-NJ)

Rep. Ron Klein (D-FL)