Joint Statement on Trust in Elections as a Cornerstone of American Democracy

More than 100 former U.S. senators, members of Congress, governors, and White House officials from both parties and top-ranking military veterans have issued a powerful joint statement affirming the critical importance of trust in America’s elections and the peaceful transfer of power:

The U.S. Constitution begins with the powerful words, “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union….”  The people are at the core of the American experiment in self-government, which relies on its citizens to express their will through free and fair elections. American democracy thrives because every eligible citizen has the right to participate in the electoral process and to have their vote counted fairly and accurately. Public trust is earned through transparent and accountable systems designed to safeguard elections from fraud, manipulation, or undue influence. Across tens of thousands of jurisdictions, hundreds of thousands of election officials, poll workers, and volunteers work tirelessly to ensure the integrity of the process, performing audits and administering elections securely and fairly. We honor their service by collaborating with them to uphold the integrity of our electoral system.

We call on all Americans not only to vote but also to uphold and support the electoral system that undergirds our Constitutional system of representation and preserves our freedom. Election workers must be supported, not threatened. Upholding public confidence in how elections work and in the members of our communities across the country who are working tirelessly to administer safe and secure elections strengthens us as a nation.

We affirm that once elections are administered and certified, with appropriate recounts and reviews conducted as necessary, it is critical for all candidates for public office to accept the results and support the peaceful transfer of power. The peaceful transfer of power is essential for ensuring stability in governance, confidence in social, economic, and political institutions, and global diplomatic relations and international standing.

We, the undersigned leaders, affirm our commitment to strengthening public confidence in the electoral process. We will work to protect the integrity of our elections in a strictly nonpartisan manner. We call on all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, to refrain from using threats, misinformation, or tactics that undermine the public’s trust in the electoral process. We urge all Americans to support fair elections and honor their results.  Trust in our elections is the cornerstone upon which our principles and values for self-governance are built. Without trust in the electoral process, the legitimacy of government, the will of the people, and the very principles of our Constitution are at risk.