Over the last two years, a diverse set of actors across the political spectrum have gathered to have candid conversations about the state of American democracy, and work to build trust in elections. We are elected officials, election administrators, scholars, advocates, and organizational leaders.
Today, we categorically condemn the violence and attempted assassination of former President Trump at a rally on Saturday, July 13th. We are glad that the former President is doing well, and are saddened by the death and injuries to other attendees of the political event.
American elections are free and fair, accessible and secure. Over the next few months, all of us will work to support a constructive election environment. For that to happen, we urge leaders across the political spectrum to work to turn down the temperature, and to encourage civil discourse when debating our differences.
Although we profess different political ideologies, we come together in a bi-partisan voice to say that we can never tolerate political violence as a country.
Signatories (as of 7/15/24 at 10:00 AM EST)
Brad Raffensperger, Secretary of State, Georgia
Jocelyn Benson, Secretary of State, Michigan
Scott Schwab, Secretary of State, Kansas
Amelia Powers Gardner, Utah County Commissioner
Amaad Rivera-Wagner, Chief of Staff, City of Green Bay
Trey Grayson, Frost, Brown, and Todd, former Sec of State, Kentucky
Ian Bassin, Executive Director, Protect Democracy
Lilliana Mason, Associate Professor of Political Science, SNF Agora Institute, Johns Hopkins University
David Becker, Executive Director and Founder, Center for Election Innovation & Research
Chris Saxman President CEO Virginia FREE
Scott Warren, Fellow, SNF Agora Institute
Pam Fessler, Advisor, The Elections Group
Avi Green, Green Mountain Strategies
Scot Turner, Executive Director Eternal Vigilance Action Inc.
Lee Drutman, Senior Fellow, New America
Michael Sozan, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress
Thad Kousser, Professor of Political Science, UC San Diego
Larry Diamond, Senior Fellow, Hoover Institution, Stanford Unversity
Lauren Prather, Associate Professor of Political Science, UC San Diego
Jennifer Morrell , Chief Executive Officer, The Elections Group