The American people expect candidates to play by the rules.
Free, fair, and secure elections are the cornerstone of America's democratic republic. Our government's legitimacy relies upon the "consent of the governed," expressed through elections. We stand at a pivotal moment for our nation, as misinformation, threats of violence, and interference undermine faith in our democratic system and place our national security at risk. Amidst these efforts to sow discord around our elections, even poll workers have become targets of violence and intimidation. This is not how elections are supposed to work, especially in the nation that invented modern democracy. While these dynamics have the potential to undermine the very foundation of our government, more and more Americans are standing up for our democracy. They are looking to their leaders to do the same.
We are asking candidates to lead by example.
Candidates who agree to the Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections uphold five core doctrines of democratic elections: integrity, nonviolence, security, oversight, and the peaceful transfer of power. Voters and organizations can lend their names to these principles, telling candidates to lead by example to help restore trust in elections.
Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections
I respect the checks and balances defined in the United States Constitution, and I support the electoral processes that protect the freedoms, liberties, and opportunities assured by our democratic institutions and norms. Elections must be conducted according to the rule of law - in a transparent, unbiased, and secure process.
As a candidate, I am guided by the following principles:
Honest Process
Cooperate with election officials, adhere to rules and regulations, and refrain from knowingly propagating falsehoods about the electoral process.
Civil Campaign
Encourage a peaceful election atmosphere during the pre-election, polling, counting, and post-election periods. Denounce any attempt to intimidate, harass, threaten or incite violence against opponents, their supporters, and election workers.
Secure Voting
Respect voters' freedom to exercise their lawful rights to register and vote, free from interference, obstruction, or intimidation.
Responsible Oversight
Encourage political parties and others to train poll-watchers on the election process and appropriate roles and behaviors, responsibilities, and obligations.
Trusted Outcomes
Make claims of election irregularities in accordance with the law and acknowledge the legitimacy of the outcomes after the results have been certified and all contestations decided.
Anyone Can Support the Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections
By lending your voice to the Candidate Principles, you're demonstrating your support for electoral processes that protect the freedoms, liberties, and opportunities assured by our democratic institutions.
Candidates
Agree to the Candidate Principles and demonstrate your commitment to free, fair, and secure elections.
Organizations
Speak out on behalf of the Candidate Principles and encourage candidates and your organization's members to support them.
Individuals
Ask your candidate to agree to the Candidate Principles as a way of demonstrating their commitment to restoring trust in elections. Speak out on behalf of fair and peaceful elections to your family and social network.
Support Fair, Safe, and Secure Elections
Sign the Candidate Principles and show your support for fair, safe, and secure elections. Together, we can help restore American confidence in our democratic system.
Our Organizational Supporters
Supporters of the Candidate Principles are organizations and individuals who agree that candidates for public office should lead by example and uphold the core doctrines of democratic elections: integrity, nonviolence, security, oversight, and the peaceful transfer of power.
In lending their names to this initiative, coalition partners and supporters stand behind the Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections.
Supporters of the Candidate Principles include:

The Carter Center

Ford Foundation

Former Members of Congress

Election Reformers Network

R Street Institute

NM First

Lugar Center

More in Common

Niskanen Center

Cohen Institute for Leadership

SC Small Business Chamber of Commerce

New Mexico Chamber of Commerce

The Rooney Center

Down Home North Carolina

Bridge USA

Unite America

Common Cause North Carolina

Bridge Alliance

The Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress

With Honor

Democracy International

Fair Vote

Common Ground

American Sustainable Business Network

independentvoting.org

National Institute on Civil Discourse

New Politics

Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate

Byrd Center

NCPSSM

RepresentUs

You Can Vote

Transparent Elections NC

Conservative Policy Leadership Institute

Georgia Black Republican Council

Young Democrats of America

Ga Natl Federation of Democratic Women

Progressive Democrats of America

Latino Community Fund

Community Foundation of Central Georgia

Let America Vote

Secure Democracy

US Veterans Hall of Fame

New Journey

AZ Business fro Democracy

Common Ground Florida

Progress Florida

Smart Justice Florida

Florida Tax Watch

AARP Florida

Citizens for Responsible Spending

FL Council of Churches

American Children's Campaign

Business for America

SPLC Action Fund

LWV Lower Cape Fear

New Mexico Open Elections

Leadership Now Project

Liberate From Hate, Inc

New Mexico Local News Fund

Brunswick County Democratic Party

NM PBS

The People

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA)

Bridging Divides

Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Florida

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA)

BlogForArizona.net

Republican Accountability Project

Local First Arizona

Delta Rising Foundation

'N Good Company

Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center

Community Foundation for Southern Arizona

The Pima County Interfaith Council (PCIC)
Catholics Leadership in Southern Arizona