Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections

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.

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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.

Sign On

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: