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.
Organizations
Speak out on behalf of the Candidate Principles and encourage candidates and your organization's members to support them.
Individuals
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](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/TCC.png)
The Carter Center
![Ford Foundation](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Foundation-Logo-Black-Signature.png)
Ford Foundation
![Former Members of Congress](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Vertical-Logo-White.png)
Former Members of Congress
![Election Reformers Network](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/ElectionReformersNetwork_logo_Color_Color-copy-transback.png)
Election Reformers Network
![R Street Institute](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/logo-R-street.png)
R Street Institute
![NM First](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/nmf-logo.jpg)
NM First
![Lugar Center](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/logolugar.png)
Lugar Center
![More in Common](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/more-in-common-logo.png)
More in Common
![Niskanen Center](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Niskanen_Center_logo.svg_.png)
Niskanen Center
![Cohen Institute for Leadership](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/CohenLogo.png)
Cohen Institute for Leadership
![SC Small Business Chamber of Commerce](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/SCSBCC.jpg)
SC Small Business Chamber of Commerce
![New Mexico Chamber of Commerce](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/New-Mexico-Association-of-Commerce-and-Industry-logo.png)
New Mexico Chamber of Commerce
![The Rooney Center](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/rooney_center_full_color_logo.jpeg)
The Rooney Center
![Down Home North Carolina](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/DH-Logo-Square.png)
Down Home North Carolina
![Bridge USA](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Bridge-USA.png)
Bridge USA
![Unite America](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Screen-Shot-2022-05-12-at-11.45.36-AM.png)
Unite America
![Common Cause North Carolina](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/CC_Share_NC.png)
Common Cause North Carolina
![Bridge Alliance](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/BA_Banner.png)
Bridge Alliance
![The Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/cspc-logo.jpeg)
The Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress
![With Honor](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/WithHonor-Action_Color_Logo.png)
With Honor
![Democracy International](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/3.-DI-Logo-Only-Blue.png)
Democracy International
![Fair Vote](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/FV-logo_purple_website6.png)
Fair Vote
![Common Ground](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/footerlogo-1.png)
Common Ground
![American Sustainable Business Network](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/ASBN-logo.png)
American Sustainable Business Network
![independentvoting.org](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/LOGO_independV.png)
independentvoting.org
![National Institute on Civil Discourse](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/NICD.png)
National Institute on Civil Discourse
![New Politics](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/newpolitics_rgb_h_tr.png)
New Politics
![Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Capture-Kennedy.png)
Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate
![Byrd Center](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Byrd-Ctr-Logo.png)
Byrd Center
![NCPSSM](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ncLogocolor_TM_300.jpg)
NCPSSM
![RepresentUs](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/a2cdb955-3e7a-471a-8054-13fb211c6721-1561406791326.png)
RepresentUs
![You Can Vote](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/youcanvote.png)
You Can Vote
![Transparent Elections NC](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/TENC.png)
Transparent Elections NC
![Conservative Policy Leadership Institute](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Conservatuve-Policy-Leadership-Institue-1.png)
Conservative Policy Leadership Institute
![Georgia Black Republican Council](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Georgia-Black-Republican-Council-1.png)
Georgia Black Republican Council
![Young Democrats of America](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Young-Democrats-of-America-1.png)
Young Democrats of America
![Ga Natl Federation of Democratic Women](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Georgia-National-Federation-of-Democratic-Women-2.png)
Ga Natl Federation of Democratic Women
![Progressive Democrats of America](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Progressive-Democrats-of-America-1.png)
Progressive Democrats of America
![Latino Community Fund](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Latino-Community-Fund-1.png)
Latino Community Fund
![Community Foundation of Central Georgia](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Community-Foundation-of-Central-Georgia.png)
Community Foundation of Central Georgia
![Let America Vote](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Let-America-Vote-1.png)
Let America Vote
![Secure Democracy](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/secure.png)
Secure Democracy
![US Veterans Hall of Fame](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/us-veterans.webp)
US Veterans Hall of Fame
![New Journey](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/NewJourney.png)
New Journey
![AZ Business fro Democracy](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/AZ-Business-Democracy-RGB-07-1.jpg)
AZ Business fro Democracy
![Common Ground Florida](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/common-ground-FL.webp)
Common Ground Florida
![Progress Florida](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/ProgressFL.png)
Progress Florida
![Smart Justice Florida](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/sja_logo_new.png)
Smart Justice Florida
![Florida Tax Watch](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/FLtaxwatch.png)
Florida Tax Watch
![AARP Florida](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/aarp_FL_4c.jpg)
AARP Florida
![Citizens for Responsible Spending](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/CitizensResponsibleSpending.png)
Citizens for Responsible Spending
![FL Council of Churches](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/fcc-trans200.png)
FL Council of Churches
![American Children's Campaign](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/American-Childrens-Campaign_with-tag-scaled.jpg)
American Children's Campaign
![Business for America](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Business-for-America.png)
Business for America
![SPLC Action Fund](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/SPLC-Action-Fund-Logo-Stacked-Action.png)
SPLC Action Fund
![LWV Lower Cape Fear](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Profile-Picture-LWVLCF-logo.png)
LWV Lower Cape Fear
![New Mexico Open Elections](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Purple_Large.jpg)
New Mexico Open Elections
![Leadership Now Project](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/LNP-Logo-Yellow-Black-8.png)
Leadership Now Project
![Liberate From Hate, Inc](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/FB_IMG_1663685644810.jpg)
Liberate From Hate, Inc
![New Mexico Local News Fund](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/NMLNF_Logo_RGB.png)
New Mexico Local News Fund
![Brunswick County Democratic Party](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/BCDP_only-logo_lightblueBG-hi-res-RGB_jp.webp)
Brunswick County Democratic Party
![NM PBS](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/blue_nmpbs_logo_NO_TM.webp)
NM PBS
![The People](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/The-People-Logo-Hight-Res.jpg)
The People
![Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA)](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/LAMA-Logo-transparent.png)
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA)
![Bridging Divides](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/bdi_logo.png)
Bridging Divides
![Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Florida](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/IMA-photo.png)
Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Florida
![Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA)](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/LAMA-Logo-transparent-1.png)
Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA)
![BlogForArizona.net](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Az-Donkey-Logo-e1656199748216.png)
BlogForArizona.net
![Republican Accountability Project](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/RAPlogo.png)
Republican Accountability Project
![Local First Arizona](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/LFA-LogoH.png)
Local First Arizona
![Delta Rising Foundation](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/deltarising.png)
Delta Rising Foundation
!['N Good Company](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ngoodcompany.png)
'N Good Company
![Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GAinterfaith.jpg)
Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center
![Community Foundation for Southern Arizona](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/CFSA-Logo-MedHigh-Res_3MB.jpg)
Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
![The Pima County Interfaith Council (PCIC)](https://principledcandidates.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PCILogo.png)
The Pima County Interfaith Council (PCIC)
Catholics Leadership in Southern Arizona