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Governors release joint statement on threats to American democracy

information provided by the Office of Illinois Governor JB Pritzker

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (September 30, 2020) – A coalition of 12 governors released a joint statement today on recent threats to the democratic process and reports of efforts to circumvent the election results. The governors included:

  • Jay Inslee (WA)
  • Kate Brown (OR)
  • Gavin Newsom (CA)
  • Phil Murphy (NJ)
  • Gretchen Whitmer (MI)
  • Tony Evers (WI)
  • Tim Walz (MN)
  • Ralph Northam (VA)
  • John Carney (DE)
  • Steve Sisolak (NV)
  • Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM)
  • JB Pritzker (IL)

The statement reads:

“We do not take for granted the sacred right of every American to cast a vote, and to have that vote counted, in the presidential election held every four years. It is a right that is foundational to our democracy and essential to the continuation of our constitutional system of government—something to be cherished, revered, and defended by elected leaders at all levels.

“Any efforts to throw out ballots or refuse a peaceful transfer of power are nothing less than an assault on American democracy. There is absolutely no excuse for promoting the intimidation or harassment of voters. These are all blatant attempts to deny our constituents the right to have their voices heard, as guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution, and to know the will of the people will be carried out.

“As governors, it is our solemn duty to protect the people of our states. Today, we affirm that all votes cast in the upcoming election will be counted and that democracy will be delivered in this election. That means all valid ballots cast in accordance with state and local laws must be counted, and that all states must properly appoint electors in accordance with the vote. We will not allow anyone to willfully corrupt the democratic process by delegitimizing the outcome or appointing fraudulent electors against the will of the voters.

“Our nation has held presidential elections and upheld the results throughout our history, even in times of great peril. We did it during the Civil War and both World Wars, and we can do it during a pandemic.

“And if the outcome of this election means the end of a presidency, he must leave office—period.

“We recognize that democratically held elections are not an exercise in controlling power. By its very nature, democracy is an exercise in determining and honoring out the collective will of the American people, regardless of the outcome. Disenfranchising voters in order to retain power strikes at the very heart of this promise. We call on elected leaders at all levels, from both parties, to speak out loudly against such efforts in the weeks ahead.”

The Lansing Journal
The Lansing Journalhttps://thelansingjournal.com
The Lansing Journal publishes news releases from state, county, and local officials who provide information that impacts local community life. The particular contributor of each post is indicated in the byline.

1 COMMENT

  1. What is the purpose of this document? Is there anyone that does not want to count “all valid ballots”?
    Is there any question that if the outcome of the election means the end of the current presidency he will not leave office? This statement appears to be piling on fearmongering at its purest. I notice though, that there is no parallel concern against the protests and rioting that occurred following the previous presidential election. Protests and rioting against a system that has worked well throughout our history, even in times of great peril – the Civil War and both World Wars!
    Only twelve governors could agree to this document? All Democrats? The other twelve Democrat governors did not sign? None of the 26 Republicans? I am not sure that this effort was not simply created to incite unnecessary angst by those who profit most by doing so.

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