National Steering Committee for Trusted Elections Honors Election Officials, Encourages Civility, and Urges Protection of Democratic Institutions and Norms

November 8, 2024 — The National Steering Committee for Trusted Elections, a coalition of election and democracy advocates including The Carter Center, The Gerald R. Ford Foundation, former White House Correspondent Sam Donaldson, and others, released the following statement regarding the 2024 Election:

“Nonviolent, secure, and transparent elections – followed by the American tradition of concession – are core tenets of the Principles for Trusted Elections, advanced for the last two years by our national committee. To the candidates in this week’s election, up and down the ballot, we applaud your commitment to public service. We particularly honor all those who offered concessions, including Vice President Kamala Harris.

“Regardless of whether our preferred candidates won or lost, the members of our committee remain grateful for an electoral process that went smoothly, attesting to the rigorous planning and professionalism of our nation’s election officials. The high voter turnout inspires optimism because it demonstrates Americans’ passion for our national wellbeing as well as ongoing faith in our Constitutional democracy.

“As we look ahead, this is exactly the type of broad civic engagement, based on Constitutional principles and the rule of law, that must continue if we are to preserve the democratic institutions that protect us all. We call on Americans to recognize that the demands and opportunities of citizenship do not end on election day.

“To President Donald Trump and all our newly elected leaders of both parties, we urge you to protect our country’s institutions, norms, and system of Constitutional checks and balances. We ask you to consider thoughtfully perspectives different from your own. We beseech you to set aside past differences, to model civility and mutual respect, and to work across party lines to advance the possibility of a more perfect union.

“Ours is the nation that invented modern democracy; the rest of the world watches us. May our nation and all its leaders be principled role models for people at home and abroad.”

In gratitude for America’s peaceful transfer of power,

National Steering Committee for Trusted Elections

Co-Chair: Jason Carter, The Carter Center

Co-Chair: Michael Ford, Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation

Danielle Allen, Harvard University

Sam Donaldson, former ABC White House Correspondent

Michael Hayden, retired Air Force four-star general and former Director of the CIA

Margaret Hoover, Hoover Institute

Kevin Johnson, Election Reformers Network

Nick Troiano, Unite America

Kim Wyman, former Washington Secretary of State