Dear MoveOn member,
Tuesday night on the debate stage, as millions of Americans watched, vice presidential candidate JD Vance refused to say that Donald Trump lost the election in 2020.1 This is dangerous, and signals to a very real and chilling threat: that Trump and Vance will stoke the darkest conspiracy theories about the election and instigate yet another terrifying insurrection like in 2021.
In less than 100 days, Congress will be called to certify the results of the 2024 presidential election. No matter the outcome in November, it is imperative that every elected leader in our country do their job, honor the will of the people, and support the peaceful transfer of power.
The deadly and disgraceful insurrection that took place on January 6, 2021, was a stain on our history and a dangerous reminder of what happens when our elected officials fail to act with integrity. After the attack on our Capitol and democracy, 147 House and Senate Republicans still objected to certifying President Joe Biden’s win, further eroding the public’s trust and stoking conspiracy theories.2
Not again.
When the people vote, they should feel certain that their government will respect the outcome of the election and do their duty to complete the electoral process.
More than 50 organizations, including MoveOn, have come together to urge Congress to certify the results of the election. But representatives need to hear from constituents like you to know that the people are watching and expect their voices and votes to be honored.
President Biden and congressional leaders have the power to call Congress back into session. They must do so and Congress must come back into session to pass a supplemental funding package that will support Hurricane Helene relief efforts NOW.
Members of Congress are already warning of potential “chaos” and “potential violence” if the results of the presidential election are close, with some already spouting misinformation to erode the public’s trust in the election.3
There are 435 members of the House.
Only 30 have committed to certifying the results of the 2024 election.4 That’s less than 7%. Unacceptable.
We need every single member of the House and every elected official to commit to upholding the Constitution and the foundation of our democracy by honoring our electoral process.
The attack at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, was a violent attempt to bully and intimidate members of Congress from fulfilling their responsibilities to certifying the electoral votes. Five people were killed, and more than 140 were injured.5 The insurrection shook the public’s confidence in the security of our democracy and those who have sworn to uphold it. We can’t allow it to happen again.
Since 2021, some extremist state and local election officials have taken steps to deny or delay election certification. And House Speaker Mike Johnson recently said he would certify the election results only “if” it was a free, fair, and safe election—already planting seeds of distrust in our election system.6
For 220 years, political parties have honorably relinquished power to their opponents in a willing and peaceful transfer of power.7 Until 2021. We can’t allow the intimidation, violence, and denialism of the insurrection to become the norm. Elected leaders need to know that the American people demand their representatives act with integrity and have the courage to certify.
Thanks for all you do.
–Aliya, Kelsey, Oscar, Allison, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. “‘Damning non-answer’: Vance refuses to acknowledge Trump lost the 2020 election,” NBC News, October 1, 2024
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/damning-non-answer-vance-refuses-acknowledge-trump-lost-2020-election-rcna173569
2. “147 Republican lawmakers still objected to the election results after the Capitol attack,” Vox, January 7, 2021
https://www.vox.com/2021/1/6/22218058/republicans-objections-election-results
3. “Lawmakers fear ‘chaos’ if Trump-Harris race goes to the wire,” The Hill, September 30, 2024
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/4904338-election-uncertainty-fears-trump/
4. “Bipartisan group of lawmakers signs pledge to certify 2024 election results,” Politico, September 13, 2024
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/09/13/congress/house-centrists-vow-to-certify-2024-election-00178945
5. “Prosecutor says many more police officers likely injured on Jan. 6 than reported,” The Hill, January 5, 2024
https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4391205-prosecutor-says-many-more-police-officers-likely-injured-on-jan-6-than-reported/
6. “On certifying election results, Speaker Johnson offers a big ‘if,'” MSNBC, September 25, 2024
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/certifying-election-results-speaker-johnson-offers-big-rcna172625
7. “8 Ways Past US Presidents Handled the Peaceful Transfer of Power,” The History Channel, December 7, 2020
https://www.history.com/news/presidents-peaceful-transfer-power
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