Bipartisan Call to Uphold Electoral College Integrity
Bipartisan Open Governor Letter
On Constitution Day, September 17, 2024, 19 former governors from both major parties joined together to urge current governors of all 50 states and the mayor of the District of Colombia to fulfill their legal duty by certifying the results of the 2024 presidential election.
The bipartisan group of former governors formalized their concerns in a letter that highlights the critical role current governors play under the Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 (ECRA) in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
Under federal law, governors are responsible for certifying which candidate won the popular vote in their state through a document called the “Certificate of Ascertainment.” This certificate names the electors that represent the winning candidate and is conclusive under the law. The ECRA clarifies that governors must submit this certificate to ensure that the state’s electors are chosen based on the certified results of the election.
Without this certification, state electors may face challenges in Congress that may lead to their votes being dismissed. This could disenfranchise the state’s voters, nullify the results and rob citizens of their role in deciding the next President and Vice President.
Show your support by reading, sharing and signing the governors’ letter below.
“Governors have the power to prevent chaos and uphold the law. We are calling on them to ensure that every vote is counted and certified on time.”
Former Governor Jim Blanchard (D-MI)
“Certifying electors is a simple yet essential task that ensures a peaceful and lawful transition of power. Failing to meet this duty jeopardizes the voice of the voters and risks unnecessary chaos.”
Former Governor Tom Corbett (R-PA)
“The leadership displayed by these governors—both Democrat and Republican—is a testament to how protecting our republic transcends partisanship”
Ari Mittleman, Executive Director of Keep Our Republic
September 17, 2024
Dear Governors,
On this day in 1787, our founders put aside partisan differences and ratified the US Constitution. Included in Article 2, is the unique concept of the Electoral College.
As tens of millions of our fellow Americans cast their ballots in the weeks ahead, one of the candidates will ultimately receive the majority of Electoral College votes.
The voters in each state choose electors. It is the responsibility of all state Governors to confirm which candidate’s electors have been chosen by the voters to serve in the Electoral College. This responsibility afforded to the Governors is known as the preparation of Certificates of Ascertainment of Appointment of Electors. These certificates will state the number of votes for the winning candidate and will name the slate of Electors.
We write as bipartisan former Governors with an eye to December 11th. This is the deadline for issuing and sending Certificates of Ascertainment to the National Archives. This is six days before the Electoral College will meet in state capitals across our nation.
While there is much to debate on the campaign trail, we expect all candidates and the American people will agree that this time-honored process during our post-election period is not open for debate. It is simply a ministerial and administrative duty.
We hope you agree and are prepared to certify the appointment of electors and also reject any request to delay certification.
Sincerely,
George Allen (R-VA)
Roy Barnes (D-GA)
Jeb Bush (R-FL)
Chet Culver (D-IA)
Jim Douglas (R-VT)
Parris Glendening (D-MD)
John Kasich (R-OH)
Ronnie Musgrove (D-MS)
Bill Ritter (D-CO)
Mark Schweiker (R-PA)
Bruce Babbitt (D-AZ)
Jim Blanchard (D-MI)
Tom Corbett (R-PA)
Gray Davis (D-CA)
Dave Freudenthal (D-WY)
Jim Hodges (D-SC)
Scott McCallum (R-WI)
Edward G. Rendell (D-PA)
Roy Romer (D-CO)
Ted Strickland (D-OH)
Click below to download the Bipartisan Open Governor Letter
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