TEXAS — In what experts deem one of the most competitive elections in U.S. history, the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) has announced that attorneys general from across the country have signed a statement urging respect for the election outcome, promoting non-violence, and encouraging civility during the polling day on November 5.
In a joint statement, the bipartisan coalition, with 51 state attorneys general including Ohio’s Attorney General Dave Yost, Oregon’s Attorney General, Connecticut’s Attorney General William Tong, Kansas’ Attorney General Kris Kobach, and NAAG President Ellen Rosenblum, outlined their commitment to uphold democratic principles. Notably, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton did not sign the declaration.
The statement emphasizes, “Regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s elections, we expect Americans to respond peacefully and condemn any acts of violence related to the results. A peaceful transfer of power is the highest testament to the rule of law, a tradition at the core of our nation’s stability. As Attorneys General, we affirm our commitment to protect our communities and defend the democratic principles we serve.”
The coalition is encouraging all Americans to vote, engage in civil discourse, and above all, respect the integrity of the democratic process. They call for unity following the elections, saying we should not be divided by the results but rather united in our commitment to the rule of law and the safety of all Americans. “Violence has no place in the democratic process; we will exercise our authority to enforce the law against any illegal act that threatens it,” the statement reads.
Local news organizations have sought a statement from the Texas Attorney General’s office regarding their position and reasons for not signing the petition, but as of this report, no response has been received.
Participating states and territories include:
Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
This initiative signals a strong collective commitment from a majority of state attorneys general to uphold the democratic process, reinforcing the idea that regardless of political differences, lawfulness and respect for the electoral system are paramount. This positive collaboration among many states provides a hopeful outlook for peaceful discourse post-election and highlights the importance of unity in democratic governance.