Our statement on the anniversary of the attack on the Capitol

Published Date:
Contact to media:

Rich Robinson, rrobinson@fairelectionscenter.org

WASHINGTON Today, Robert Brandon, President & CEO of Fair Elections Center, released the following statement marking the one-year anniversary of the 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol:

“Last year’s insurrection at the Capitol was one of the darkest and most horrifying days our democracy has ever seen. That day proved that undermining the integrity of our elections directly threatens the lives and safety of the American people.

Since then, with blatant disregard for the violence and damage they cause, some former and current elected officials have continued to stoke false, fantastical claims of voter fraud and reject the outcomes of free and fair elections. States across the country are still calling for audits—which are in fact partisan reviews—of the 2020 election results, in hopes of advancing a false narrative that there were widespread irregularities with the vote counting. It’s a slap in the face to hundreds of thousands of conscientious election officials and poll workers, and it’s impossible to overstate how dangerous this precedent could become in the years ahead.

The truth is, the 2020 election was the most secure election in American history. Americans turned out in the highest numbers ever recorded for a presidential election, despite the raging pandemic and voter suppression attempts across the country. It is un-American and undemocratic to deny the results of the fairest and most secure election we’ve ever had.

In 2022, there’s a greater need than ever before to restore trust in our voting systems. We are undertaking thorough civic education and engagement campaigns to educate Americans on how our elections work and alleviate this dangerous mistrust. And we will continue to support state and local election officials in their heroic efforts to conduct free and fair elections. It is absolutely critical that elected officials, civic organizations, and the American public commit fully to these efforts in order to protect our democracy.”