51 AGs urge peaceful response to election results
Fifty-one attorneys general from U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia are making a bipartisan push for a peaceful transfer of power and a nonviolent response from voters to the 2024 election results.
“Regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s election, we expect that Americans will respond peacefully and we 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 that stands at the heart of our nation’s stability," reads the statement, released by the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG).
The statement is signed by the top prosecutors from almost all U.S. states — with the exceptions of Indiana, Montana and Texas — plus D.C. and the territories of American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Virgin Islands.
“We call upon every American to vote, participate in civil discourse and, above all, respect the integrity of the democratic process,” the statement continues.
"Let us come together after this election not divided by outcomes but united in our shared commitment to the rule of law and safety of all Americans. Violence has no place in the democratic process; we will exercise our authority to enforce the law against any illegal acts that threaten it."
The officials note that their plea comes after polling suggesting many Americans are concerned about postelection chaos and potential violence.
Roughly three-quarters of voters in a recent poll from The Associated Press-NORC Research Center said they’re at least somewhat concerned about violence over the election outcome, and states and cities across the country are reportedly preparing for potential election-related violence.
It also comes nearly four years after the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol, where a mob clashed with law enforcement and breached the building as lawmakers met to certify the 2020 election results, when former President Trump lost to President Biden.
Trump has continued to tout disproven claims of widespread 2020 election fraud as he runs for another term this fall. He's locked in a razor-tight race with Vice President Harris, as Decision Desk HQ/The Hill's polling averages show a national tie on Election Day — and election experts are on high alert for potential postelection violence amid the highly polarized race.
The effort by the attorneys general was led by Ohio's Dave Yost (R), Connecticut's William Tong (D), Kansas's Kris Kobach (R) and Oregon's Ellen Rosenblum, the NAAG president (D).
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