November 2024
Open Sign-On Letter from Southwest Washington & Statewide Leaders Denouncing Political Violence, Upholding Election Integrity & Supporting Democracy
As leaders, we reaffirm our shared commitment and responsibility to help protect and uphold our democracy on today’s Election Day and every day. This is especially vital in the face of a recent attempt to deny Clark County voters their critical voice by destroying hundreds of local ballots through a drop box arson.
1. We condemn any form of political violence, intimidation, or harassment. We will work to help ensure the safety and security of all voters, election volunteers, and officials throughout the election process and beyond. We condemn threats or harassment and will not elevate actors who engage in violence or intimidation. We call for a full investigation of the arson against ballot boxes here in Clark County, in Oregon, and in Arizona.
2. We commit to accepting the results of a free and fair election. We call on others in our communities and across the state to do the same. We will work to ensure transparency and integrity in our voting process.
3. We will continue to keep each other informed and help ensure that every voter has the opportunity to replace a destroyed ballot, has access to credible resources on how to vote, has mechanisms for reporting concerns, can locate polling places, and can access reliable election-related information.
4. We support efforts to strengthen our communities against political violence and other destructive behavior aimed to intimidate voters, disrupt lawful exercise of our democratic rights, and thwart civic participation. We encourage respectful, constructive dialogue that seeks to bridge divides rather than deepen them. In signing onto this letter, we reaffirm our unity and shared responsibility in upholding the democratic principles that help keep Southwest Washington resilient and make our state and country strong.
Signed,
Elected Officials
Molly Coston, Councilmember, City of Washougal
Sarah J. Fox, Councilmember, City of Vancouver
Kim Harless, Councilmember, City of Vancouver
Greg Kimsey, Auditor, Clark County
Sue Marshall, Councilor, Clark County
Anne McEnerny-Ogle, Mayor, City of Vancouver
Erik Paulsen, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Vancouver
Diana Perez, Councilmember, City of Vancouver
Ty Stober, Councilmember, City of Vancouver
Glen Yung, Councilor, Clark County
Community Groups
Alliance for Gun Responsibility
American Civil Liberties Union of Washington
Clark County Justice Group
Faith Action Network
Fuse WA
Hockinson Education Association
Indivisible Greater Vancouver
Love and Justice Alliance
NAYA Action Fund
Northwest Progressive Institute
OneAmerica Votes
Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates
Vancouver Education Association
Vancouver for Peace
Vancouver Metro LULAC Council 47026
Washington Coalition for Police Accountability
Washington Education Association
Washington Low Income Housing Alliance
WEA-Riverside Council
Western States Center
Individual Signatories
Janet Birgenheier
Charles Chappelle
Geni Donaghey
Jess Durfee
Mike Ellison
Peter Fels
Wil Fuentes
Shareefah Hoover
Dr. Rebecca Keith
Ms. Mary Laski
James Oneil
Beth Ceron Osgood, President, Camas Education Association
Kristie Peak, President, Evergreen Education Association
Ms. Kim Pepper
Charles Polacek
Mr. Howard Rubenstein
Dr. Rheta Rubenstein
Isaac Segal
Donna Sinclair, former Washougal School Board member
Mrs. Barbara Toussaint
Dr. Laura Toussaint
Mr. Tom Toussaint
Shelly Washington
Mr. Den Mark Wichar
John Zingale
Updated November 01, 2024