Committee for Safe and Secure Elections Releases New PSA Campaign to Increase Trust Ahead of Election

Media Contact: Cassidy Schwartz

Email: press@safeelections.org

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(October 22, 2024) – Today, the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections (CSSE) unveiled a series of Public Service Announcement (PSA) videos featuring voices from across America, including retired military leaders, law enforcement officers, and election officials. With less than a month until the General Election, these videos aim to increase trust in election officials and to prevent threats and violence directed toward election officials and their families. The campaign is part of a broader effort to ensure the safety of the electoral process.

The PSAs feature notable figures such as U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Marty France (Ret.); U.S. Army Lieutenant General Ronald Burgess (Ret.); Carly Koppes, County Clerk and Recorder from Weld County, Colorado; Wannicha (“Ike”) Rojanapradith, Director of Elections and General Registrar from Fairfax, VA; and CSSE members Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes and Michigan State Police Captain Harold Love (Ret.). They share messages of trust and confidence that call for a peaceful election season.

“Safe and secure elections are the hallmark of American democracy,” said U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Marty France (Ret.). “Threats against election officials and their families are something we expect in war-torn countries, not in America. It’s up to all of us to stand up and ensure our elections are safe and that every vote counts.”

“With Election Day just around the corner, it’s more important than ever to ensure that our election workers, voters, and candidates are safe,” said Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes. “Acts of violence and intimidation will not be tolerated. Those who engage in such behavior may face law enforcement action.”

The videos come at a pivotal time, as election officials across the country continue to face harassment and intimidation. CSSE’s PSA campaign underscores that protecting election workers is essential to maintaining public trust in the electoral process. “We are a nation of values and laws, and we need to allow election officials to do their jobs without fear of violence or retribution,” said Carly Koppes, Weld County Clerk and Recorder. “For me, ensuring every citizen has their voice heard through the ballot is an incredible honor, and it’s a responsibility we must all uphold.”

To watch the PSA campaign videos, click here. To reach the Committee for Safe and Secure Elections, please e-mail press@safeelections.org.

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About The Committee for Safe and Secure Elections

The Committee for Safe and Secure Elections features cross-partisan experts in election administration and law enforcement who aim to support policies and practices that protect election workers and voters from violence, threats and intimidation. The Committee also works to build relationships and trust between election officials and law enforcement to better equip both to prevent and respond to threats and violence against voters and election workers. For more information about The Committee’s resources and policy principles, please visit safeelections.org.