NC Network for fair safe and secure elections welcomes statement by presidential centers in support of democracy

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carter Center joined 12 other presidential foundations and libraries in issuing an historic joint statement in support of the basic principles of democracy. The statement “reaffirm[s] our commitment to the principles of democracy undergirding this great nation, protecting our freedom, and respecting our fellow citizens.”

The statement is particularly relevant to North Carolina, where The Carter Center has been working since 2021 to build a Network for Fair, Safe and Secure Elections. The network is co-led by two former elected officials from opposite sides of the political aisle: Bob Orr, a former Republican state Supreme Court Justice, and Jennifer Roberts, the former Democratic Mayor of Charlotte.

The network has held a Trusted Elections Town Hall Tour, network workshops on conflict resolution, voter education efforts, and a new Commission on the Future of NC Elections that will study best practices in election administration. The first meeting of the Election Commission will be held on October 9 at Catawba College.

“Democracy is not guaranteed,” said Paige Alexander, CEO of The Carter Center, “As President Carter has said, we must demand that our leaders and candidates uphold the ideals of freedom and adhere to the highest standards of conduct.”

The full list of signatories to the statement is as follows:

• The Obama Foundation

• The George W. Bush Presidential Center

• The Clinton Presidential Center

• The George & Barbara Bush Foundation

• The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute

• The Carter Center

• The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation

• The Richard Nixon Foundation

• The LBJ Foundation

• The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation

• The Truman Library Institute

• The Roosevelt Institute

• The Hoover Presidential Foundation