How can an election be free and fair

And as elected chief prosecutors, we say enough. The right to vote is foundational to our democracy, and we must all work together to protect those rights and preserve fair and free elections. Current efforts to undermine the voting process — including interference with the Postal Service and the threat of deploying law enforcement officials to police the polls — damage the fragile bonds of trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

In this joint statement, 79 elected prosecutors and law enforcement leaders condemn these tactics and call on all leaders around the nation to help combat these disheartening and destructive efforts.

Read the release and statement. The American people must be able to safely vote and they must have faith those votes will be counted. As Election Day nears, self-appointed poll watchers are preparing to patrol polling precincts for signs of voter fraud, even though it is exceedingly rare. In this op-ed in MarketWatch, FJP Executive Director Miriam Krinsky explains why these voter intimidation tactics are particularly concerning and how local prosecutors can ensure that everyone in their communities has the right to safely exercise their fundamental right to vote.

Fair and Just Prosecution Executive Director Miriam Krinsky issued this statement in response to reports that the US Department of Justice has weakened its long-standing prohibition against interfering in elections. Historically, avoiding election interference has been a fundamental overarching principle that guided DOJ policy on the timing of announcements in regard to voting-related crime.

DOJ policy has generally barred prosecutors from making any announcement about ongoing investigations, and also from taking public steps before a vote is finalized, because the publicity could tip the balance of a race. Interference with a fair and free election threatens our democracy and imperils the legitimacy of our entire government.

Skip to content Information and Resources Promoting Fair and Free Elections — Recommendations for Elected Prosecutor Engagement in Protecting the Right to Vote Public trust in democracy, the rule of law, and the integrity of our government is integral to public safety. The United Methodist Church affirms the right to vote for all adult citizens as a basic human right.

We understand as a general principle that every person is created in the image of God and is therefore of equal standing in society. Recognizing the inherent dignity of every person, United Methodists are committed to upholding human rights for all, including their social and political rights.

Free and fair elections are a pillar of democracy. They are determined in part through a commitment to the following principles:. These broad principles are buttressed by several electoral process-related obligations, as well as a number of key rights and freedoms, each of which derive from public international law. The electoral cycle approach depicts elections as a continuous, integrated process made up of building blocks that interact with and influence each other, rather than as a series of isolated events.

In designing and prioritizing its support for credible elections, USAID takes into account the degree to which the host country upholds democratic principles and standards for elections. Selma Votes in Tunisia. Skip to main content. Agency for International Development. Search Fusion Enter the terms you wish to search for.