This election year, business leaders like you have a crucial role to play in strengthening and protecting our democracy. The open letter below outlines business leaders' commitment to democracy and election integrity and urges public officials, civic leaders, and business leaders to commit to the key democratic principles.  

We hope you will join us in this crucial effort by adding your name to this letter. 

An Open Letter from Small Business Organizations and Owners on Election Integrity and American Democracy 

We, the undersigned small business owners, organizations, and chambers of commerce from across America, are joining together to promote fair and secure elections and urge small business leaders across the country to stand with us against the escalating threat of political violence that has no place in our democracy

As small business owners and advocates for small businesses on Main Streets across the nation, we know firsthand that a strong economy requires a strong democracy. According to research from Small Business for America's Future, 89% of small business owners surveyed indicate that “a well-functioning democracy is very important to a strong small business economy.”

As such, we are coming together to commit ourselves – and to urge elected officials, civic leaders, and business leaders to commit to – the following principles: 

1. Publicly support and affirm a commitment to safe and secure elections; 

2. Support voter education and engagement; 

3. Denounce threats of political violence, including against election workers;

4. Commit to comply with all federal and state election laws and regulations, including acknowledging the legitimacy of the outcomes after the results have been certified and courts have made final rulings;  

5. Comply with all Federal and local election rules and regulations;

6. Respect every eligible voter's right to register and vote free from interference or intimidation;

7. Support and ensure the safety of election officials and poll workers from violence, threats or intimidation;

8. Make any claims of election irregularities in accordance with the law, and once those claims have been investigated and courts have made a final ruling, accept the election outcome without reservation and urge supporters to do the same; 

9. Accept and promote the peaceful transition of power, in victory or defeat.

Our democracy and our economy can both be strengthened by adherence to these principles.

Sincerely,