America Has Held Successful Elections Amid Crises Before.  We Can and Must Do So Again.

As business leaders, we know firsthand that the health of America’s economy and markets rests on the founding principle of our democracy: elections where everyone’s vote is counted.
 
We are in the midst of a pandemic that has caused great hardship for Americans in the form of lost lives and livelihoods. We must now come together to ensure that the pandemic does not cause even greater damage by threatening the integrity of our election.
 
Whether a vote is cast at an early voting location, by mail from a military base or by an individual avoiding COVID-19 exposure, or on election day at a local polling place, Americans must have confidence their vote will be counted and that the media will be cautious, patient, and thorough in their reporting of the results.  The alternative - election results that are inaccurately or prematurely reported - would pose significant risks to business and markets in an already fragile economic environment.
 
We are proud of the business community’s record of supporting civic participation, and pledge our support for these principles:

Elected leaders and election officials should count every vote and encourage civility while awaiting election results.  In many states, the law requires processing ballots received a week or more after election day, and in all states election officials will need time to process a larger than typical number of absentee ballots

The media, which play a critical role in our democracy, must take caution to use its voice responsibly and avoid calling the election before sufficient data are available

Business leaders should promote patience, civility, security, and accurate information for our employees, communities, and the American people during the election and in its aftermath

America has successfully held elections through previous challenges, like the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and the 1918 flu pandemic.  Now, it is our turn.