In recent years Georgia’s election systems have become the center of partisan debate, and that shouldn’t be the case according to officials at The Carter Center, the human rights group founded by former President Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn. The group is launching an initiative that will seek to bring leaders from both sides of the political aisle together to educate Georgia voters on their civic duties and what should be a peaceful, transparent elections process.
Co-led by veteran Republican strategist Leo Smith and Democratic operative and analyst Dr. Rashad Richey, the Georgia Democracy Resilience Network says it will bring together civic, business, and religious leaders to serve as advocates to promote objective information about the elections process and promote transparency throughout.
“It’s exciting to see Georgia Republicans and Democrats come together through this network to help preserve democracy,” said Paige Alexander, CEO of The Carter Center. “Their efforts will build on the work we started in 2020, when we decided to work here at home, using some of the lessons we’ve learned from working on election issues in more than 40 countries.”
“Peaceful, trusted elections are the bedrock of our democratic republic, and the network shows how we all can come together when it matters most,” said Smith. “We agree more than we disagree, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.”
Richey agreed.
“Bridging divisions and working together is the most American thing there is,” Richey said. “This country has supported elections for two centuries, and the network is part of that tradition.”
