“As the largest organization representing trade and professional associations in the world, ASAE seeks to uphold and promote a set of values and principles vital to the functioning of America’s representative democracy. American associations are formed for a wide variety of purposes, but all are stakeholders in the U.S. political system. Associations both directly engage policymakers to address issues impacting business and society and help preserve the foundations of America’s democratic process. While there is broad disagreement on how well America’s political system is functioning, there is greater consensus on ideals of America’s democracy that must be preserved, including respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and the holding of free and fair elections, among others.

Based on the 2020 election cycle, which prompted claims of voter fraud and/or misconduct in some states, a number of states have introduced legislation this year that would have wide-ranging implications for future elections. As these bills are considered, ASAE strongly believes that lawmakers have a responsibility to preserve access to the ballot box alongside election integrity. Legislative reforms that disproportionately disenfranchise communities of color are damaging to the ideals we uphold. Holding free and fair elections means removing unnecessary barriers for eligible, law-abiding voters wishing to exercise their civic duty and ensuring that elected representatives derive their authority from the will of the electorate.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Vest, CAE, 202-626-2798, cvest@asaecenter.org

About ASAE
ASAE is a membership organization of more than 48,000 association executives and industry partners representing 7,400 organizations. Since it was established 100 years ago, its members have and continue to lead, manage, and work in or partner with organizations in more than a dozen association management disciplines, from executive management to finance to technology. With the support of the ASAE Research Foundation, a separate nonprofit entity, ASAE is the premier source of learning, knowledge, and future-oriented research for the association and nonprofit profession and provides resources, education, ideas, and advocacy to enhance the power and performance of the association and nonprofit community. Visit ASAE at asaecenter.org.