We, the people, have spoken. It is clear that Joe Biden, even with final votes still being counted, has won a majority of the popular vote and over 270 electoral votes, securing his election as our 46th president.
With a great sense of happiness and relief, those who supported the Biden/Harris ticket were jubilant after last Saturday’s announcement by the media, just as many who supported the Trump/Pence ticket were disbelieving, and like President Trump, remain defiant.
President Trump’s concession of defeat will contribute to the good order of government; without it, polarization and doubt will fester.
Reports of widespread voter fraud or irregularities are unfounded and baseless; indeed, this election worked—even in the middle of the pandemic. More than 160 million people cast ballots, many for the first time. We have much to celebrate in this historic turnout of voters, a successful election process administered by localities and states, and the election of the first Black woman and first Indian American as the next vice president of the United States.
We congratulate President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, who have promised to lead all Americans, whether Democrat or Republican. They are moving forward with the important peaceful transition of power as they immediately confront the greatest challenge facing this country—the COVID 19 pandemic. President-elect Biden has appointed a new Coronavirus Task Force composed of a diverse group of scientists and doctors who have worked in Republican and Democratic administrations.
We also congratulate the incoming 117th Congress, whose members will take office in early January. It is shaping up to be the most diverse in history, with a record number of women and LGBTQ people, and more ethnic diversity. Our elected officials are finally beginning to reflect the growing ethnic diversity of our nation.
We commit to working to bridge the divides that tear our social fabric.
In extending our congratulations—and our hope for a more representative democracy—we also recognize that the election results are still to be certified by Congress even as the orderly transition of government occurs. President Trump’s concession of defeat will contribute to the good order of government; without it, polarization and doubt will fester. It is essential for all elected officials to accept both the wins and losses of this election and offer their full support for the president-elect and the peaceful transition process.
This election revealed just how deeply divided our country is, politically and between rural and urban communities. As we celebrate our democracy, we are grateful for calls to bring the country together. Our FCNL community has long emphasized the biblical call to love thy neighbor—no exceptions. We commit to working to bridge the divides that tear our social fabric.
We also understand that our government has urgent work to do in the next two months, as well as the coming four years. As Quakers and people of faith, we will be urging Congress to pass both the necessary spending bills and a new, much-needed substantial coronavirus relief package. The leaders of the House and Senate have agreed that this must be done. We must make sure it happens.
We will continue to lobby with a fierce love for all our neighbors. Only then can we co-create the world we seek.
