October 18, 2016

Chairman Reince Priebus
Republican National Committee
310 First Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
Dear Mr. Chairman,
I know you care as deeply as I do about our Democracy.
As you know, both the Intelligence Community and DHS have concluded that the
Russian Government is seeking to inject themselves into our election as they have in
other places.
Accordingly, I write for two reasons.
The first is to offer to conduct a Subject Matter Expert briefing for Republican Party
organizations on the nature of the hack perpetrated on the Democratic Party, so you can
safeguard against a similar attempt of theft and manipulation.
With three weeks to go, the challenge for both parties is to focus on the integrity of the
Election Day process and the acceptance of the results in accord with our history as the
longest continuing democracy in history.
The second reason I write is to ask that you join me in a bi-partisan statement
reaffirming the following six items.
First, all eligible voters have a right to cast a ballot and have their ballot counted
accurately in accordance with state laws. There is fear that the goal of a hacker attack on
the voter list is to delete or alter names or other information and cause incidents at the
polling stations.
Second, every effort by party observers should be to ensure citizens’ right to vote and
observers should abide by the rules established by the polling officials. There is a
legitimate process of observation of elections in the United States and around the world.
Election monitors are known to the polling station officials and provide a constructive
witness to American democracy. However, it is important that these efforts do not
intimidate or dissuade eligible citizens from voting.

 Third, administrative and legal challenges to voters, voting, counting, re-counting, and
election results are well defined in the United States. We enjoy the rule of law. Every
close election result will inevitably be reviewed and such action is completely
appropriate.
Fourth, we have witnessed an avalanche of polling data during this election. In the past,
exit polls occasionally became the basis for premature announcements which affected
participation. We should encourage the results to be known, as a function of the count,
not conjecture.
Finally, we should encourage a little patience and understanding for the thousands of
poll workers who are counting ballots and tabulating results. These people are
primarily retirees and students who work long days at the polling stations and counting
ballots. They are fellow citizens from the community who are doing a public service.
Compensation is usually barely minimum wage. They should be “thanked” for their
service to our country and their community rather than abused on Election Day.
Should you be willing, I will have my colleagues draft a statement for review,
collaboration and announcement.
Many thanks,

Donna Brazile
Interim Chair
Democratic National Committee