To the editor:

Dear Congresswoman Elise Stefanik of NY-21:

We strongly oppose your planned objection to certify the 2020 presidential election results on Jan. 6. It is one thing to be disappointed in the outcome of an election, but to actively use your official office to formally oppose the outcome of an election that by all legal options has been proven free, fair and secure is not only wrong, but unconstitutional.

In your video released on Twitter explaining your reasoning for objecting, you labeled the United States of America a “republic,” failing to add the “democratic” qualifier. This is an important qualifier that signifies how you represent ALL of your constituents in New York Congressional District 21. Those of us who know the election results to BE “free, fair, secure and according to the United States Constitution” expect our voices to be heard and respected. As you stated in this video, there are other constituents who do not believe the election results. However, these results have been certified at every other level and unsuccessfully challenged through all possible legal routes, leaving no reason to believe that they are inaccurate. Just because you and others don’t agree with the results doesn’t mean they aren’t legal and accurate.

In the same video on Twitter, you expressed that “there are serious questions in respect to the presidential election.” If this is the case, then there are serious questions about ALL individuals elected up and down the ballot. You should be calling your own election into question, along with your fellow Republicans who’ve been elected or reelected this year and who also plan to object to the certification of the 2020 presidential election results. There is only one ballot that includes congressional elections and the presidential election, and so either all the votes are valid or all of them aren’t.

When speaking of your duty, it is your duty to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the democratic values of this country, and what you are planning to do goes against both of these. If you truly want to restore faith in the American people in our elections, then certify the 2020 presidential election results. This shouldn’t be about party lines or personal gain, it should be about upholding our democratic values and serving the greater interests of the American people, which is what Congress is supposed to do.

Congresswoman Stefanik, the people of New York’s 21st Congressional District elected you and expect you to uphold your oath of office and support and defend the U.S. Constitution and the laws of the land. You must maintain the integrity of the office you hold and the United States government by certifying the 2020 presidential election results come Jan. 6.

Thank you,

Kiran Kochar McCabe

Takoma Park, Maryland

Elizabeth Kochar

Saranac Lake