As a concerned citizen, you have the right and responsibility to ensure that the democratic process is upheld and that every vote counts.
When you suspect that an election has been conducted unfairly or fraudulently, it is crucial to take action and make your voice heard.
Sample Letters of Intent to Contest Election
By writing a letter of intent to contest an election, you can formally express your concerns, present evidence of irregularities, and demand a thorough investigation.
In this comprehensive guide, we have compiled 15 sample letters that will empower you to challenge questionable election results and fight for the integrity of our democratic system.
Whether you are contesting a local, state, or national election, these templates will provide you with the tools and inspiration to stand up for what is right and protect the will of the people.
Letter of Intent to Contest Election Sample 1
Subject: Letter of Intent to Contest the Mayoral Election in Oakville
Dear Election Board of Oakville,
I, John Smith, am writing to formally express my intent to contest the recent mayoral election in Oakville. As a registered voter and concerned citizen, I have reason to believe that the election was conducted in a manner that violates the principles of fairness, transparency, and democracy.
During the weeks leading up to the election, I witnessed numerous instances of voter intimidation, misinformation campaigns, and attempts to suppress voter turnout in certain communities. On election day itself, I observed irregularities at several polling stations, including malfunctioning voting machines, inadequate staffing, and inconsistent application of voter ID requirements.
Furthermore, the unofficial election results show a significant discrepancy between the number of registered voters and the total votes cast, raising questions about the accuracy and integrity of the vote-counting process.
Given these concerns, I am requesting a full investigation into the conduct of the mayoral election, including a manual recount of all ballots and an audit of the voter rolls and voting equipment. I am prepared to provide affidavits and other evidence to support my claims and assist with the investigation.
As a citizen who values the democratic process and believes in the importance of free and fair elections, I urge the Election Board to take swift and decisive action to address these issues and restore public trust in our electoral system.
Sincerely,
John Smith
Registered Voter, Oakville
Letter of Intent to Contest Election Sample 2
Subject: Letter of Intent to Contest the Congressional Election in District 5
Dear Secretary of State,
I, Sarah Johnson, am writing to formally notify your office of my intent to contest the recent congressional election in District 5. As a candidate in the race and a witness to numerous irregularities and potential violations of election law, I have strong reason to believe that the election was not conducted fairly or accurately.
Throughout the campaign, my team and I documented instances of voter suppression, illegal campaign contributions, and false advertising by my opponent’s campaign. We filed multiple complaints with your office and other relevant authorities, but no action was taken to address these issues before election day.
On election day itself, we received reports of widespread voter intimidation, improper electioneering at polling places, and inconsistencies in the processing and counting of ballots. The unofficial results show a margin of victory for my opponent that is well within the range of a recount, and we have reason to believe that a significant number of provisional and absentee ballots were improperly rejected.
In light of these serious concerns, I am formally requesting a recount of all ballots cast in the District 5 congressional election, as well as a thorough investigation into any potential violations of election law or irregularities in the administration of the election. My campaign is prepared to provide extensive documentation and testimony to support our claims and assist with the investigation.
As a candidate and a citizen who believes deeply in the integrity of our democratic process, I urge your office to take immediate action to ensure that the will of the voters is accurately reflected in the final election results and that any wrongdoing or misconduct is exposed and dealt with appropriately.
Sincerely,
Sarah Johnson
Candidate for Congress, District 5
Letter of Intent to Contest Election Sample 3
Subject: Letter of Intent to Contest the Presidential Election in the State of Liberty
Dear State Board of Elections,
I, Michael Brown, am writing on behalf of the Liberty Patriots Campaign to formally express our intent to contest the recent presidential election results in the State of Liberty. As a campaign representing over one million voters in the state, we have grave concerns about the fairness, accuracy, and legality of the election process.
In the months leading up to the election, our campaign received numerous reports of voter registration irregularities, including instances of deceased individuals and non-residents being registered to vote in the state. We also documented cases of voter intimidation, deceptive campaign practices, and attempts to hack into the state’s voter registration database.
On election day, our poll watchers observed a range of issues, including long lines and inadequate staffing at polling places in certain communities, malfunctioning voting equipment, and inconsistent application of voter ID and signature matching requirements. We also received troubling reports of ballot tampering and improper handling of mail-in ballots at several county election offices.
The unofficial election results show a narrow margin of victory for the opposing candidate, with a significant number of provisional and mail-in ballots yet to be counted. Given the severity and scope of the issues we have identified, we believe that a full recount and audit of the election is necessary to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the results.
We are prepared to take legal action to compel a recount and investigation and to provide extensive evidence and testimony to support our claims. As a campaign committed to upholding the democratic process and protecting the rights of voters, we urge the State Board of Elections to act swiftly and transparently to address these concerns and restore public trust in our electoral system.
Sincerely,
Michael Brown
Liberty Patriots Campaign
Letter of Intent to Contest Election Sample 4
Subject: Letter of Intent to Contest the County Commissioner Election in Green County
Dear Green County Election Commission,
I, Emily Davis, am writing to formally express my intent to contest the recent county commissioner election in Green County. As a voter and a resident of the county for over 20 years, I have serious concerns about the integrity and fairness of the election process.
In the weeks leading up to the election, I witnessed a disturbing pattern of misinformation and false advertising by one of the candidates, including claims that were demonstrably false and misleading. I also received reports from fellow residents of voter intimidation and attempts to suppress voter turnout in certain neighborhoods.
On election day, I personally observed several irregularities at my polling place, including long lines, inadequate staffing, and malfunctioning voting machines. I also spoke with several voters who reported being turned away or given provisional ballots due to questions about their registration status or identification.
The unofficial election results show a very close race, with the winning candidate prevailing by less than 100 votes out of over 50,000 cast. Given the margin of victory and the issues I have identified, I believe that a recount and investigation is necessary to ensure that every legal vote is counted and that the election was conducted fairly and accurately.
I am prepared to provide sworn testimony and evidence to support my claims, and I urge the Election Commission to take immediate action to address these concerns and protect the integrity of our democratic process. As a concerned citizen and voter, I believe that we have to hold our elections to the highest standards of fairness, transparency, and accountability.
Sincerely,
Emily Davis
Registered Voter, Green County
Letter of Intent to Contest Election Sample 5
Subject: Letter of Intent to Contest the School Board Election in Elmwood District
Dear Elmwood District Election Board,
I, David Thompson, am writing to formally express my intent to contest the recent school board election in Elmwood District. As a parent of two students in the district and a former educator myself, I have deep concerns about the fairness and legality of the election process.
During the campaign, I witnessed several instances of improper electioneering by school district employees, including teachers and administrators who used district resources and platforms to promote certain candidates. I also received reports of voter intimidation and attempts to suppress voter turnout among certain groups of parents and community members.
On election day, I observed several irregularities at the polling place located at Elmwood High School, including inadequate signage and directions, inconsistent application of voter ID requirements, and a lack of privacy for voters casting their ballots. I also spoke with several voters who reported feeling pressured or coerced by school district personnel while voting.
The unofficial election results show a surprising and significant shift in the composition of the school board, with several long-serving members losing their seats to challengers who were heavily supported by the district administration. Given the issues I have identified and the potential for undue influence and bias in the election process, I believe that a thorough investigation and recount is necessary.
I am prepared to provide detailed testimony and evidence to support my claims, and I urge the Election Board to take swift and decisive action to ensure that the election was conducted fairly and that the will of the voters is accurately reflected in the final results. As a parent and a member of this community, I believe that the integrity of our school board and our democratic process is at stake.
Sincerely,
David Thompson
Parent and Voter, Elmwood District
Letter of Intent to Contest Election Sample 6
Subject: Letter of Intent to Contest the City Council Election in Riverside
Dear Riverside Board of Elections,
I, Olivia Johnson, am writing to formally express my intent to contest the recent city council election in Riverside. As a candidate in the race and a lifelong resident of the city, I have serious concerns about the fairness and accuracy of the election process.
Throughout the campaign, my team and I documented numerous instances of voter suppression, intimidation, and misinformation targeting certain communities and neighborhoods in the city. We filed several complaints with your office and other relevant authorities, but no action was taken to address these issues before election day.
On election day itself, we received dozens of reports from voters experiencing long lines, malfunctioning voting equipment, and inconsistent application of voter ID and signature matching requirements at polling places across the city. We also witnessed several instances of improper electioneering and campaigning within the restricted zone around polling places.
The unofficial election results show a significant underperformance for my campaign compared to our internal polling and voter outreach data, raising red flags about the accuracy and integrity of the vote counting process. We have reason to believe that a substantial number of provisional and absentee ballots were improperly rejected or not counted at all.
Given the scope and severity of these issues, I am requesting a full recount of all ballots cast in the city council election, as well as a thorough investigation into any irregularities, violations of election law, or misconduct by election officials or campaigns. My team is prepared to provide extensive evidence and testimony to support our claims and assist with the investigation.
As a candidate and a citizen deeply committed to the democratic process, I urge the Board of Elections to take immediate action to restore public trust in our elections and ensure that every legal vote is counted accurately. The integrity of our local government and the rights of voters are at stake.
Sincerely,
Olivia Johnson
Candidate for City Council, Riverside
Letter of Intent to Contest Election Sample 7
Subject: Letter of Intent to Contest the Gubernatorial Election in the State of Harmony
Dear State Election Commission,
I, Ethan Wilson, am writing on behalf of Concerned Citizens for Election Integrity to formally express our intent to contest the recent gubernatorial election in the State of Harmony. As a nonpartisan watchdog group with over 10,000 members statewide, we have grave concerns about the fairness, transparency, and security of the election process.
In the months leading up to the election, our organization received numerous reports from voters and local officials about issues with the state’s new electronic voting system, including glitches, crashes, and potential vulnerabilities to hacking and tampering. We also documented cases of voter registration irregularities, improper purging of voter rolls, and attempts to intimidate or mislead voters.
On election day, our trained observers witnessed widespread problems at polling places across the state, including long lines, inadequate staffing and resources, and malfunctioning voting machines. We received reports of voters being turned away or given provisional ballots due to issues with the electronic poll books, as well as instances of vote flipping and other anomalies with the electronic voting machines.
The unofficial election results show a significant discrepancy between the reported vote totals and the exit polling data, as well as a higher than expected number of undervotes and spoiled ballots. We have reason to believe that the electronic voting system may have been compromised or manipulated in some way, and that the reported results do not accurately reflect the will of the voters.
Given the gravity and scope of these issues, we are calling for a full forensic audit of the electronic voting system, as well as a manual recount of all paper ballots and a thorough investigation into any irregularities or potential misconduct. We are prepared to take legal action to compel these measures and to provide extensive evidence and analysis to support our claims.
As an organization dedicated to upholding the integrity of our democratic process, we urge the State Election Commission to act swiftly and transparently to address these concerns and restore public trust in our elections. The legitimacy of our state government and the rights of voters are at stake.
Sincerely,
Ethan Wilson
Executive Director, Concerned Citizens for Election Integrity
Letter of Intent to Contest Election Sample 8
Subject: Letter of Intent to Contest the Municipal Election in Oaktown
Dear Oaktown Municipal Election Board,
I, Lila Patel, am writing to formally express my intent to contest the recent municipal election in Oaktown. As a voter and a longtime resident of the town, I have serious concerns about the integrity and fairness of the election process.
During the early voting period, I witnessed several instances of voter intimidation and harassment at the polling place located in the community center. I observed individuals aggressively questioning voters about their eligibility and trying to dissuade them from casting ballots. I reported these incidents to the election officials on site, but no action was taken to address the issue.
On election day, I arrived at my designated polling place to find that it had been unexpectedly closed and relocated to a different site across town, with no prior notice or signage directing voters to the new location. I spoke with several other voters who reported similar experiences and confusion about where to cast their ballots.
The unofficial election results show a significant discrepancy between the number of registered voters in certain precincts and the reported turnout, as well as a higher-than-expected number of spoiled and provisional ballots. I have reason to believe that these irregularities may be the result of voter suppression, intimidation, and other barriers to voting.
Given these concerns, I am requesting a full investigation into the conduct of the municipal election, including an audit of the voter rolls, a review of all provisional and spoiled ballots, and an examination of any reported incidents of voter intimidation or suppression. I am prepared to provide sworn testimony and evidence to support my claims and assist with the investigation.
As a voter and a member of this community, I believe that it is our responsibility to hold our elections to the highest standards of fairness, accessibility, and integrity. I urge the Election Board to take swift and transparent action to address these issues and restore public trust in our democratic process.
Sincerely,
Lila Patel
Registered Voter, Oaktown
Letter of Intent to Contest Election Sample 9
Subject: Letter of Intent to Contest the County Sheriff Election in Pinewood County
Dear Pinewood County Board of Elections,
I, Sebastian Rodriguez, am writing to formally express my intent to contest the recent county sheriff election in Pinewood County. As a candidate in the race and a veteran law enforcement officer, I have grave concerns about the fairness and legitimacy of the election process.
Throughout the campaign, my team and I documented numerous instances of unethical and potentially illegal conduct by my opponent, including using official resources for campaign purposes, making false and defamatory statements about my record and qualifications, and violating campaign finance laws. We filed several complaints with your office and other relevant authorities, but no action was taken to hold my opponent accountable or level the playing field.
On election day, we received reports from voters and poll watchers of irregularities and misconduct at several polling places, including voter intimidation, improper electioneering, and inconsistent application of voter ID and signature matching requirements. We also witnessed a suspicious and unexplained delay in the reporting of results from certain precincts that heavily favored my opponent.
The unofficial election results show a narrow margin of victory for my opponent, with a significant number of provisional and absentee ballots yet to be counted. Given the scope and severity of the issues we have identified, we believe that a full recount and investigation is necessary to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the results.
We are prepared to take legal action to compel a recount and investigation and to provide extensive evidence and testimony to support our claims. As a candidate and a law enforcement officer sworn to uphold the law and protect the rights of citizens, I urge the Board of Elections to act swiftly and impartially to address these concerns and ensure that the will of the voters is respected.
Sincerely,
Sebastian Rodriguez
Candidate for County Sheriff, Pinewood County
Letter of Intent to Contest Election Sample 10
Subject: Letter of Intent to Contest the Mayoral Election in Silvertown
Dear Silvertown Election Commission,
I, Valerie Nguyen, am writing to formally express my intent to contest the recent mayoral election in Silvertown. As a voter and a community activist, I have serious concerns about the transparency and accountability of the election process.
In the weeks leading up to the election, I filed several public records requests with your office seeking information about the voting equipment, ballot design, and election procedures. Despite repeated follow-ups and appeals, I have yet to receive a complete or satisfactory response to my requests, raising questions about the openness and accessibility of the election process.
On election day, I observed several irregularities and potential violations of election law at the polling place in my precinct. These included inadequate signage and instructions for voters, improper handling and security of ballots, and potential breaches of voter privacy.
The unofficial election results show a significant discrepancy between the reported vote totals and the pre-election polling data, as well as a higher-than-expected number of write-in votes and spoiled ballots. I have reason to believe that these anomalies may be the result of errors, irregularities, or potential misconduct in the administration of the election.
Given these concerns, I am requesting a full audit and review of the mayoral election, including a manual recount of all ballots, an examination of the voting equipment and procedures, and an investigation into any reported irregularities or potential violations of election law. I am prepared to provide detailed evidence and testimony to support my claims and assist with the audit process.
As a voter and a concerned citizen, I believe that transparency, accountability, and integrity are essential to the health of our democracy. I urge the Election Commission to act swiftly and openly to address these issues and restore public trust in our electoral process.
Sincerely,
Valerie Nguyen
Voter and Community Activist, Silvertown
Letter of Intent to Contest Election Sample 11
Subject: Letter of Intent to Contest the Congressional Primary Election in District 7
Dear State Board of Elections,
I, Marcus Thompson, am writing to formally express my intent to contest the recent congressional primary election in District 7. As a candidate in the race and a lifelong advocate for voter rights, I have deep concerns about the fairness and integrity of the election process.
During the campaign, my team and I documented numerous instances of voter suppression, intimidation, and misinformation targeting communities of color and low-income voters in the district. We filed several complaints with your office and the Department of Justice, but no action was taken to address these issues before election day.
On election day, we received reports from voters and poll monitors of long lines, inadequate staffing and resources, and malfunctioning voting equipment at polling places in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods. We also witnessed several instances of improper electioneering and partisan interference by poll workers and party officials.
The unofficial election results show a significant underperformance for my campaign compared to our internal polling and voter outreach data, particularly in precincts with high concentrations of minority voters. We have reason to believe that a substantial number of provisional and absentee ballots cast by these voters were improperly rejected or not counted.
Given the severity and scope of these issues, I am requesting a full investigation and recount of the primary election, with a particular focus on the impact of voter suppression and discrimination on the results. My campaign is prepared to provide extensive evidence and testimony to support our claims and assist with the investigation.
As a candidate and a citizen committed to equal rights and representation, I urge the Board of Elections to take immediate action to address these concerns and ensure that every eligible voter has a fair and equal opportunity to participate in our democracy. The integrity of our political system and the civil rights of voters are at stake.
Sincerely,
Marcus Thompson
Candidate for Congress, District 7
Letter of Intent to Contest Election Sample 12
Subject: Letter of Intent to Contest the State Senate Election in District 12
Dear State Election Board,
I, Caroline Silva, am writing on behalf of the Silva for Senate Campaign to formally express our intent to contest the recent state senate election in District 12. As a candidate and a grassroots organizer, I have serious concerns about the fairness and transparency of the election process.
Throughout the campaign, our team documented a disturbing pattern of dark money influence and misleading advertising by outside groups supporting my opponent. We filed several complaints with your office and the state ethics commission, but no action was taken to hold these groups accountable or provide transparency to voters.
On election day, we received numerous reports from voters experiencing registration issues, long wait times, and voter ID problems at polling places across the district. We also witnessed several instances of voter intimidation and harassment by individuals associated with my opponent’s campaign.
The unofficial election results show a narrow margin of victory for my opponent, with a significant number of provisional ballots and late-arriving absentee ballots yet to be counted. Given the irregularities and potential misconduct we have identified, we believe that a recount and investigation is necessary to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the results.
We are prepared to provide detailed evidence and testimony to support our claims, and we urge the Election Board to act swiftly and transparently to address these concerns. As a campaign committed to grassroots democracy and clean elections, we believe that every voter deserves to have their voice heard and their vote counted fairly.
Sincerely,
Caroline Silva
Candidate for State Senate, District 12
Letter of Intent to Contest Election Sample 13
Subject: Letter of Intent to Contest the City Council Runoff Election in Riverdale
Dear Riverdale Board of Elections,
I, Benjamin Torres, am writing to formally express my intent to contest the recent city council runoff election in Riverdale. As a candidate in the race and a local small business owner, I have grave concerns about the integrity and legitimacy of the election process.
During the runoff campaign, my team and I documented several instances of voter intimidation, misinformation, and potential vote buying by my opponent’s campaign. We filed complaints with your office and the district attorney, but no action was taken to investigate or hold my opponent accountable.
On election day, we received reports from voters and poll watchers of irregularities and discrepancies at multiple polling places, including inconsistent application of voter ID requirements, improper handling of ballots, and suspicious behavior by certain election officials. We also witnessed an unexplained delay in the reporting of results from several precincts that heavily favored my opponent.
The unofficial election results show a razor-thin margin of victory for my opponent, with several provisional and emergency ballots yet to be adjudicated. Given the seriousness and scope of the issues we have identified, we believe that a full recount and investigation is warranted to ensure the accuracy and fairness of the outcome.
We are prepared to take legal action to compel a recount and investigation and to provide extensive evidence and testimony to support our claims. As a candidate and a member of this community, I urge the Board of Elections to act swiftly and impartially to address these concerns and protect the integrity of our democratic process.
Sincerely,
Benjamin Torres
Candidate for City Council, Riverdale
Letter of Intent to Contest Election Sample 14
Subject: Letter of Intent to Contest the School Board Election in Mapleton School District
Dear Mapleton School District Election Authority,
I, Sophia Patel, am writing to formally express my intent to contest the recent school board election in the Mapleton School District. As a parent and a concerned community member, I have serious doubts about the fairness and transparency of the election process.
In the weeks leading up to the election, I witnessed several instances of electioneering and improper campaign activities by school district employees, including principals and teachers who used district resources and platforms to promote certain candidates. I reported these incidents to district officials and the election authority, but no action was taken to address the issue.
On election day, I observed several irregularities and potential violations of election rules at the polling place located at Mapleton High School, including inadequate signage and instructions for voters, improper handling and security of ballots, and possible breaches of voter privacy. I also spoke with several voters who reported feeling pressured or intimidated by school employees while voting.
The unofficial election results show a surprising and significant shift in the composition of the school board, with several incumbent members losing their seats to challengers who were heavily supported by the district administration and teachers’ union. Given the issues I have identified and the potential for undue influence and bias in the election process, I believe that a thorough investigation and recount is necessary.
I am prepared to provide detailed testimony and evidence to support my claims, and I urge the Election Authority to take immediate action to ensure that the election was conducted fairly and that the will of the voters is accurately reflected in the final results. As a parent and a taxpayer in this district, I believe that the integrity of our school board and our democratic institutions is at stake.
Sincerely,
Sophia Patel
Parent and Voter, Mapleton School District
Letter of Intent to Contest Election Sample 15
Subject: Letter of Intent to Contest the Mayoral Primary Election in Fairview Heights
Dear Fairview Heights Election Commission,
I, Aiden Johnson, am writing to formally express my intent to contest the recent mayoral primary election in Fairview Heights. As a voter and a longtime resident of the city, I have deep concerns about the integrity and accuracy of the election results.
During the early voting period, I experienced technical difficulties and glitches with the electronic voting machines at the city hall polling location. I reported these issues to the election officials on site, but they seemed unsure of how to resolve the problems and did not offer me a paper ballot alternative.
On election day, I arrived at my designated polling place to find long lines, insufficient voting booths and machines, and a chaotic and disorganized atmosphere. I witnessed several voters leaving in frustration without casting their ballots and overheard numerous complaints about the wait times and the malfunctioning equipment.
The unofficial election results show a significant discrepancy between the vote totals reported on election night and the updated tallies released in the following days, with no clear explanation for the changes. I have reason to believe that these inconsistencies may be the result of errors, glitches, or security breaches in the electronic voting system.
Given these serious concerns, I am requesting a full forensic audit and recount of the mayoral primary election, including a thorough examination of the electronic voting machines, memory cards, and tally servers for any signs of malfunction, tampering, or hacking. I am also requesting an investigation into the training and performance of election officials and poll workers and the adequacy of contingency plans and backup systems.
As a voter and a citizen, I believe that the accuracy, security, and integrity of our elections are of the utmost importance. I urge the Election Commission to take immediate and transparent action to address these issues and restore public trust in the democratic process.
Sincerely,
Aiden Johnson
Registered Voter, Fairview Heights
Conclusion
In conclusion, contesting an election is a serious and consequential decision that should not be taken lightly. However, when there is clear evidence of irregularities, misconduct, or violations of the democratic process, it is the right and responsibility of candidates, voters, and concerned citizens to speak out and demand accountability.
By writing a clear, detailed, and evidence-based letter of intent to contest an election, you can take the first step toward ensuring that every vote is counted and that the will of the people is respected.
Whether you are a candidate, a voter, or a member of a watchdog group, your voice, and your actions can make a difference in protecting the integrity of our elections and the health of our democracy.
We hope that these 15 sample letters have provided you with valuable guidance and inspiration as you consider whether and how to contest an election result.
Remember to stay focused on the facts, the evidence, and the principles of fairness, transparency, and equal rights that are the bedrock of our democratic system. With courage, persistence, and a commitment to the truth, you can help to ensure that every election is free, fair, and reflective of the will of the people.