We’re bridging divides to ensure peace for all Georgians. Supported by The Carter Center, the Georgia Democracy Resilience Network (DRN) welcomes participants from across the political spectrum, from every corner of the state, and from every walk of life.

The Georgia DRN is for dedicated leaders and community members who want to improve the quality of our democracy and who agree with our three principles.

What We Stand For

The Georgia DRN welcomes dedicated leaders and community members who want to improve the quality of our democracy and who agree with our three commonsense principles:

 

  1. Committing to truth in our politics
  2. Engaging peacefully with our fellow Americans
  3. Supporting our electoral democracy

 

Voters and organizations can participate in the network, telling candidates to lead by example to help restore trust in elections. Network members will promote peaceful resolution of disputes and differences through constructive engagement, share proactive messaging that promotes accurate information about our elections, and counter acts of intimidation through dialogue, conflict-sensitive communication, and rapid response planning.

Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections

Georgia DRN members will help mobilize support for the Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections. Launched in 2022, the nationwide, cross-partisan initiative asks citizens, organizations, and public officials to uphold five core principles of democratic elections. The Candidate Principles are:

  1. Integrity
  2. Nonviolence
  3. Security
  4. Oversight
  5. Peaceful transfer of power

As the 2024 Election approaches, our aim is to push back on partisanship by getting citizens in every state to support these principles. More than 100 leaders from across Georgia’s political spectrum are collaborating with the Georgia DRN to support these principles.

State of Georgia Senior Advisors

Don Balfour

Donald Balfour

Republican
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Donald Balfour served in the Georgia Senate for 22 years. A resident of Snellville and an executive with Waffle House, Inc., Balfour was elected to the State Senate in 1992. In 2002, after Republicans took control of the Georgia Senate, he was elected chairman of the Republican caucus. In 2003, he became chairman of the Senate's Rules Committee, a position he held until January 2013.

He served as President of the National Conference of State Legislatures from 2009 to 2010. Senator Balfour is a graduate of Bob Jones University with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Fairleigh Dickson University with a Master’s of Business Administration.

“This work is important because people need to know that the election was run fairly. The Democracy Resilience Network brings the left and the right together to reduce the tensions on both sides, which helps to keep Georgia peaceful.” – Don Balfour, Georgia DRN Senior Advisor.

Rashad Richey

Dr. Rashad Richey

Democrat
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Dr. Rashad Richey is an Emmy-nominated political analyst for CBS News Atlanta, university professor, and president of Rolling Out Magazine, the largest free-print urban publication in America. Dr. Richey is also host of the award-winning Rashad Richey Morning Show in Atlanta, GA where he was voted ‘Best Talk Radio Personality in Atlanta’ by readers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, ‘Best Talk Radio Host’ by Atlanta Magazine and ‘Most Trusted Voice in Atlanta’ by the Atlanta Business Journal. A social and policy advocate at heart, Dr. Richey is the daily television news anchor for ‘Indisputable With Dr. Rashad Richey’ on the TYT Network where he tackles tough issues facing everyday Americans. Beyond broadcasting, Dr. Richey serves on the board of directors for Piedmont Atlanta Hospital and Children’s Rights, and is the founder of The Rashad Richey Foundation, an organization dedicated to serving historically marginalized youth. He is a proud member of the Atlanta NAACP, National Association of University Professors, National Association of Black Journalists, Black Law Student Association, National Black MBA Association, and Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity.

"Collaboration and unity are conducive to a well-functioning democratic system. This is the best way to sustain gains in our society. By encouraging constructive debates, consensus-building, and the enactment of policies that address the needs of the entire population, we live up to our greatest hopes.” – Dr.Rashad Richey, Georgia DRN Senior Advisor