General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA question about voter suppression of absentee-ballots and the electoral college.
The latest word is that Trump is going to try to use the courts to declare a winner on election day. That means that states that count absentee ballots on or after election day are going to see a major voter suppression. We also know there are states that lean red, and are guaranteed to vote for Trump. So, lets talk about the combination of red states, plus states that count absentee ballots on or after election day. If his plans for voter suppression work, what combination of states does he need to win the electoral college? What state are in his cross-hairs?
On update, Abnredleg from the Florida group provided this excellent link:
https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/vopp-table-16-when-absentee-mail-ballot-processing-and-counting-can-begin.aspx
Thekaspervote
(34,007 posts)To decide... elections are state run
Baitball Blogger
(47,487 posts)We have to win by a landslide. While Republicans can win by 532 votes.
Statistical
(19,264 posts)Biden picking up 340 EV means refusing to certify in some states isn't enough to flip the election. It isn't fair but Biden needs to win big.
LisaL
(46,140 posts)He thinks he is eligible for the third term. He wants to sign an executive order that Biden can't be president. And so on. He wants to scare people from voting.
Fiendish Thingy
(17,397 posts)What precisely would be the legal grounds to impede a state counting and certifying their votes?
I suppose he could try and get an injunction alleging fraud, but without evidence, doubt he would prevail. Once results were certified, he could try and demand an audit, again alleging fraud, but without evidence, likely wouldnt prevail.
It will be a game of brinkmanship with the governors of each state, and perhaps SCOTUS- uncharted territory, to be sure, but what would the penalty be if a governor/SOS certified results despite a court injunction- contempt of court?
Once the results are certified, the slate of the states electors is Appointed- dont know if the courts have any jurisdiction over that process, not aware of any court interference in appointment of electors in US history. The only deviation from the norm that I am aware of is when a state sends two slates of electors (one appointed by Gov/SOS, the other by legislature), again, without involvement of the courts, who dont appear to have any jurisdiction.
Once electors are appointed, the Constitution states they must vote on Dec. 14, with those votes certified by Congress on Jan. 6.
No doubt Trump, with Barrs help, will attempt to disrupt the process, but it isnt at all certain he could prevail.
2naSalit
(90,893 posts)The new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 4, certification of the electoral votes is two days later.
We need to make sure to flop the Senate.
yellowdogintexas
(22,643 posts)some are based on the closeness of the vote, some require contesting by one of the participants and some are triggered automatically.
Fiendish Thingy
(17,397 posts)And they have to finish the initial count first- thats the process I question that Trump has no legal standing to interfere with (Thats where Bill Barr would likely come in, alleging a crime is in progress, although it is questionable he would have jurisdiction)
yellowdogintexas
(22,643 posts)In my county ballots are scanned so theoretically all that scanning could take place during the day on Election Day. Any review work has already been done. I think the ballots are counted ahead of time so that on Election Day it will show that a person has already voted if they should decide to vote in person. Our Early Voting in person ends at 7 pm on the Friday before Election Day, which gives 3 days to update the voter registry
So, on Election Day, the only mail in ballots which need to be counted are those arriving that day.
Assuming we have the huge turnout we hope for, and should Biden carry Texas, it is pretty much all over but the shouting and any election contesting would be a moot issue. He can't win without Texas, and our mail in votes will have already been counted.