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BumRushDaShow

(142,250 posts)
Fri Oct 18, 2024, 08:51 AM Oct 18

US states warn officials: Delaying, tampering with vote could bring criminal charges

Source: Reuters

October 18, 2024 6:12 AM EDT Updated 3 hours ago


Oct 18 (Reuters) - Some U.S. states are sending strong signals to county and local officials who might be tempted to intervene illegally in the Nov. 5 election or refuse to certify results: Fail to do your duty and risk criminal charges or hefty financial penalties.

In at least five of the seven battleground states that could determine whether the next U.S. president is Democrat Kamala Harris or Republican Donald Trump, top election and law enforcement officials have investigated, indicted and even jailed officials who tried to interfere with the vote or delay certification of results, a necessary but largely ceremonial step. County officials have also been warned that failing to certify results on time could force their local governments to foot the bill for unnecessary audits or recounts.

The increased oversight of local election officials is aimed at preventing unfounded claims of fraud from slowing the certification of election results, which in turn could interfere with Congress's certification of the presidential election results in a highly-charged partisan atmosphere. Four years after Trump tried to overturn his 2020 defeat, officials in swing states Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, as well as in solidly Democratic Colorado, said they have become far more adept at handling those who overstep their authority.

With Trump still repeating false claims that the 2020 election was stolen and that he will lose in November only through fraud, ensuring the election process goes smoothly in each state is critical. States that fail to certify results by certain deadlines could be left out of the state-by-state Electoral College process that formally determines the winners of U.S. presidential elections. "The law is clear and we won't tolerate anyone not following it for any reason," Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said in an interview. "There are times and places for challenging election results. The certification process is not one of them."

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-states-warn-officials-delaying-tampering-with-vote-could-bring-criminal-2024-10-18/

12 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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US states warn officials: Delaying, tampering with vote could bring criminal charges (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Oct 18 OP
Wish one word would be changed. bluestarone Oct 18 #1
They probably need to leave a loophole... forgotmylogin Oct 18 #10
"We know what you're up to" C_U_L8R Oct 18 #2
It's like lately, I can't get enough of hearing slightlv Oct 18 #11
I guess the doj offices must be closed for some reason. Think. Again. Oct 18 #3
Bring it Bernardo de La Paz Oct 18 #4
Good! Our elections are fair. AllyCat Oct 18 #5
Not just that, but disenfranchising whole groups of people... slightlv Oct 18 #12
Could ?, what the hell is wrong with "will". Jeez republianmushroom Oct 18 #6
About time! Stargazer99 Oct 18 #7
P. S. - Check your calendar. Mr.Bill Oct 18 #8
Or as I have been screaming BaronChocula Oct 18 #9

forgotmylogin

(7,676 posts)
10. They probably need to leave a loophole...
Fri Oct 18, 2024, 01:38 PM
Oct 18

I get what you're saying, but there could be a legitimate reason to delay...like if a hurricane sweeps through on Election Day and half of a state cannot vote. Hopefully there are backup procedures for this in place and it wouldn't get to one person delaying in an instance like that, but they're basically saying they "can" prosecute if someone decides to create an unnecessary bottleneck just because they "don't wanna" certify.

C_U_L8R

(45,690 posts)
2. "We know what you're up to"
Fri Oct 18, 2024, 09:00 AM
Oct 18

These magat numbskulls may need a more explicit deterrent.
They're a bit slow understanding the difference of right and wrong
and the consequences of fucking with the USA.

slightlv

(4,325 posts)
11. It's like lately, I can't get enough of hearing
Fri Oct 18, 2024, 02:44 PM
Oct 18

Red Ryder's "Lunatic Fringe"... man, describes these magats so well!!!!!

AllyCat

(17,102 posts)
5. Good! Our elections are fair.
Fri Oct 18, 2024, 09:08 AM
Oct 18

What isn’t fair is these fascists tampering with the results they don’t like.

slightlv

(4,325 posts)
12. Not just that, but disenfranchising whole groups of people...
Fri Oct 18, 2024, 02:46 PM
Oct 18

including the disabled in some states. Where the frack is Garland? Would this be THE MOST IMPORTANT "Event" for his jurisprudence? I'm really sick and tired of him, and I know he has a lot of fans here. But he's hurt us above nearly all others, except those who are evil, themselves. Being a Republican, I guess he can't help it. But I'd really like to see some accounting for his delay, delay, delay... turn your head and look away world view.

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