U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his unfounded attacks on mail-in voting on Thursday, suggesting the result of the 2020 presidential race could never be accurately determined in a Twitter post that would undermine any winner, including him.
Trump, lagging his Democratic challenger Joe Biden in public opinion polls, has continued to make unsubstantiated attacks on voting by mail as vulnerable to fraud as state officials embrace it as an alternative to in-person balloting during the coronavirus pandemic.
Election experts who have studied decades of U.S. elections say fraud is rare.
“Because of the new and unprecedented massive amount of unsolicited ballots which will be sent to ‘voters,’ or wherever, this year, the Nov 3rd Election result may NEVER BE ACCURATELY DETERMINED, which is what some want. Another election disaster yesterday. Stop Ballot Madness!” Trump said in a tweet.
Sixteen states require an excuse to vote absentee, such as illness or travel. The other 34 states allow any registered voter to request a mail ballot.
Trump has claimed, without evidence, that the latter system is prone to fraud although Americans have long voted by mail.
One in four ballots in 2016 were cast by mail.
The Nov. 3 election promises to be the nation’s largest test of voting by mail, and the two major parties are locked in numerous lawsuits that will shape how millions of Americans exercise their right to vote.
The Biden campaign responded with a statement it put out after a Trump attack on mail-in voting in July.
“The American people will decide this election. And the United States government is perfectly capable of escorting trespassers out of the White House,” spokesman Andrew Bates said in the statement.
Democratic voters, meanwhile, are embracing mail-in ballots at rates well ahead of their Republican counterparts, according to data from recent state and local elections.
The trend has alarmed Republicans, more than two dozen Republican officials from six politically competitive states told Reuters last month. They worry Democrats will bank significantly more mail-in votes by November, a deficit that may be tough to overcome if the pandemic depresses turnout on Election Day.
In Pennsylvania, a state Trump narrowly won in 2016 and that is considered important to his reelection effort, the Trump campaign sought to ban drop boxes and other changes to mail-balloting procedures.
A federal judge issued a stay on that lawsuit in August, pending action on similar lawsuits in state courts.
The Trump campaign has also filed lawsuits in Nevada, New Jersey and Montana over mail-in voting issues since August.
Latest Stories
-
Expansion Drive: Takoradi Technical University increases faculties
3 hours -
SHS heads demand payment of outstanding funds before reopening of schools
3 hours -
We thank God for the 2024 general elections – Akufo-Addo
3 hours -
Coconut Grove Beach Resort marks 30 years of excellence with memorable 9 lessons & carols service
4 hours -
WAFU B U-17 Girls’ Cup: Black Maidens beat Nigeria on penalties to win inaugral tournament
4 hours -
Real Madrid beat Sevilla to keep pressure on leaders Atletico
5 hours -
Liverpool put six past Spurs to go four points clear
5 hours -
Manchester United lose 3-0 at home to Bournemouth yet again
5 hours -
CHAN 2024Q: ‘It’s still an open game’ – Didi on Ghana’s draw with Nigeria
6 hours -
CHAN 2024Q: Ghana’s Black Galaxies held by Nigeria in first-leg tie
7 hours -
Dr Nduom hopeful defunct GN bank will be restored under Mahama administration
7 hours -
Bridget Bonnie celebrates NDC Victory, champions hope for women and youth
7 hours -
Shamima Muslim urges youth to lead Ghana’s renewal at 18Plus4NDC anniversary
8 hours -
Akufo-Addo condemns post-election violence, blames NDC
8 hours -
DAMC, Free Food Company, to distribute 10,000 packs of food to street kids
10 hours