How do governors affect presidential elections?

[JG]

This might be a bit of a dumb question, but what effects do governors have on presidential elections? I often read how one party needs to win swing state's governor houses to boost their chance to win that particular state? I just don't get how, for example, Florida electing Gillum two years before the presidential election will have much effect on how likely it is to vote for the democratic nominee in 2020. Look at Pennsylvania or Nevada in 2016.

[Sir Mohamed]

Voter ID laws or election law in general is a big thing. These laws are state laws and governors enforce (or veto) them.

They have a word to say when it comes to opening times of polling stations. I remember that Rick Scott (R-FL) was criticized in 2012 for wanting some stations close on time despite long waiting lines to suppress Obama voters. He ultimately backed off.

Governors are also required to sign certification of election results. That may be relevant if the election is close. But I don't know whether the governor can refuse to certify results without a valid reason. Most likely not, especially if this goes before court.

[JG]

Voter ID laws or election law in general is a big thing. These laws are state laws and governors enforce (or veto) them.

They have a word to say when it comes to opening times of polling stations. I remember that Rick Scott (R-FL) was criticized in 2012 for wanting some stations close on time despite long waiting lines to suppress Obama voters. He ultimately backed off.

Governors are also required to sign certification of election results. That may be relevant if the election is close. But I don't know whether the governor can refuse to certify results without a valid reason. Most likely not, especially if this goes before court.

Thanks for the answer! I hadn't thought of how governors can affect voters suppression.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

Dems contrary to what SNL thinks, have solidified the blue walk of electing Dem govs in WI and MI and perhaps FL. NV and NH elects GOP govs and MD