Voter suppresion/"stealing the election" megathread

[Obama-Biden Democrat]

https://twitter.com/drewharwell/status/1329439591892475905

The Republican party is a criminal conspiracy. I am glad that the GA SOS has been able to stand up to the MAGA thugs.

[Progressive Pessimist]

https://twitter.com/drewharwell/status/1329439591892475905

The Republican party is a criminal conspiracy. I am glad that the GA SOS has been able to stand up to the MAGA thugs.

I've been pleasantly surprised by the integrity he has displayed. That concept is anathema to most other Republicans. He is actually a huge step up from Secretary of State Kemp.

[Absentee Voting Ghost of Ruin]

https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1329525481595674625

[Horus]

https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1329525481595674625

Pennsylvania legislators already said they wouldn't do this. I'm most concerned about Michigan here.

[Hammy]

https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1329525481595674625

Anybody who took them at their word when they said they wouldn't do this is a fool.

[Skill and Chance]

https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1329525481595674625

Pennsylvania legislators already said they wouldn't do this. I'm most concerned about Michigan here.

Really the biggest risks would be AZ and GA because there's no Democratic governor to veto, but Raffensperger certifies in Georgia and is clearly not into this and the AZ SOS who certifies is a Dem.  In PA, the Dem governor certifies.  Even if Michigan denies certification, it doesn't work out in the EC. 

[Darthpi – Anti-Florida Activist]

Our entire electoral system is a ticking time bomb waiting to go off.

[WV222]

https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1329525481595674625

Pennsylvania legislators already said they wouldn't do this. I'm most concerned about Michigan here.

Really the biggest risks would be AZ and GA because there's no Democratic governor to veto, but Raffensperger certifies in Georgia and is clearly not into this and the AZ SOS who certifies is a Dem.  In PA, the Dem governor certifies.  Even if Michigan denies certification, it doesn't work out in the EC. 

I do not think the worry should be certifications at the moment. My question for everybody is, for example, if the AZ and GA legislatures would pass a Trump-slate of electors, and if their governors do not object, what that throw those states into Trump's column. I apologize if I sound stupid, but with the MI situation, I was told that even if the state legislature would appoint Trump-electors, Gov. Whitmer could put Biden-electors in the EC and they would take preference.

[Skill and Chance]

https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1329525481595674625

Pennsylvania legislators already said they wouldn't do this. I'm most concerned about Michigan here.

Really the biggest risks would be AZ and GA because there's no Democratic governor to veto, but Raffensperger certifies in Georgia and is clearly not into this and the AZ SOS who certifies is a Dem.  In PA, the Dem governor certifies.  Even if Michigan denies certification, it doesn't work out in the EC. 

I do not think the worry should be certifications at the moment. My question for everybody is, for example, if the AZ and GA legislatures would pass a Trump-slate of electors, and if their governors do not object, what that throw those states into Trump's column. I apologize if I sound stupid, but with the MI situation, I was told that even if the state legislature would appoint Trump-electors, Gov. Whitmer could put Biden-electors in the EC and they would take preference.

If certification happens, there will be Biden electors showing up to the EC meeting for that state, and they would take precedence over any state legislative appointed electors under the Electoral Count Act as they are based on the popular vote in the state.  So worst case scenario is 2 slates of electors if they certify.  There is language about what happens if the election "fails" in the Electoral Count Act that could potentially give more leeway to the legislature if a state never certifies, hence the focus on Michigan. 

[Gass3268]

https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1329525481595674625

Pennsylvania legislators already said they wouldn't do this. I'm most concerned about Michigan here.

Really the biggest risks would be AZ and GA because there's no Democratic governor to veto, but Raffensperger certifies in Georgia and is clearly not into this and the AZ SOS who certifies is a Dem.  In PA, the Dem governor certifies.  Even if Michigan denies certification, it doesn't work out in the EC. 

Not worried about Michigan, Whitmer has the authority to take folks off the election board and replace them (say with a Republican who has endorsed Joe Biden like a former Governor).

[Skill and Chance]

https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1329525481595674625

Pennsylvania legislators already said they wouldn't do this. I'm most concerned about Michigan here.

Really the biggest risks would be AZ and GA because there's no Democratic governor to veto, but Raffensperger certifies in Georgia and is clearly not into this and the AZ SOS who certifies is a Dem.  In PA, the Dem governor certifies.  Even if Michigan denies certification, it doesn't work out in the EC. 

Not worried about Michigan, Whitmer has the authority to take folks off the election board and replace them (say with a Republican who has endorsed Joe Biden like a former Governor).

Michigan is where the backdoor legislative thing is closest to happening though.

[Gass3268]

https://twitter.com/bradheath/status/1329525481595674625

Pennsylvania legislators already said they wouldn't do this. I'm most concerned about Michigan here.

Really the biggest risks would be AZ and GA because there's no Democratic governor to veto, but Raffensperger certifies in Georgia and is clearly not into this and the AZ SOS who certifies is a Dem.  In PA, the Dem governor certifies.  Even if Michigan denies certification, it doesn't work out in the EC.  

Not worried about Michigan, Whitmer has the authority to take folks off the election board and replace them (say with a Republican who has endorsed Joe Biden like a former Governor).

Michigan is where the backdoor legislative thing is closest to happening though.

How? It would violate Michigan law. Also:

https://twitter.com/MillardFillmor1/status/1329628655073497097?s=20

Aka Fred Upton wants to go back to Congress:

https://twitter.com/mkraju/status/1329551995208933381?s=20

[Roll Roons]

https://twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1329629701447573504

[ProgressiveModerate]

https://twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1329629701447573504

Thank you Romney for being a sane person!

[BudgieForce]

Perhaps a turning point.

[WV222]

Perhaps a turning point.

I don't think Mitt Romney put out a statement will turn anybody's opinion is general. I mean, heck, Tucker Carlson criticized Sidney Powell over evidence of her claims tonight, and the right-wing is turning on him. So, Mitt Romney, the only GOP senator who voted to convict Trump will not turn the GOP against Trump. 

[compucomp]

https://twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1329629701447573504

Thank you Romney for being a sane person!

Indeed. Romney has proven that he is an honorable Republican.

It actually could be important that Romney made this statement in the situation where MI/WI/PA submit competing slates of electors. When the electoral votes are counted on Jan. 6, if both the House and Senate can agree on which electors are valid, then those are counted. Dems have 48 Senators in the next Senate. Romney is 49. I'm not sure how the Georgia seats work in this calculation with the runoff elections happening the previous day, let's assume Loeffler is still sitting and Purdue's seat is vacant. Then Dems need just one more senator, probably Collins or Murkowski (Edit: maybe Sasse?), to side with them, and this would basically guarantee that the "state legislature coup" would fail.

[ProgressiveModerate]

So funny how fast Mitt Romney went from being the GOP to being an outcast in his party. It's kind of sad TBH, at least in my view, to see the GOP turn against so many of it's own values so fast. Could you guys imagine Barack Obama becoming an outcast in the Democratic Party in 2024? It would be crazy. But hey, that's politics for you.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

So FYI the Michigan Legislature does not go into session again until December 1, and only the Governor can call a special session. By then there will be the slate of Biden electors certified. Michigan law clearly does not allow the Legislature to unilaterally appoint their own electors and the Legislature has no role in certification of the results. The Michigan Supreme Court (nominally 4-3 conservative but one of those is basically a Snyder-appointed RINO who was even endorsed by the teachers' union with the liberals in her last election, and another is pretty moderate and broke with the other RINO to uphold the redistricting commission 4-3 back when the court was nominally 5-2) is not going to uphold any theft by Trump or ignoring state law here.

Also the Pennsylvania Legislature's last day in session is tomorrow and then they adjourn for the rest of the year. The law does state that the majority of members can "petition" the Governor for a special session but is kind of vague after that, presumably Wolf could at least delay it until after the EC votes. The PA Supreme Court is on his side after all.

[Gass3268]

Ben Sasse has been vocal too:

https://twitter.com/politico/status/1329629311045873664?s=20

There are at least 4 Senators right now that would probably side with Biden.

[ProgressiveModerate]

https://twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1329629701447573504

Thank you Romney for being a sane person!

Indeed. Romney has proven that he is an honorable Republican.

It actually could be important that Romney made this statement in the situation where MI/WI/PA submit competing slates of electors. When the electoral votes are counted on Jan. 6, if both the House and Senate can agree on which electors are valid, then those are counted. Dems have 48 Senators in the next Senate. Romney is 49. I'm not sure how the Georgia seats work in this calculation with the runoff elections happening the previous day, let's assume Loeffler is still sitting and Purdue's seat is vacant. Then Dems need just one more senator, probably Collins or Murkowski, to side with them, and this would basically guarantee that the "state legislature coup" would fail.

I think there's a small chance Collins is salty after Democrats spent so much money against her, but I have a hard time seeing Lisa Murkowski not voting with the Democrats in this case, especially if American Democracy is at stake.

[Skill and Chance]

https://twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1329629701447573504

Thank you Romney for being a sane person!

Indeed. Romney has proven that he is an honorable Republican.

It actually could be important that Romney made this statement in the situation where MI/WI/PA submit competing slates of electors. When the electoral votes are counted on Jan. 6, if both the House and Senate can agree on which electors are valid, then those are counted. Dems have 48 Senators in the next Senate. Romney is 49. I'm not sure how the Georgia seats work in this calculation with the runoff elections happening the previous day, let's assume Loeffler is still sitting and Purdue's seat is vacant. Then Dems need just one more senator, probably Collins or Murkowski, to side with them, and this would basically guarantee that the "state legislature coup" would fail.

I think there's a small chance Collins is salty after Democrats spent so much money against her, but I have a hard time seeing Lisa Murkowski not voting with the Democrats in this case, especially if American Democracy is at stake.

In the best Dem case for the GA runoffs, Romney is enough by himself, even split and Romney and Sasse are enough, worst case (double loss with immediate seating) they need one more vote, probably Murkowsi.

[BudgieForce]

https://twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1329629701447573504

Thank you Romney for being a sane person!

Indeed. Romney has proven that he is an honorable Republican.

It actually could be important that Romney made this statement in the situation where MI/WI/PA submit competing slates of electors. When the electoral votes are counted on Jan. 6, if both the House and Senate can agree on which electors are valid, then those are counted. Dems have 48 Senators in the next Senate. Romney is 49. I'm not sure how the Georgia seats work in this calculation with the runoff elections happening the previous day, let's assume Loeffler is still sitting and Purdue's seat is vacant. Then Dems need just one more senator, probably Collins or Murkowski, to side with them, and this would basically guarantee that the "state legislature coup" would fail.

I think there's a small chance Collins is salty after Democrats spent so much money against her, but I have a hard time seeing Lisa Murkowski not voting with the Democrats in this case, especially if American Democracy is at stake.

Collins might be salty, but she knows she won because Maine Democrats voted for both her and Biden. I've also been under the impression that Biden and Collins have some mutual respect for one another. Not only did Biden and Collins serve in the Senate together for over a decade but Biden also never actively campaigned against her.

Probably more importantly, Collins will be one of the most influential and powerful senators in a Biden presidency. She's probably very happy going back to being the moderate New England swing voter like during the Obama years. I'd even wager there's a good chance Collins herself voted for Biden, although she probably voted third party.

[ProgressiveModerate]

https://twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1329629701447573504

Thank you Romney for being a sane person!

Indeed. Romney has proven that he is an honorable Republican.

It actually could be important that Romney made this statement in the situation where MI/WI/PA submit competing slates of electors. When the electoral votes are counted on Jan. 6, if both the House and Senate can agree on which electors are valid, then those are counted. Dems have 48 Senators in the next Senate. Romney is 49. I'm not sure how the Georgia seats work in this calculation with the runoff elections happening the previous day, let's assume Loeffler is still sitting and Purdue's seat is vacant. Then Dems need just one more senator, probably Collins or Murkowski, to side with them, and this would basically guarantee that the "state legislature coup" would fail.

I think there's a small chance Collins is salty after Democrats spent so much money against her, but I have a hard time seeing Lisa Murkowski not voting with the Democrats in this case, especially if American Democracy is at stake.

Collins might be salty, but she knows she won because Maine Democrats voted for both her and Biden. I've also been under the impression that Biden and Collins have some mutual respect for one another. Not only did Biden and Collins serve in the Senate together for over a decade but Biden also never actively campaigned against her.

Probably more importantly, Collins will be one of the most influential and powerful senators in a Biden presidency. She's probably very happy going back to being the moderate New England swing voter like during the Obama years. I'd even wager there's a good chance Collins herself voted for Biden.

That's probably true; I think it'll be quite interesting to see how she behaves under a Biden administration. My guess is that she'll generally be respectful towards Biden, but goes against congressional Ds a lot. She could very well end up being the "tipping point" senator, which would make her very powerful.

[compucomp]

https://twitter.com/MittRomney/status/1329629701447573504

Thank you Romney for being a sane person!

Indeed. Romney has proven that he is an honorable Republican.

It actually could be important that Romney made this statement in the situation where MI/WI/PA submit competing slates of electors. When the electoral votes are counted on Jan. 6, if both the House and Senate can agree on which electors are valid, then those are counted. Dems have 48 Senators in the next Senate. Romney is 49. I'm not sure how the Georgia seats work in this calculation with the runoff elections happening the previous day, let's assume Loeffler is still sitting and Purdue's seat is vacant. Then Dems need just one more senator, probably Collins or Murkowski, to side with them, and this would basically guarantee that the "state legislature coup" would fail.

I think there's a small chance Collins is salty after Democrats spent so much money against her, but I have a hard time seeing Lisa Murkowski not voting with the Democrats in this case, especially if American Democracy is at stake.

In the best Dem case for the GA runoffs, Romney is enough by himself, even split and Romney and Sasse are enough, worst case (double loss with immediate seating) they need one more vote, probably Murkowsi.

The runoff election happens the day before the electoral vote counting though. So there's no way the result would be certified in time. Based on the fact that Perdue's term expired with the start of the new Congress and that Loeffler's term is still active, I guessed that Loeffler would have a seat and Perdue's seat would be vacant, but maybe Brian Kemp would appoint Perdue or some Republican placeholder to fill the vacancy until the runoff is certified. In that case the Dems would need two additional R defectors, two of Sasse, Collins, and Murkowski probably.