Election Chaos in Georgia Highlights Voting Needs in November

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FRED WERTHEIMER’S WEEKLY NOTE | June 11, 2020freadshot

“We are not going to let Trump take our democracy and our constitutional system of representative government away from us. “

The chaotic primary election in Georgia on Tuesday gave us the latest real life example of what we may be facing throughout the country on November 3 if state and local election officials do not get the federal funding they need to conduct safe, secure, and fair elections.

In Georgia’s primary, minority areas faced inexcusable delays and extra-long lines. There were not enough polling precincts open. There were problems with voting by mail.

Georgia’s horrendous experience shows why it is essential for Congress to provide the multi-billion dollar funding state and local election officials need to administer massive increases in vote-by-mail and to create safe in-person voting opportunities, resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. The Postal Service also needs major funding to avoid going bankrupt in the fall.

We know Trump, in his lawless ways, will do everything he can to disrupt the November elections. He has repeatedly attacked voting by mail with blatantly false claims that it results in widespread fraud and cheating. He also could try to block the federal funding desperately needed by states and local jurisdictions and by the Postal Service.

It appears that, after stonewalling, Senate Republicans may be moving toward support for funding for the states when negotiations take place over the next relief bill. This bill is not likely to pass until the end of July. However, President Trump could try to block the state funding and the $25 billion needed for the Post Office, which Trump is constantly attacking. It will be up to congressional Democrats to hold firm if Trump tries to do that.

Meanwhile, former Vice President Biden said yesterday, “This president is going to try to steal this election.” He further said that making sure a fair voting process occurs is “my greatest concern. My single greatest concern.”

We and many others will do all that is necessary to prevent Trump from stealing or delegitimizing the presidential election. To put it simply, we are not going to let Trump take our democracy and our constitutional system of representative government away from us. 

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