Extended Voting And Ensuring Election Integrity

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In recent years, the integrity of American elections has faced significant scrutiny, particularly surrounding the practice known as the "Long Count." This term refers to the extended period of vote counting that continues well past Election Day, often in key Democratic strongholds, raising concerns about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.

The 2020 Presidential election and the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial race highlighted the contentious nature of the Long Count. Both elections saw votes being counted days or even weeks after Election Day, leading to significant shifts in reported outcomes. Critics argue that this practice undermines public trust in the electoral system by creating opportunities for manipulation and fraud​.

A significant factor contributing to the Long Count is the widespread use of mail-in voting, which surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proponents claim that mail-in voting increases accessibility, particularly for marginalized communities. However, this method has also been criticized for its potential to facilitate fraud through practices like ballot harvesting and the acceptance of undated or improperly dated ballots​.

The legal framework surrounding mail-in voting and ballot counting has been hotly contested. For instance, a recent federal court ruling in Pennsylvania mandated the counting of undated and misdated mail-in ballots, overturning previous safeguards designed to prevent fraud. This decision has fueled further debate over the balance between voter accessibility and election security​.

Historical instances of the Long Count illustrate its potential to alter election outcomes. In the 2004 Washington gubernatorial race, a Republican lead on Election Night was overturned weeks later after multiple recounts and the discovery of additional ballots. Similar scenarios played out in the 2008 Minnesota Senate race and the 2018 California congressional races, where initial leads were reversed following prolonged counting periods​​.

The Supreme Court has addressed issues related to extended vote counting in the past. In the 1997 case Foster v. Love, the Court ruled that elections undecided by midnight on Election Day are void under federal law. This precedent suggests that prolonged counting practices could be challenged legally, offering a potential pathway to curb the Long Count​ ​.

The prolonged counting of votes not only raises legal and procedural concerns but also impacts voter confidence. Low turnout rates in states like California, despite efforts to increase participation through mail-in voting, reflect a broader disillusionment with the electoral process. The perception of chaotic and endless vote counting can discourage voter engagement and trust in the system.

As the 2024 elections approach, addressing the challenges posed by the Long Count is crucial for maintaining the integrity of American democracy. Legal reforms, stringent safeguards for mail-in ballots, and a commitment to timely vote counting are essential steps to restore public confidence in the electoral process. Ensuring that every legitimate vote is counted promptly and transparently will help safeguard the foundational principle of self-government.

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6 COMMENTS

  1. LISTEN UP….Counting Ballots/Votes past Election Day should be Illegal along with Non Citizens Voting..Trashed Votes..Dead People Voting..People who have Moved..Switching Votes etc etc etc The U.S. needs Election and Immigration Reform ASAP. From SamuraiQueen aka CHIAKIA. 😄😄😄😇😇😇😉😉😉

  2. But, but, but the dems need all of these votes! The democratic party no longer has a code of ethics, moral compass or sense of integrity. Cheating is the only way they can win.

  4. It’s a symptom of “dark money,” Elite Money, Arabella Money, ZuckerBucks Money, Silicon Valley Money, and the list is “mind blowing” to say the least. There’s even a web sight for some 1,400-odd far left entities, funded by “who knows where their funds originated?” Just in 2022 Arizona’s Election two Republicans One a Board Supervisor leader, another an Elections Director (both Republicans) formed, in 2021, a 501(c)3 NGO AIMED AT THWARTING ALL MAGA VOTERS IN ARIZONA…by any means (or ways) possible. These (and other now joining these two) have expanded their hate strewn diatribe (and political platform) far and wide across Arizona, folks. So, it’s not only Democratic Party it’s the “Muddled Class.” An amalgam of left, right and center politicos. Pray. Amen. God Bless America. Read A Bible. KJV. Psalm 128. 10 Commandments everywhere. Pray.

  5. So if the mail in ballots are an issue because of fraud etc. legitimize them with notarized signatures. If the signatures are not notarized they are not counted which eliminate dead people sending in ballots and work with social security to notify the state attorney general when deaths are reported once a month they send that report so that voting data bases are purged by the March 20 and October 20. Which is prior to major elections. That way deceased voters are no longer listed as being alive. Passing a law the only citizens of the United States naturalized or natural born can vote in all states. Making it a Federal law that all US States will follow and abide by.

  6. There must be consequences for their illegal acts of allowing more than 11 million illegal immigrants into the United States of America and releasing them into the interior! That and the monthly flights of Cubans, Haitians, Venezuelans and Nicaraguan on top of the 330,000 already flown in!
    This blatantly obviously pandering method to get votes by registering illegal’s during processing and telling them they can vote, letting them openly vote in our elections without recourse and counting them will be the real life and death elections.
    Like giving them social security style benefits at taxpayer expenses, rent housing, utilities, food and medical and dental. Educational benefits their children attend schools at taxpayers expense adding to the burden on the local economy!
    We must true the vote!
    Only viable government issued identification with both name and basics and a photograph will count, as long as the record matches!
    Mailed in votes accompanied by a copyright photographic government issued identification will be counted!
    All others Will not be counted as legal votes! Make it an incentive to get government issued identification saying you are a citizen or a visitor!
    True the vote within the next five months!!!

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