shareblue--2020-11-03--Here's everything you need to know for Election Day

The 2020 election has already been fraught with chaos , angry back and forth over ballot deadlines , baseless allegations of fraud , and warring within the parties .
Donald Trump has fueled much of that turmoil , tweeting false claims about the legitimacy of early mail-in voting and suggesting his opponents were trying to undermine Republicans by allowing people to cast a ballot safely .
While a record number of Americans have already voted in this year 's election — more than 96 million according to the United States Elections Project — many are still planning to cast a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And for those who voted by mail or used a drop-box , being able to track that ballot to ensure their vote is counted is crucial .
Misinformation has so far been rampant and there 's been plenty of confusion to go around .
Here 's what you should know for Tuesday 's election , to clear away some of the fog .
What time do the polls close in my state ?
In most states , polls open at 7 a.m. , with a few exceptions .
Arizona , Connecticut , Illinois @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maine , Missouri , New Jersey , New York , and Virginia all open at 6 a.m. local time .
Idaho polling places open at 8 a.m. local time .
Vermont is a rare exception : Polls there open as early as 5 a.m. , giving voters extra time to cast a ballot in person on Election Day .
Voters who do n't have time to get to the polls until the evening should be advised that while most state polling locations close at 7 p.m. , a handful close later at 8 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , close earlier in the evening , starting at 6 p.m .
There are a few states that close later in the evening .
Iowa and New York , for example , close at 9 p.m. local time .
And a few states are more complicated when it comes to scheduling : Kansas , for example , allows individual counties to close after 7 p.m. Nebraska , which spans two time zones , opens polls at 8 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. in the Central Time zone , the eastern part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of the state , in the Mountain Time zone , open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. New Hampshire poll times vary based on municipality , though they must open prior to 11 a.m. and close no earlier than 7 p.m. , according to Ballotpedia .
Poll hours in North Dakota vary .
Be sure to check the secretary of state 's website to look up your exact polling location hours if you live there , though most open between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. , and close between 7 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more complicated , allowing counties to set poll hours themselves .
Check the secretary of state 's website to see when your polling location is open .
For exact polling hours in your state , check the National Association of Secretaries of State website or Ballotpedia .
You can also use the color-coded map provided by Daily Kos Elections .
How do I find my polling place ?
The nonpartisan Vote.org has an easy-to-use locator to find polling places across the country .
Just enter your home address and it will provide you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vote and when .
It also includes a list of official state sites , where you can find similar information .
Where can I track my ballot if I voted early ?
Go the American Independent 's guide for a state-by-state rundown of how to track whether your mail-in ballot has been successfully received and/or processed by your local elections officials .
State websites will require your full name , date of birth , and possibly some additional information .
In most states , the deadline for mail-in ballots to be received is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ slightly later deadlines .
If your ballot has not arrived , check out ProPublica 's guide for information about how to cast a provisional ballot in person .
Who do I contact if I have trouble voting ?
First , check your state law requirements to figure out if you need an ID to cast a ballot , and if so , what kind of ID you 'll need to take .
According to vote.org , you ’ ll want to bring your phone as well in case you have any difficulty voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ encounter .
If you are given any misinformation while voting , or if you experience any intimidation , threats , harassment , or coercion , call and report the incident right away to the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683 .
( For Spanish speakers , call 1-888-839-8682 . )
If a poll worker tells you that you ’ re not on the voter roll , first make sure you are registered to vote and check whether you are at the correct polling place .
If you verify both of these and are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call Election Protection and ask for help .
Whatever you do , know your rights and stay in line .
If the polls close and you are in line , you are still entitled to vote .
If you have technical difficulties with the voting machines , ask for a paper ballot , and , if you make an error on your ballot , ask for a new one .
How long will it take to know the results of the election ?
Some years , an election winner is readily apparent .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything looks a little different in 2020 .
According to the Washington Post , this is the first election in the nation ’ s history to have the majority of Americans vote by mail .
So waiting on pandemic-related mail-in voting results could delay the final count this year by up to several weeks .
The New York Times reports that 22 states as well as the District of Columbia allow for mail-in ballots to be counted if they arrive after the election , as long as they were properly postmarked before Nov. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expert Charles Stewart III told the Times that comparatively , more Republicans are voting in person this year and more Democrats by mail .
So state results may not be immediately clear , as counts might initially appear to favor Trump before all the mail-in votes arrive .
According to a Vox report , of six key swing states in the presidential election , three — Florida , Arizona , and North Carolina — will likely announce results quickly , while Pennsylvania , Wisconsin , and Michigan , whose ballot-counting processes are more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After all mail-in votes are counted , states are expected to appoint their electors by Dec. 8 , with Congress certifying the election results on Jan. 6 , 2021 .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

The 2020 election has already been fraught with chaos, angry back and forth over ballot deadlines, baseless allegations of fraud, and warring within the parties. Donald Trump has fueled much of that turmoil, tweeting false claims about the legitimacy of early mail-in voting and suggesting his opponents were trying to undermine Republicans by allowing people to cast a ballot safely.
While a record number of Americans have already voted in this year’s election — more than 96 million according to the United States Elections Project — many are still planning to cast a ballot in person on Election Day. And for those who voted by mail or used a drop-box, being able to track that ballot to ensure their vote is counted is crucial.
Misinformation has so far been rampant and there’s been plenty of confusion to go around. Here’s what you should know for Tuesday’s election, to clear away some of the fog.
What time do the polls close in my state?
In most states, polls open at 7 a.m., with a few exceptions. Arizona, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia all open at 6 a.m. local time. Idaho polling places open at 8 a.m. local time.
Vermont is a rare exception: Polls there open as early as 5 a.m., giving voters extra time to cast a ballot in person on Election Day.
Voters who don’t have time to get to the polls until the evening should be advised that while most state polling locations close at 7 p.m., a handful close later at 8 p.m. Others, like Indiana and Kentucky, close earlier in the evening, starting at 6 p.m.
There are a few states that close later in the evening. Iowa and New York, for example, close at 9 p.m. local time.
And a few states are more complicated when it comes to scheduling: Kansas, for example, allows individual counties to close after 7 p.m.
Nebraska, which spans two time zones, opens polls at 8 a.m. and closes at 8 p.m. in the Central Time zone, the eastern part of the state. Polls in the western end of the state, in the Mountain Time zone, open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m.
New Hampshire poll times vary based on municipality, though they must open prior to 11 a.m. and close no earlier than 7 p.m., according to Ballotpedia.
Poll hours in North Dakota vary. Be sure to check the secretary of state’s website to look up your exact polling location hours if you live there, though most open between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., and close between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Tennessee is also more complicated, allowing counties to set poll hours themselves. Check the secretary of state’s website to see when your polling location is open.
For exact polling hours in your state, check the National Association of Secretaries of State website or Ballotpedia. You can also use the color-coded map provided by Daily Kos Elections.
[media-credit name=”Daily Kos Elections” link=”https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2020/10/28/1988730/-Daily-Kos-Elections-Nov-3-2020-poll-closing-times-map” align=”none” width=”500″] [/media-credit]
How do I find my polling place?
The nonpartisan Vote.org has an easy-to-use locator to find polling places across the country. Just enter your home address and it will provide you with the address of where you can vote and when.
It also includes a list of official state sites, where you can find similar information.
Where can I track my ballot if I voted early?
Go the American Independent’s guide for a state-by-state rundown of how to track whether your mail-in ballot has been successfully received and/or processed by your local elections officials.
State websites will require your full name, date of birth, and possibly some additional information. In most states, the deadline for mail-in ballots to be received is Nov. 3, though some states have slightly later deadlines.
If your ballot has not arrived, check out ProPublica’s guide for information about how to cast a provisional ballot in person.
Who do I contact if I have trouble voting?
First, check your state law requirements to figure out if you need an ID to cast a ballot, and if so, what kind of ID you’ll need to take.
According to vote.org, you’ll want to bring your phone as well in case you have any difficulty voting or need to document any obstacles you encounter.
If you are given any misinformation while voting, or if you experience any intimidation, threats, harassment, or coercion, call and report the incident right away to the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at 866-687-8683. (For Spanish speakers, call 1-888-839-8682.)
If a poll worker tells you that you’re not on the voter roll, first make sure you are registered to vote and check whether you are at the correct polling place. If you verify both of these and are still told you cannot vote, call Election Protection and ask for help.
Whatever you do, know your rights and stay in line. If the polls close and you are in line, you are still entitled to vote. If you have technical difficulties with the voting machines, ask for a paper ballot, and, if you make an error on your ballot, ask for a new one.
How long will it take to know the results of the election?
Some years, an election winner is readily apparent. But with a pandemic in play, everything looks a little different in 2020.
According to the Washington Post, this is the first election in the nation’s history to have the majority of Americans vote by mail. So waiting on pandemic-related mail-in voting results could delay the final count this year by up to several weeks.
The New York Times reports that 22 states as well as the District of Columbia allow for mail-in ballots to be counted if they arrive after the election, as long as they were properly postmarked before Nov. 3.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology elections expert Charles Stewart III told the Times that comparatively, more Republicans are voting in person this year and more Democrats by mail. So state results may not be immediately clear, as counts might initially appear to favor Trump before all the mail-in votes arrive.
According to a Vox report, of six key swing states in the presidential election, three — Florida, Arizona, and North Carolina — will likely announce results quickly, while Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan, whose ballot-counting processes are more cumbersome, will probably take longer.
After all mail-in votes are counted, states are expected to appoint their electors by Dec. 8, with Congress certifying the election results on Jan. 6, 2021.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-11-05--Cartoon: Counting hissy fits

Cartoon: Counting hissy fits

Clay Jones is a nationally syndicated political cartoonist .
He has worked for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and The Free Lance-Star @ @ @ @ @ draws a weekly cartoon for CNN Opinion .
He lives in the Washington suburbs of @ @ @

A decade after Sandy Hook, grief remains but hope grows
December, the anniversary of the worst grade school mass shooting in the U.S. is a difficult month for many in Newton. But in the face of heartbreak and grief, some survivors and families of victims feel hope for a brighter future.
By Associated Press - December 22, 2022


shareblue--2020-11-04--Family leave, a living wage, and marriage equality: Progressives score major wins

Voters across the country approved progressive policies on Tuesday , moving the country to the left even when Democratic candidates in their states came up short in their races .
A look at ballot measures across the country shows voters moved their states to the left on their own , going around state legislatures that have blocked progress on everything from drug laws to workers ' rights .
Here 's a look at ballot initiatives that passed after votes were tallied on Tuesday .
Four states legalized marijuana for either recreational or medicinal use .
Voters in New Jersey and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in South Dakota and Mississippi , two Republican strongholds , voted to legalize the drug for medicinal use .
The voting results include them as part of a trend of states approving marijuana for medicinal or recreational use , or decriminalizing the use of the drug .
Voters in Florida voted to raise the minimum wage to $ 15 an hour — something Democrats have pushed for but Republicans have blocked .
Currently , Florida 's minimum wage stands at $ 8.56 an hour .
The ballot measure will raise the minimum wage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then will incrementally add $ 1 every year until it is $ 15 in 2026 .
Florida voters also rejected a GOP ballot measure that would have made it harder to pass ballot initiatives .
The measure would have required amendments to the state Constitution to be passed in two successive elections instead of one before they are approved .
The ballot measure was a response by Florida Republicans to the one in 2018 that restored the right to vote to people with nonviolent felony convictions who had served out their sentences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by requiring those who were eligible to gain back their franchise to pay back all outstanding court fees and fines beforehand .
In California , voters approved a ballot measure that will allow those out on parole to vote .
Colorado passed paid family and medical leave , which will require employers to provide 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child or to deal with personal or family medical emergencies .
In Nevada , voters passed the Marriage Regardless of Gender Amendment , codifying marriage equality in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ overturns the decision in Obergefell v. Hodges that marriage equality was protected by the Constitution .
In Mississippi , voters officially approved a design for a new state flag , removing the Confederate battle flag that had been a feature of the state 's flag since 1894 and replaced it with a Magnolia flower .
Mississippi Republican Gov .
Tate Reeves signed a bill in June that removed the Confederate emblem from the state flag .
But the ballot initiative that passed on Tuesday requires the state legislature to `` enact into law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state flag during its next regular session in 2021 , '' CNN reported .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Voters across the country approved progressive policies on Tuesday, moving the country to the left even when Democratic candidates in their states came up short in their races.
A look at ballot measures across the country shows voters moved their states to the left on their own, going around state legislatures that have blocked progress on everything from drug laws to workers’ rights.
Here’s a look at ballot initiatives that passed after votes were tallied on Tuesday.
Legalized marijuana
Four states legalized marijuana for either recreational or medicinal use.
Voters in New Jersey and Arizona legalized recreational marijuana use.
Voters in South Dakota and Mississippi, two Republican strongholds, voted to legalize the drug for medicinal use.
The voting results include them as part of a trend of states approving marijuana for medicinal or recreational use, or decriminalizing the use of the drug.
Minimum wage
Voters in Florida voted to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour — something Democrats have pushed for but Republicans have blocked.
Currently, Florida’s minimum wage stands at $8.56 an hour.
The ballot measure will raise the minimum wage to $10 in September 2021, and then will incrementally add $1 every year until it is $15 in 2026.
Florida voters also rejected a GOP ballot measure that would have made it harder to pass ballot initiatives. The measure would have required amendments to the state Constitution to be passed in two successive elections instead of one before they are approved.
The ballot measure was a response by Florida Republicans to the one in 2018 that restored the right to vote to people with nonviolent felony convictions who had served out their sentences.
Republicans tried to weaken that measure by requiring those who were eligible to gain back their franchise to pay back all outstanding court fees and fines beforehand.
Voting rights
In California, voters approved a ballot measure that will allow those out on parole to vote.
Paid leave
Colorado passed paid family and medical leave, which will require employers to provide 12 weeks of paid leave for the birth or adoption of a child or to deal with personal or family medical emergencies.
LGBTQ rights
In Nevada, voters passed the Marriage Regardless of Gender Amendment, codifying marriage equality in the state even if the Supreme Court overturns the decision in Obergefell v. Hodges that marriage equality was protected by the Constitution.
Replacing the Confederate flag
In Mississippi, voters officially approved a design for a new state flag, removing the Confederate battle flag that had been a feature of the state’s flag since 1894 and replaced it with a Magnolia flower.
Mississippi Republican Gov. Tate Reeves signed a bill in June that removed the Confederate emblem from the state flag. But the ballot initiative that passed on Tuesday requires the state legislature to “enact into law the new design as Mississippi’s official state flag during its next regular session in 2021,” CNN reported.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-11-04--LGBTQ candidates score big victories on election night

LGBTQ candidates won seats in state legislatures across the country and in Congress on Tuesday , in many cases becoming the first out LGBTQ person to win office in their state .
Seats were won by openly LGBTQ Democratic candidates in Delaware , New York , Colorado , Vermont , and Florida .
In Kansas , a transgender candidate is currently ahead in her race , with counting not yet finished as of this writing .
Sarah McBride won her race for the state Senate in Delaware , making her the first openly transgender person elected a state senator in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ footsteps of Virginia Del .
Danica Roem , the first openly transgender person to become a state legislator .
Roem won reelection in 2019 , despite transphobic attack ads that were run against her .
In 2016 , McBride was the first transgender person to speak at the Democratic National Convention .
Former Vice President Joe Biden wrote the foreword for her memoir , `` Tomorrow Will Be Different : Love , Loss , and the Fight for Trans Equality . ''
`` Thank you , thank you , thank you , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shows an LGBTQ kid that our democracy is big enough for them , too . ''
Ritchie Torres made history when he was elected to represent New York 's 15th Congressional District .
He and Mondaire Jones , another history-maker , who won New York 's 17th Congressional District , will be the first openly gay Black men to win a seats in Congress .
Democratic Colorado state Rep. Brianna Titone , who in 2018 was the first transgender person to be elected in the state , won reelection .
Titone reported that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called to congratulate her on Wednesday morning .
She won in spite of a conservative group releasing transphobic social media ads that used her deadname .
Taylor Small , who ran on the slates of both the Progressive Party of Vermont and the Democratic Party , has been projected as the winner in a race for the Vermont House of Representatives .
That would make Small the first openly transgender legislator in Vermont .
Stephanie Byers is in the lead in her race for the Kansas state House 's 86th District .
Byers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out transgender state lawmaker in the state .
A member of the Chickasaw Nation , Byers will likely also be the first transgender lawmaker of color elected to office in the entire country , reported PinkNews .
Byers told the Wichita Eagle : `` We 've made history here .
We 've done something in Kansas that most people never thought would happen and we did it with really no pushback , by just focusing on the issues . ''
Michele Rayner-Goolsby , who ran unopposed , won a seat in the Florida @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , making her the first openly queer Black woman to elected to the Florida Legislature .
In August , after she won the Democratic primary , she tweeted : `` Our team was led by a Black woman .
It was anchored by women and women of color .
We won because we defined ourselves for ourselves . ''
According to a LGBTQ Victory Fund report , a record number of LGBTQ people appeared on ballots this year .
The report says there has been a 41 % increase in the number of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2018 .
Thirty-one percent of the LGBTQ candidates who ran in 2020 were people of color .
As more LGBTQ candidates enter races for political office , polling continues to show public support for LGBTQ equality .
In 2019 , 61 % of Americans said they were in favor of marriage equality , compared to 31 % in 2004 , according to the Pew Research Center .
A poll released last year by the Public Religion Research Institute shows that 69 % of Americans support laws that `` would protect LGBT people from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and housing . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

LGBTQ candidates won seats in state legislatures across the country and in Congress on Tuesday, in many cases becoming the first out LGBTQ person to win office in their state.
Seats were won by openly LGBTQ Democratic candidates in Delaware, New York, Colorado, Vermont, and Florida. In Kansas, a transgender candidate is currently ahead in her race, with counting not yet finished as of this writing.
Sarah McBride won her race for the state Senate in Delaware, making her the first openly transgender person elected a state senator in the country. She follows in the footsteps of Virginia Del. Danica Roem, the first openly transgender person to become a state legislator. Roem won reelection in 2019, despite transphobic attack ads that were run against her.
In 2016, McBride was the first transgender person to speak at the Democratic National Convention. Former Vice President Joe Biden wrote the foreword for her memoir, “Tomorrow Will Be Different: Love, Loss, and the Fight for Trans Equality.”
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” McBride tweeted. “I hope tonight shows an LGBTQ kid that our democracy is big enough for them, too.”
Ritchie Torres made history when he was elected to represent New York’s 15th Congressional District. He and Mondaire Jones, another history-maker, who won New York’s 17th Congressional District, will be the first openly gay Black men to win a seats in Congress.
Democratic Colorado state Rep. Brianna Titone, who in 2018 was the first transgender person to be elected in the state, won reelection. Titone reported that her Republican opponent, Vicki Pyne, called to congratulate her on Wednesday morning. She won in spite of a conservative group releasing transphobic social media ads that used her deadname.
Taylor Small, who ran on the slates of both the Progressive Party of Vermont and the Democratic Party, has been projected as the winner in a race for the Vermont House of Representatives. That would make Small the first openly transgender legislator in Vermont.
Stephanie Byers is in the lead in her race for the Kansas state House’s 86th District. Byers is on track to be the first out transgender state lawmaker in the state. A member of the Chickasaw Nation, Byers will likely also be the first transgender lawmaker of color elected to office in the entire country, reported PinkNews.
Byers told the Wichita Eagle: “We’ve made history here. We’ve done something in Kansas that most people never thought would happen and we did it with really no pushback, by just focusing on the issues.”
Michele Rayner-Goolsby, who ran unopposed, won a seat in the Florida state House of Representatives on Tuesday night, making her the first openly queer Black woman to elected to the Florida Legislature.
In August, after she won the Democratic primary, she tweeted: “Our team was led by a Black woman. It was anchored by women and women of color. We won because we defined ourselves for ourselves.”
According to a LGBTQ Victory Fund report, a record number of LGBTQ people appeared on ballots this year. The report says there has been a 41% increase in the number of openly LGBTQ people running for office since 2018. Thirty-one percent of the LGBTQ candidates who ran in 2020 were people of color.
As more LGBTQ candidates enter races for political office, polling continues to show public support for LGBTQ equality. In 2019, 61% of Americans said they were in favor of marriage equality, compared to 31% in 2004, according to the Pew Research Center. A poll released last year by the Public Religion Research Institute shows that 69% of Americans support laws that “would protect LGBT people from discrimination in jobs, public accommodations, and housing.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-11-04--California voters reject attempt to make criminal sentences even tougher

California voters on Tuesday rejected Proposition 20 , which would have toughened penalties for a number of crimes and cut down on the number of prisoners who are eligible for early parole .
The law would have had widespread repercussions .
A wide swath of crimes , including shoplifting , drug possession , and forgery , would have triggered stricter penalties .
The measure , supported by police and prosecutors in the state , would also have expanded the ability of law enforcement to collect the DNA of people charged with misdemeanors .
Voters overwhelmingly rejected the measure , 62.3 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of precincts reporting .
`` The defeat of Proposition 20 is a significant milestone in California 's ongoing effort to make its criminal justice system more effective , '' Jay Jordan , the executive director of Californians for Safety and Justice , told the Los Angeles Times .
`` The rejection of mass incarceration by voters is a major advance for the national criminal justice reform movement . ''
In the 1990s , California adopted a raft of harsh mandatory minimum sentencing laws that led to an explosion in the state 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , California 's prison population more than tripled , from 50,000 inmates to 173,000 inmates .
American prisons have continued to struggle with the long-term effects of overcrowding , even as public opinion on crime has softened over the past 30 years .
This year , the coronavirus has ripped through U.S. jails and prisons , a crisis greatly compounded by overcrowding .
Californians may finally be reckoning with their overwhelmed prison system .
Last month , a state appellate court ordered that nearly 1,500 inmates at San Quentin State Prison must either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejection of Prop 20 on Tuesday signals their openness to further reforms .
Donald Trump loves to claim that blue states like California have devolved into crime-ridden anarchy .
Trump has called San Francisco a `` veritable hellhole , '' and has railed against the state 's refusal to work with federal immigration officials .
On Tuesday , California 's voters rejected Trump 's paranoid thinking in favor of a more just state .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

California voters on Tuesday rejected Proposition 20, which would have toughened penalties for a number of crimes and cut down on the number of prisoners who are eligible for early parole.
The law would have had widespread repercussions. A wide swath of crimes, including shoplifting, drug possession, and forgery, would have triggered stricter penalties.
The measure, supported by police and prosecutors in the state, would also have expanded the ability of law enforcement to collect the DNA of people charged with misdemeanors.
Voters overwhelmingly rejected the measure, 62.3% to 37.7%, with 83% of precincts reporting.
Criminal justice advocates cheered the outcome.
“The defeat of Proposition 20 is a significant milestone in California’s ongoing effort to make its criminal justice system more effective,” Jay Jordan, the executive director of Californians for Safety and Justice, told the Los Angeles Times. “The rejection of mass incarceration by voters is a major advance for the national criminal justice reform movement.”
In the 1990s, California adopted a raft of harsh mandatory minimum sentencing laws that led to an explosion in the state’s prison population. Between 1985 and 2006, California’s prison population more than tripled, from 50,000 inmates to 173,000 inmates.
American prisons have continued to struggle with the long-term effects of overcrowding, even as public opinion on crime has softened over the past 30 years. This year, the coronavirus has ripped through U.S. jails and prisons, a crisis greatly compounded by overcrowding.
Californians may finally be reckoning with their overwhelmed prison system. Last month, a state appellate court ordered that nearly 1,500 inmates at San Quentin State Prison must either be released or relocated. Voters’ rejection of Prop 20 on Tuesday signals their openness to further reforms.
Donald Trump loves to claim that blue states like California have devolved into crime-ridden anarchy. Trump has called San Francisco a “veritable hellhole,” and has railed against the state’s refusal to work with federal immigration officials. On Tuesday, California’s voters rejected Trump’s paranoid thinking in favor of a more just state.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-11-04--Lies, lawsuits, and recounts: Trump's latest plan to try to steal the election

As election officials across the country count the ballots cast in the 2020 election , Donald Trump and his campaign are trying to swing the election his way — using the courts , recounts , and misinformation in a scorched earth effort to sway public opinion his way .
On Wednesday afternoon , the Trump campaign falsely declared he had won the state of Pennsylvania , even though nearly 1 million votes have not yet been counted .
The remaining ballots are likely to favor Democratic nominee Joe Biden , with political handicappers saying the outstanding vote could likely lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state .
The Trump campaign has also said it is filing a lawsuit in Pennsylvania claiming a lack of `` transparency '' in order to stop ballot counting .
The campaign announced it is holding a rally outside of the building where votes are being counted in Philadelphia , with Trump 's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani tweeting that he is `` en route to Philadelphia with legal team , '' falsely accusing Democrats of `` massive cheating . ''
There has been no reporting or evidence of any cheating .
The Trump campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump had won the state of Pennsylvania .
This is not true .
No outlet has yet called the race because state election officials are still counting the legally cast absentee ballots .
In many states with GOP-controlled legislatures , those officials were prevented from counting ballots prior to Election Day .
It was part of the massive GOP effort to try to make it hard for people to cast ballots or to invalidate absentee ballots altogether .
The Trump campaign said it will file a similar lawsuit in Michigan to halt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill Stepien claiming that the campaign `` has not been provided with meaningful access to numerous counting locations to observe the opening of ballots and the counting process , as guaranteed by Michigan law . ''
It 's unclear why the campaign wants the state to halt ballot counting now .
As of the time this article published , Biden led the state by 37,350 votes — far more than the 10,704 votes Trump carried Michigan by in 2016 .
Shortly after the campaign announced its intention to file a lawsuit , both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan .
Ryan Jarvi , press secretary for the Michigan attorney general , pushed back on the lawsuit , saying in a statement that `` Michigan 's elections have been conducted transparency and with access provided for both political parties and the public . ''
The Trump campaign also said it plans to ask for a recount in Wisconsin , where Democratic nominee Joe Biden has a more than 20,000-vote lead and multiple outlets have called the state for Biden .
A recount is costly — estimated around $ 3 million , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the margin separating Biden and Trump is greater than the .24 % that triggers a free automatic recount .
However , even Trump allies like former Wisconsin Gov .
Scott Walker say that a 20,000 vote lead is impossible to overcome in a recount .
Meanwhile , as the campaign looks to recounts and legal challenges , Trump himself has spent the day on Twitter sowing doubt in the vote counting and saying that there is something nefarious going on when there 's not — even spouting rhetoric that could be seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ultimately , Trump 's strategy is unlikely to work .
Biden 's leads in the states adding up to the 270 Electoral College threshold are too big to be overcome by recounts .
What 's more , election experts say there 's no legal basis to stop counting the votes .
`` There ’ s no indication yet that there have been any meaningful violations of any statute or the Constitution , '' Justin Levitt , a constitutional law scholar at Loyola Law School , told Vice News .
`` There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Further , if vote counting was halted now , Biden would win the Electoral College .
`` Worth mentioning that if you stopped counting ballots *right now* , Biden would win with this map , '' FiveThirtyEight 's Nate Silver tweeted .
`` So Trump is reliant on ballots counted after Election Day for his comeback chances . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

As election officials across the country count the ballots cast in the 2020 election, Donald Trump and his campaign are trying to swing the election his way — using the courts, recounts, and misinformation in a scorched earth effort to sway public opinion his way.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Trump campaign falsely declared he had won the state of Pennsylvania, even though nearly 1 million votes have not yet been counted. The remaining ballots are likely to favor Democratic nominee Joe Biden, with political handicappers saying the outstanding vote could likely lead Biden to a comfortable victory in the state.
The Trump campaign has also said it is filing a lawsuit in Pennsylvania claiming a lack of “transparency” in order to stop ballot counting.
The campaign announced it is holding a rally outside of the building where votes are being counted in Philadelphia, with Trump’s personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani tweeting that he is “en route to Philadelphia with legal team,” falsely accusing Democrats of “massive cheating.”
There has been no reporting or evidence of any cheating.
The Trump campaign, however, declared on Wednesday afternoon that Trump had won the state of Pennsylvania. This is not true. No outlet has yet called the race because state election officials are still counting the legally cast absentee ballots. In many states with GOP-controlled legislatures, those officials were prevented from counting ballots prior to Election Day. It was part of the massive GOP effort to try to make it hard for people to cast ballots or to invalidate absentee ballots altogether.
The Trump campaign said it will file a similar lawsuit in Michigan to halt ballot counting, with Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien claiming that the campaign “has not been provided with meaningful access to numerous counting locations to observe the opening of ballots and the counting process, as guaranteed by Michigan law.”
It’s unclear why the campaign wants the state to halt ballot counting now.
As of the time this article published, Biden led the state by 37,350 votes — far more than the 10,704 votes Trump carried Michigan by in 2016.
Shortly after the campaign announced its intention to file a lawsuit, both CNN and NBC projected Biden will win Michigan.
Ryan Jarvi, press secretary for the Michigan attorney general, pushed back on the lawsuit, saying in a statement that “Michigan’s elections have been conducted transparency and with access provided for both political parties and the public.”
The Trump campaign also said it plans to ask for a recount in Wisconsin, where Democratic nominee Joe Biden has a more than 20,000-vote lead and multiple outlets have called the state for Biden.
A recount is costly — estimated around $3 million, according to the New York Times, given that the margin separating Biden and Trump is greater than the .24% that triggers a free automatic recount.
However, even Trump allies like former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker say that a 20,000 vote lead is impossible to overcome in a recount.
Meanwhile, as the campaign looks to recounts and legal challenges, Trump himself has spent the day on Twitter sowing doubt in the vote counting and saying that there is something nefarious going on when there’s not — even spouting rhetoric that could be seen as inciting violence from his supporters.
Ultimately, Trump’s strategy is unlikely to work.
Biden’s leads in the states adding up to the 270 Electoral College threshold are too big to be overcome by recounts.
What’s more, election experts say there’s no legal basis to stop counting the votes.
“There’s no indication yet that there have been any meaningful violations of any statute or the Constitution,” Justin Levitt, a constitutional law scholar at Loyola Law School, told Vice News. “There’s nothing for the courts to decide.”
Further, if vote counting was halted now, Biden would win the Electoral College.
“Worth mentioning that if you stopped counting ballots *right now*, Biden would win with this map,” FiveThirtyEight’s Nate Silver tweeted. “So Trump is reliant on ballots counted after Election Day for his comeback chances.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-11-04--Fact check: No, Trump has not won Pennsylvania. They are lying.

On Wednesday , several members of the Trump campaign — including his son Eric , his press secretary Kayleigh McEnany @ @ @ @ @ Twitter account — falsely declared on social media and on a call with reporters that @ @ @ @ @ .
This is not true .
The votes in Pennsylvania are still being counted , @ @ @ @ @ from the Trump campaign to stop the voting .
No outlet has called the Pennsylvania @ @ @ @ @ still being counted .
This is part of a cynical attempt by Trump and his @ @ @ @ @ the votes from being counted because they are worried that if all votes are counted @ @ @ @ @ Trump threatened prior to the election that this would be his strategy .
In the @ @ @ @ @ , he falsely declared himself the winner of the election , even as Joe Biden @ @ @ @ @ popular vote tally and in the electoral votes .
Trump has not won the election @ @ @ @ @ won Pennsylvania .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

On Wednesday, several members of the Trump campaign — including his son Eric, his press secretary Kayleigh McEnany, and his campaign’s Twitter account — falsely declared on social media and on a call with reporters that Donald Trump has won Pennsylvania.
This is not true. The votes in Pennsylvania are still being counted, despite threats of multiple lawsuits from the Trump campaign to stop the voting. No outlet has called the Pennsylvania race because the votes are still being counted.
This is part of a cynical attempt by Trump and his campaign to stop all of the votes from being counted because they are worried that if all votes are counted, they will lose.
Trump threatened prior to the election that this would be his strategy. In the early hours of Wednesday morning, he falsely declared himself the winner of the election, even as Joe Biden was ahead in both the popular vote tally and in the electoral votes.
Trump has not won the election, and he has not won Pennsylvania.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-11-04--GOP leader jumps at chance to spread Trump's lies about voting

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy argued during a press conference on Wednesday that people should not be allowed to vote after an election is over , and said that every American agrees with him .
Asked by a reporter whether he thought Donald Trump should be `` sowing doubt about the integrity of our elections , '' McCarthy dismissed the reporter 's concerns .
`` Your questions never change , no , I know , your questions never change , '' he said .
`` Okay .
Now I can give my answer .
Your questions never change .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that every legal vote gets counted , and that 's what we 're walking through right now . ''
`` Do you agree with the president , should they stop counting votes ? ''
he asked .
`` Again , your questions never change , '' answered McCarthy .
`` What the president wants to make sure is that every legal vote is counted .
The people vote up until Election Day , not the days after , as others would have . ''
He said that 's what Trump was concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people should be able to vote today , and I think every American would feel that exact same way , '' McCarthy added .
`` That 's exactly what the president was expressing .
I know you want to try to express something different to it .
I know you 'll be upset if the president wins reelection again , but the American people have a voice .
...
This is what a republic and a democracy is about .
And we want to make sure it 's legal , it 's fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ counted , and that 's what we 're working toward .
But I do n't think people should vote after the election , no . ''
McCarthy brushed off a follow-up question about whether he had any evidence that individuals were voting after the election .
He also quickly disappeared from the podium a few minutes later when a reporter asked if he had any evidence of voter fraud .
Though laws vary by state as to how long legally cast ballots — those cast prior to the election deadline — can be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no state in the nation allows people to vote after the election is over .
`` We 'll be going to the U.S. Supreme Court — we want all voting to stop , '' the White House occupant told a gathering of supporters .
According to the Associated Press , Democratic nominee Joe Biden 's team called Trump 's claims that he would stop Americans from voting `` outrageous , unprecedented , and incorrect . ''
`` The counting will not stop .
It will continue until every duly cast vote is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Biden 's campaign manager .
`` Because that is what our laws — the laws that protect every Americans ' constitutional right to vote — require . ''
She noted in a statement that Trump 's efforts represent `` a naked effort to take away the democratic rights of American citizens . ''
Election law expert Richard Hasen wrote for Slate that Trump 's claims were `` preposterous , '' and that counting properly cast ballots does not amount to voting after Election Day .
`` No state fully counts their ballots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Returns are unofficial and always contain errors .
Many states allow military ballots to arrive for days after Election Day .
Counting generally continues for days and weeks after Election Day , and results are not certified until weeks after . ''
Republicans have fought back against states extending their deadlines for counting late-arriving mail-in ballots , with more voters choosing to vote absentee rather than in person during the coronavirus pandemic .
In pending litigation in Pennsylvania , the GOP is attempting to stop such ballots from being counted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday held a hearing on the United States Post Office 's failure to comply with his order to make sure all ballots still located at a number of post offices were delivered .
`` The postmaster 's going to have to be deposed or appear before me .
I 'm not going to forget it , '' Sullivan said .
But all of these controversies concern the counting of validly cast ballots .
Despite McCarthy 's and Trump 's claims , there is no evidence that anyone is voting after Election Day .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to claim that a ballot arriving on time can not be counted if officials can not finish their count on election night , '' Hasen wrote in Slate .
`` Counting legitimate ballots is not stealing or flipping the election , and no amount of spin can make it otherwise . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy argued during a press conference on Wednesday that people should not be allowed to vote after an election is over, and said that every American agrees with him.
Asked by a reporter whether he thought Donald Trump should be “sowing doubt about the integrity of our elections,” McCarthy dismissed the reporter’s concerns.
“Your questions never change, no, I know, your questions never change,” he said. “Okay. Now I can give my answer. Your questions never change. I think what the president wants to see is that every legal vote gets counted, and that’s what we’re walking through right now.”
The reporter pressed further.
“Do you agree with the president, should they stop counting votes?” he asked.
“Again, your questions never change,” answered McCarthy. “What the president wants to make sure is that every legal vote is counted. The people vote up until Election Day, not the days after, as others would have.”
He said that’s what Trump was concerned about.
“I don’t think people should be able to vote today, and I think every American would feel that exact same way,” McCarthy added. “That’s exactly what the president was expressing. I know you want to try to express something different to it. I know you’ll be upset if the president wins reelection again, but the American people have a voice. … This is what a republic and a democracy is about. And we want to make sure it’s legal, it’s fair, and that every legal vote is counted, and that’s what we’re working toward. But I don’t think people should vote after the election, no.”
McCarthy brushed off a follow-up question about whether he had any evidence that individuals were voting after the election.
He also quickly disappeared from the podium a few minutes later when a reporter asked if he had any evidence of voter fraud.
The House minority leader’s statements were downright misleading.
Though laws vary by state as to how long legally cast ballots — those cast prior to the election deadline — can be counted if they arrive after Election Day, no state in the nation allows people to vote after the election is over.
McCarthy echoed erroneous claims Trump made earlier in the day.
“We’ll be going to the U.S. Supreme Court — we want all voting to stop,” the White House occupant told a gathering of supporters.
According to the Associated Press, Democratic nominee Joe Biden’s team called Trump’s claims that he would stop Americans from voting “outrageous, unprecedented, and incorrect.”
“The counting will not stop. It will continue until every duly cast vote is counted,” said Jen O’Malley Dillion, Biden’s campaign manager. “Because that is what our laws — the laws that protect every Americans’ constitutional right to vote — require.”
She noted in a statement that Trump’s efforts represent “a naked effort to take away the democratic rights of American citizens.”
Election law expert Richard Hasen wrote for Slate that Trump’s claims were “preposterous,” and that counting properly cast ballots does not amount to voting after Election Day.
“No state fully counts their ballots on election night,” he wrote. “Returns are unofficial and always contain errors. Many states allow military ballots to arrive for days after Election Day. Counting generally continues for days and weeks after Election Day, and results are not certified until weeks after.”
Republicans have fought back against states extending their deadlines for counting late-arriving mail-in ballots, with more voters choosing to vote absentee rather than in person during the coronavirus pandemic. In pending litigation in Pennsylvania, the GOP is attempting to stop such ballots from being counted.
And U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan on Wednesday held a hearing on the United States Post Office’s failure to comply with his order to make sure all ballots still located at a number of post offices were delivered. “The postmaster’s going to have to be deposed or appear before me. I’m not going to forget it,” Sullivan said.
But all of these controversies concern the counting of validly cast ballots. Despite McCarthy’s and Trump’s claims, there is no evidence that anyone is voting after Election Day.
“There has never been any basis to claim that a ballot arriving on time cannot be counted if officials cannot finish their count on election night,” Hasen wrote in Slate. “Counting legitimate ballots is not stealing or flipping the election, and no amount of spin can make it otherwise.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-11-04--Susan Collins wins reelection despite being all-in with Trump

Sen. Susan Collins ( R-ME ) has been reelected to a fifth term in the Senate , even as her state roundly rejected the president whose agenda she has effectively rubber-stamped .
Donald Trump appears to have lost Maine by a sizeable margin , but Collins significantly outperformed him in the blue state , even as Gideon had been ahead in every major poll in the state for months .
Collins has a rather conservative voting record , considering the state 's ideological leanings .
She voted with Trump about two-thirds of the time , backing his first two Supreme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower court judges , and his tax cuts benefiting corporations and the very wealthy .
She voted to acquit him on both counts in the impeachment trial .
She also backed multiple Maine Republican state legislative candidates who reportedly believe in the QAnon conspiracy movement .
But Collins also sought to present herself as an independent voice by frequently expressing mild concern and slight disapproval about Trump 's most objectionable behavior .
More than 24 times she conveyed her disappointment in Trump 's actions ; after voting against his removal from office , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a `` pretty big lesson '' and `` would be more cautious in the future . ''
She later admitted that prediction was mostly `` aspirational . ''
She voted against the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett last month , but made it clear that her decision was only based on `` process '' concerns .
Despite backing most of his agenda , Collins refused to say earlier this year whether she supported Trump 's reelection campaign .
She said she was instead `` concentrating '' her efforts on her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ annoyed Trump , who mocked her as `` not worth the work . ''
With her reelection , it appears unlikely that Democrats have captured enough seats to win back the majority in the Senate , their hopes now mostly hinging on runoff elections in Georgia next January .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has been reelected to a fifth term in the Senate, even as her state roundly rejected the president whose agenda she has effectively rubber-stamped.
Collins’s opponent, Democratic state House Speaker Sara Gideon conceded defeat Wednesday.
Donald Trump appears to have lost Maine by a sizeable margin, but Collins significantly outperformed him in the blue state, even as Gideon had been ahead in every major poll in the state for months.
Collins has a rather conservative voting record, considering the state’s ideological leanings. She voted with Trump about two-thirds of the time, backing his first two Supreme Court nominees, most of his right-wing lower court judges, and his tax cuts benefiting corporations and the very wealthy. She voted to acquit him on both counts in the impeachment trial.
She also backed multiple Maine Republican state legislative candidates who reportedly believe in the QAnon conspiracy movement.
But Collins also sought to present herself as an independent voice by frequently expressing mild concern and slight disapproval about Trump’s most objectionable behavior. More than 24 times she conveyed her disappointment in Trump’s actions; after voting against his removal from office, she baselessly suggested that he had learned a “pretty big lesson” and “would be more cautious in the future.” She later admitted that prediction was mostly “aspirational.”
She voted against the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett last month, but made it clear that her decision was only based on “process” concerns.
Despite backing most of his agenda, Collins refused to say earlier this year whether she supported Trump’s reelection campaign. She said she was instead “concentrating” her efforts on her own “difficult race.” This annoyed Trump, who mocked her as “not worth the work.”
Her gambit apparently worked.
With her reelection, it appears unlikely that Democrats have captured enough seats to win back the majority in the Senate, their hopes now mostly hinging on runoff elections in Georgia next January.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-11-04--Trump's letting his violent supporters know they shouldn't accept election loss

Donald Trump 's campaign urged supporters on Wednesday to `` DEFEND YOUR PRESIDENT '' just days after his warning that a full vote count might cause armed rebellion .
While the 2020 election remains uncalled , as of Wednesday morning Joe Biden held a lead in enough states to win the White House .
Trump , who has been demanding for months that the election be decided based only on the votes counted by Election Day , appeared to be egging on his violent extremist supporters .
In an early morning fundraising email titled `` BREAKING !
DEMOCRATS PLAN TO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked his backers to `` step up one last time '' and `` DEFEND the integrity of our election '' with a donation .
Trump also lashed out at the democratic process , tweeting falsely late Tuesday night that , `` We are up BIG , but they are trying to STEAL the Election .
We will never let them do it .
Votes can not be cast after the Polls are closed ! ''
He also falsely claimed , `` Last night I was leading , often solidly , in many key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run & controlled .
Then , one by one , they started to magically disappear as surprise ballot dumps were counted .
VERY STRANGE , and the 'pollsters ' got it completely & historically wrong ! ''
A shift in the lead was expected by experts given that states count the early and mail-in votes at varying times .
They warned that this could cause a `` red mirage '' in states like Michigan , Pennsylvania , and Wisconsin , where the election night tally may look more Republican than the ultimate result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appeared to egg on his supporters to respond with armed rebellion should states like Pennsylvania attempt to count all the votes .
`` The Supreme Court decision on voting in Pennsylvania is a VERY dangerous one , '' he tweeted .
`` It will allow rampant and unchecked cheating and will undermine our entire systems of laws .
It will also induce violence in the streets .
Something must be done ! ''
He was referencing a court ruling allowing the state to count ballots postmarked on time and received within three days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that many of his supporters appear to be taking that advice seriously .
Dozens of users on a pro-Trump online message board posted messages urging `` war '' to stop Democrats from `` trying to STEAL the election . ''
One wrote that they are `` standing by and keeping my rifle by my side . ''
A Trump campaign spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story .
But he has encouraged his most violent extremist fans in the past and made it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results of the election if he did n't prevail .
At the first general election debate , he told the white nationalist Proud Boys — a Southern Poverty Law Center-designated hate group — to `` stand back and stand by '' rather than denouncing their violent tactics .
After armed right-wing mobs in Michigan stormed the state Capitol , Trump demanded that the state 's governor give in to their demands .
At a September news conference , Trump made it clear that he might not allow a peaceful transition of power to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Well , we 're going to have to see what happens .
You know that .
I 've been complaining very strongly about the ballots .
And the ballots are a disaster , '' he baselessly claimed .
`` Get rid of the ballots and you 'll have a very — we 'll have a very peaceful — there wo n't be a transfer , frankly ; there 'll be a continuation .
The ballots are out of control .
You know it . ''
After Trump falsely claimed to have won @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's campaign manager maintained on a press call that `` if we count all legally cast ballots , we believe the president will win . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump’s campaign urged supporters on Wednesday to “DEFEND YOUR PRESIDENT” just days after his warning that a full vote count might cause armed rebellion.
While the 2020 election remains uncalled, as of Wednesday morning Joe Biden held a lead in enough states to win the White House.
Trump, who has been demanding for months that the election be decided based only on the votes counted by Election Day, appeared to be egging on his violent extremist supporters.
In an early morning fundraising email titled “BREAKING! DEMOCRATS PLAN TO STEAL THE ELECTION!” Team Trump asked his backers to “step up one last time” and “DEFEND the integrity of our election” with a donation.
Trump also lashed out at the democratic process, tweeting falsely late Tuesday night that, “We are up BIG, but they are trying to STEAL the Election. We will never let them do it. Votes cannot be cast after the Polls are closed!”
He also falsely claimed, “Last night I was leading, often solidly, in many key States, in almost all instances Democrat run & controlled. Then, one by one, they started to magically disappear as surprise ballot dumps were counted. VERY STRANGE, and the ‘pollsters’ got it completely & historically wrong!”
A shift in the lead was expected by experts given that states count the early and mail-in votes at varying times. They warned that this could cause a “red mirage” in states like Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, where the election night tally may look more Republican than the ultimate result.
Just two days ago, Trump appeared to egg on his supporters to respond with armed rebellion should states like Pennsylvania attempt to count all the votes.
“The Supreme Court decision on voting in Pennsylvania is a VERY dangerous one,” he tweeted. “It will allow rampant and unchecked cheating and will undermine our entire systems of laws. It will also induce violence in the streets. Something must be done!” He was referencing a court ruling allowing the state to count ballots postmarked on time and received within three days of the election in the state.
The Washington Post reported on Wednesday that many of his supporters appear to be taking that advice seriously. Dozens of users on a pro-Trump online message board posted messages urging “war” to stop Democrats from “trying to STEAL the election.” One wrote that they are “standing by and keeping my rifle by my side.”
A Trump campaign spokesperson did not immediately respond to an inquiry for this story.
But he has encouraged his most violent extremist fans in the past and made it clear that he would not accept the results of the election if he didn’t prevail.
At the first general election debate, he told the white nationalist Proud Boys — a Southern Poverty Law Center-designated hate group — to “stand back and stand by” rather than denouncing their violent tactics. After armed right-wing mobs in Michigan stormed the state Capitol, Trump demanded that the state’s governor give in to their demands.
At a September news conference, Trump made it clear that he might not allow a peaceful transition of power to Joe Biden if he loses reelection.
“Well, we’re going to have to see what happens. You know that. I’ve been complaining very strongly about the ballots. And the ballots are a disaster,” he baselessly claimed. “Get rid of the ballots and you’ll have a very — we’ll have a very peaceful — there won’t be a transfer, frankly; there’ll be a continuation. The ballots are out of control. You know it.”
After Trump falsely claimed to have won the election early Wednesday morning, Trump’s campaign manager maintained on a press call that “if we count all legally cast ballots, we believe the president will win.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-11-04--Trump campaign suing in Michigan to stop votes from being counted

Donald Trump 's campaign says it has filed a lawsuit trying to halt the vote count in battleground Michigan .
@ @ @ @ @ 's Democratic challenger Joe Biden a small lead , but the race is still too @ @ @ @ @ campaign manager Bill Stepien says in a statement Wednesday that the campaign `` has not @ @ @ @ @ to numerous counting locations to observe the opening of ballots and the counting process , @ @ @ @ @ . ''
He says a suit was filed Wednesday in the Michigan Court of Claims @ @ @ @ @ meaningful access has been granted . ''
Michigan is a critical battleground state that helped @ @ @ @ @ years ago , along with Wisconsin and Pennsylvania .
Neither Wisconsin or Pennsylvania has been @ @ @

Donald Trump’s campaign says it has filed a lawsuit trying to halt the vote count in battleground Michigan.
The latest counts gives Trump’s Democratic challenger Joe Biden a small lead, but the race is still too early to call.
Trump campaign manager Bill Stepien says in a statement Wednesday that the campaign “has not been provided with meaningful access to numerous counting locations to observe the opening of ballots and the counting process, as guaranteed by Michigan law.”
He says a suit was filed Wednesday in the Michigan Court of Claims “to halt counting until meaningful access has been granted.”
Michigan is a critical battleground state that helped deliver Trump the presidency four years ago, along with Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Neither Wisconsin or Pennsylvania has been called yet.


shareblue--2020-11-06--Trump asks Joe Biden to only accept votes showing Trump wins

Donald Trump on Thursday challenged former Vice President Joe Biden to only accept vote counts that would lead to a Trump election victory .
`` I challenge Joe and every Democrat to clarify that they only want legal votes , '' Trump said during a speech at the White House .
`` Legal votes .
We want every legal vote counted .
And I want every legal vote counted . ''
Trump and his campaign have inaccurately defined tried to `` legal '' votes as votes cast in person on Election Day , which in many cases heavily favor Republicans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes cast by mail that favored Biden .
It is also wrong .
In a speech earlier in the day , Biden called for `` calm '' and said , `` Each ballot must be counted . ''
Biden did not make any artificial distinctions about which group of votes should be tabulated , as Trump did .
A full accounting of the votes has eroded Trump 's lead in key swing states and the current trajectory favors Biden winning the electoral college and the presidency .
DONALD TRUMP : I challenge Joe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only want legal votes because they talk about votes , and I think they should use the word `` legal . ''
Legal votes .
We want every legal vote counted .
And I want every legal vote counted .
We want openness and transparency .
No secret count rooms .
No mystery ballots .
No illegal votes being case after Election Day .
You have Election Day , and the laws are very strong on that .
You have an Election Day .
And they do n't want votes cast after Election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be an honest one .
It 's so important .
We want an honest election .
We want an honest count .
And we want honest people working back there 'cause it 's a very important job , so that 's the way this country is going to win .
That 's the way the United States will win .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump on Thursday challenged former Vice President Joe Biden to only accept vote counts that would lead to a Trump election victory.
“I challenge Joe and every Democrat to clarify that they only want legal votes,” Trump said during a speech at the White House. “Legal votes. We want every legal vote counted. And I want every legal vote counted.”
Trump and his campaign have inaccurately defined tried to “legal” votes as votes cast in person on Election Day, which in many cases heavily favor Republicans. The distinction would invalidate millions of votes cast by mail that favored Biden. It is also wrong.
In a speech earlier in the day, Biden called for “calm” and said, “Each ballot must be counted.” Biden did not make any artificial distinctions about which group of votes should be tabulated, as Trump did.
A full accounting of the votes has eroded Trump’s lead in key swing states and the current trajectory favors Biden winning the electoral college and the presidency.
From a Nov. 5 White House speech:
DONALD TRUMP: I challenge Joe and every Democrat to clarify that they only want legal votes because they talk about votes, and I think they should use the word “legal.” Legal votes. We want every legal vote counted. And I want every legal vote counted. We want openness and transparency. No secret count rooms. No mystery ballots. No illegal votes being case after Election Day. You have Election Day, and the laws are very strong on that. You have an Election Day. And they don’t want votes cast after Election Day. And they want the process to be an honest one. It’s so important. We want an honest election. We want an honest count. And we want honest people working back there ’cause it’s a very important job, so that’s the way this country is going to win. That’s the way the United States will win.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-11-05--What the heck is happening with the Georgia Senate races?

Whether Democrats or Republicans take control of the U.S. Senate remains to be seen — and the outcome may not be until next year .
There are two U.S. Senate races ongoing in Georgia , and the winners for both races are still unknown .
What happens now ?
A runoff will take place next year on Jan. 5 between incumbent GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler and her Democratic challenger , the Rev .
Raphael Warnock .
Neither candidate received 50 % of the vote in the November election , which was needed to avoid a runoff .
Warnock , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where Martin Luther King Jr. once did , got 33 % of the vote , according to the New York Times .
Loeffler , who is a staunch Trump ally , received 26 % , beating out Rep. Doug Collins ( R-GA ) , another Trump loyalist , who received 20 % .
In the other Georgia Senate race , incumbent Republican Sen. David Perdue currently has 50 % of the vote , while Democrat Jon Ossoff is not far behind , with nearly 48 % , according to the New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estimated vote total still needs to be reported there .
Perdue , who also ran a pro-Trump campaign , and Ossoff could also face a runoff on Jan. 5 if Perdue falls below 50 % of the vote when the tally is completed .
Votes are still being counted in Atlanta and other blue-leaning areas .
As the race tightens , the Ossoff campaign is not calling it quits .
`` The votes are still being counted , but we are confident that Jon Ossoff 's historic performance in Georgia has forced Senator @ @ @ @ @ @ @ record of unemployment , disease , and corruption .
When a runoff is called and held in January , Georgians are going to send Jon to the Senate to defend their health care and put the interests of working families and small businesses ahead of corporate lobbyists .
Georgians are sick and tired of the endless failure , incompetence , and corruption of Senator Perdue and Donald Trump , '' Ellen Foster , Ossoff 's campaign manager , said in a statement .
Meanwhile , Perdue is not letting up , with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If overtime is required when all of the votes have been counted , we 're ready , and we will win . ''
When will those results be known ?
According to Gabriel Sterling , the voting system implementation manager , the count should be finished by the end of the day Thursday .
He noted on Thursday morning there were approximately 60,000 ballots left to be counted .
What happens if the challengers win ?
With results for four U.S. Senate races still pending , Democrats and Republicans each currently hold 48 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sen. Thom Tillis is ahead with 48.7 % against his Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham , at 46.9 % of votes .
In Alaska , Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan is ahead with 62.9 % of votes against Democrat Al Gross , who has 31.8 % of votes .
If Tillis and Sullivan , both incumbents , win their respective Senate races , that will give the GOP 50 seats in the Senate .
In that scenario , Democrats still have a chance of gaining control of the Senate , albeit a slim one .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ party would need to win both races in Georgia — and Joe Biden would need to win the presidency .
Democrats and Republicans would then hold 50 Senate seats each , and Biden 's vice president , Kamala Harris , would serve as the tie-breaking vote for the chamber .
Democrats have flipped two Senate seats this year : one in Colorado , where former Gov .
John Hickenlooper beat Sen. Cory Gardner ; and one in Arizona , where former astronaut Mark Kelly defeated Sen. Martha McSally .
Republicans netted one Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doug Jones lost to Tommy Tuberville , a former football coach who faced allegations of fraud .
Jones is a former U.S. attorney who won in a special election for former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions ' vacant seat in 2017 .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Whether Democrats or Republicans take control of the U.S. Senate remains to be seen — and the outcome may not be until next year.
Who won?
There are two U.S. Senate races ongoing in Georgia, and the winners for both races are still unknown.
What happens now?
A runoff will take place next year on Jan. 5 between incumbent GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler and her Democratic challenger, the Rev. Raphael Warnock.
Neither candidate received 50% of the vote in the November election, which was needed to avoid a runoff. Warnock, who preaches at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, where Martin Luther King Jr. once did, got 33% of the vote, according to the New York Times. Loeffler, who is a staunch Trump ally, received 26%, beating out Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA), another Trump loyalist, who received 20%.
In the other Georgia Senate race, incumbent Republican Sen. David Perdue currently has 50% of the vote, while Democrat Jon Ossoff is not far behind, with nearly 48%, according to the New York Times. About 3% of the estimated vote total still needs to be reported there.
Perdue, who also ran a pro-Trump campaign, and Ossoff could also face a runoff on Jan. 5 if Perdue falls below 50% of the vote when the tally is completed.
Votes are still being counted in Atlanta and other blue-leaning areas.
As the race tightens, the Ossoff campaign is not calling it quits.
“The votes are still being counted, but we are confident that Jon Ossoff’s historic performance in Georgia has forced Senator David Perdue to continue defending his indefensible record of unemployment, disease, and corruption. When a runoff is called and held in January, Georgians are going to send Jon to the Senate to defend their health care and put the interests of working families and small businesses ahead of corporate lobbyists. Georgians are sick and tired of the endless failure, incompetence, and corruption of Senator Perdue and Donald Trump,” Ellen Foster, Ossoff’s campaign manager, said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Perdue is not letting up, with his campaign manager Ben Fry saying, “If overtime is required when all of the votes have been counted, we’re ready, and we will win.”
When will those results be known?
According to Gabriel Sterling, the voting system implementation manager, the count should be finished by the end of the day Thursday. He noted on Thursday morning there were approximately 60,000 ballots left to be counted.
What happens if the challengers win?
With results for four U.S. Senate races still pending, Democrats and Republicans each currently hold 48 seats.
In North Carolina, Republican Sen. Thom Tillis is ahead with 48.7% against his Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham, at 46.9% of votes.
In Alaska, Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan is ahead with 62.9% of votes against Democrat Al Gross, who has 31.8% of votes.
If Tillis and Sullivan, both incumbents, win their respective Senate races, that will give the GOP 50 seats in the Senate.
In that scenario, Democrats still have a chance of gaining control of the Senate, albeit a slim one. With 48 Senate seats locked, the party would need to win both races in Georgia — and Joe Biden would need to win the presidency. Democrats and Republicans would then hold 50 Senate seats each, and Biden’s vice president, Kamala Harris, would serve as the tie-breaking vote for the chamber.
Democrats have flipped two Senate seats this year: one in Colorado, where former Gov. John Hickenlooper beat Sen. Cory Gardner; and one in Arizona, where former astronaut Mark Kelly defeated Sen. Martha McSally.
Republicans netted one Senate seat in Alabama when vulnerable incumbent Democrat Doug Jones lost to Tommy Tuberville, a former football coach who faced allegations of fraud. Jones is a former U.S. attorney who won in a special election for former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ vacant seat in 2017.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-11-05--'It's not fair': Trump kids having a hard time accepting their dad hasn't won

Donald Trump 's sons have spent the last two days since the election in apparent denial , sharing conspiracy theories and endorsing coups as their father 's path to victory becomes more and more murky .
On Thursday , Donald Trump Jr. retweeted far-right radio host Mark Levin 's call for Republican state legislators to simply ignore the 2020 election results and declare Trump the winner .
`` REMINDER TO THE REPUBLICAN STATE LEGISLATURES , YOU HAVE THE FINAL SAY OVER THE CHOOSING OF ELECTORS , NOT ANY BOARD OF ELECTIONS , SECRETARY OF STATE , GOVERNOR , OR EVEN @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- ARTICLE II OF THE FED CONSTITUTION .
SO , GET READY TO DO YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY , '' Levin tweeted .
According to the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center , state legislatures are in fact barred by federal law from `` usurping '' the will of their constituents after a presidential election .
Trump Jr. also called out Republicans like former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley who he claimed were `` sitting on the sidelines , '' rather than fighting to stop election officials from counting votes .
Trump Jr. and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an array of debunked conspiracy theories , suggesting that the election was being stolen by Democrats somehow .
( It 's not . )
`` The amount of FRAUD being reported in Pennsylvania , Michigan , Nevada , Georgia and Wisconsin is unreal , '' both claimed baselessly .
`` Please report personal experiences .
Please have all facts and evidence .
# StopTheSteal . ''
Twitter later flagged the tweets as `` misleading . ''
Eric also bizarrely claimed the state of Pennsylvania and its 20 electoral votes on Wednesday for his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had called the state , the vote count was not complete , and experts believe Biden will likely receive more votes once all is said and done .
At a press conference on Wednesday , he claimed that Democrats `` know the only way they could win this election is to cheat in Pennsylvania . ''
`` We 're going to win Pennsylvania , but they 're trying to cheat us out of it , '' he suggested , noting that his father had an initial lead before Democratic-leaning communities tallied all their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And it ca n't happen , it simply ca n't happen .
It 's not fair .
This is n't democracy . ''
Ivanka Trump , meanwhile , has been mostly silent since the polls closed , tweeting just three times to congratulate Republican winners , including Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina .
Trump 's younger daughter Tiffany has not tweeted since Election Day .
Ivanka 's husband Jared Kushner , a high-profile member of Trump 's inner circle who served as key campaign strategist , has also been quiet .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Thursday , his management company is busily working to evict tenants from their homes in the midst of a pandemic .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Donald Trump’s sons have spent the last two days since the election in apparent denial, sharing conspiracy theories and endorsing coups as their father’s path to victory becomes more and more murky.
On Thursday, Donald Trump Jr. retweeted far-right radio host Mark Levin’s call for Republican state legislators to simply ignore the 2020 election results and declare Trump the winner.
“REMINDER TO THE REPUBLICAN STATE LEGISLATURES, YOU HAVE THE FINAL SAY OVER THE CHOOSING OF ELECTORS, NOT ANY BOARD OF ELECTIONS, SECRETARY OF STATE, GOVERNOR, OR EVEN COURT. YOU HAVE THE FINAL SAY — ARTICLE II OF THE FED CONSTITUTION. SO, GET READY TO DO YOUR CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY,” Levin tweeted.
According to the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center, state legislatures are in fact barred by federal law from “usurping” the will of their constituents after a presidential election.
Trump Jr. also called out Republicans like former Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley who he claimed were “sitting on the sidelines,” rather than fighting to stop election officials from counting votes.
Trump Jr. and his brother Eric both also tweeted out an array of debunked conspiracy theories, suggesting that the election was being stolen by Democrats somehow. (It’s not.)
“The amount of FRAUD being reported in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, Georgia and Wisconsin is unreal,” both claimed baselessly. “Please report personal experiences. Please have all facts and evidence. #StopTheSteal.”
Twitter later flagged the tweets as “misleading.”
Eric also bizarrely claimed the state of Pennsylvania and its 20 electoral votes on Wednesday for his father — even though no news outlet had called the state, the vote count was not complete, and experts believe Biden will likely receive more votes once all is said and done.
At a press conference on Wednesday, he claimed that Democrats “know the only way they could win this election is to cheat in Pennsylvania.”
“We’re going to win Pennsylvania, but they’re trying to cheat us out of it,” he suggested, noting that his father had an initial lead before Democratic-leaning communities tallied all their votes. “This is rampant corruption. And it can’t happen, it simply can’t happen. It’s not fair. This isn’t democracy.”
Ivanka Trump, meanwhile, has been mostly silent since the polls closed, tweeting just three times to congratulate Republican winners, including Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
Trump’s younger daughter Tiffany has not tweeted since Election Day.
Ivanka’s husband Jared Kushner, a high-profile member of Trump’s inner circle who served as key campaign strategist, has also been quiet. According to a Washington Post report on Thursday, his management company is busily working to evict tenants from their homes in the midst of a pandemic.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-11-05--Republicans apparently think only votes for Trump are legal

Members of Donald Trump 's campaign and Republican officials have doubled down on dubious distinctions between `` legal '' and `` illegal '' votes as the election outcome remains unclear .
`` IF YOU COUNT THE LEGAL VOTES , I EASILY WIN THE ELECTION ! ''
Trump wrote on Thursday in an official statement .
`` IF YOU COUNT THE ILLEGAL AND LATE VOTES , THEY CAN STEAL THE ELECTION FROM US ! ''
Though 22 states and the District of Columbia allow for the counting of ballots postmarked before Election Day that arrive after Election Day , many Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cried fraud — in the absence of any evidence .
Trump senior adviser Jason Miller during a press call on Thursday stated that the campaign has established a presence in major contested states with an eye on the election 's outcome .
`` We do have people that are on the ground and fighting to make sure that legal ballots are all counted and illegal ballots are not counted , '' he said .
In a Fox News interview Wednesday night , White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany also argued that validly cast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We believe the American people deserve answers , which is why we are in court currently fighting in Pennsylvania , '' said McEnany .
`` They want to count ballots that come in three days after .
We have election days in this country for a reason , because votes are counted on Election Day . ''
Host Martha MacCallum pointed out that mail-in ballots and absentee ballots arrive every year after Election Day and are perfectly legal .
`` Even if they voted on Nov. 3 in Pennsylvania because they were told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you 're going to throw their — toss their ballot out if it does n't come in until the day after or two days after ?
” MacCallum asked McEnany .
McEnany said she believed every vote on Election Day should be counted .
`` But it 's those that arrive after the Election Day that we are fighting , '' she added .
`` Republicans are fighting to make sure that every LEGAL vote is counted accurately , '' he wrote .
On Thursday , Trump campaign official Ric Grenell tweeted demanding @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nevada — and no more counting of supposedly `` illegal '' ballots .
`` We just finished a press conference announcing a federal lawsuit to stop counting illegal ballots in Nevada , '' he said .
`` Clark County officials must start answering questions as to why .
We demand transparency . ''
Also on Thursday , former Arkansas Gov .
Mike Huckabee railed against `` illegal ballots '' on Twitter , by which he presumably meant ones cast for Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden .
`` As Americans , we want all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then counted .
Illegal ballots should NOT be counted as that robs legal voters of THEIR vote , '' tweeted Huckabee .
Former Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway appeared on `` Fox & Friends '' Thursday morning and urged patience .
`` Let 's be patient , let 's take a deep breath , '' she said .
`` Let 's count every legal vote .
I think it 's a time to be methodical and not emotional . ''
Rep. Andy Briggs ( R-AZ ) tweeted Thursday that `` every legal vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' `` Nothing more , nothing less , '' he wrote .
`` The integrity of our elections is on the line , and Americans need maximum transparency and accountability from state and local officials . ''
Rep. Kevin Brady ( R-TX ) also expressed vague concerns about `` illegal '' votes being counted .
`` Every legal vote should be counted - OPENLY & according to election laws , '' he tweeted Thursday morning .
`` With so much at stake , every American should insist election laws be followed .
Vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , behind closed doors .
@ realDonaldTrump suing for transparency/following law . ''
And Rep. Jim Banks ( R-IN ) seemed incensed at the possibility that Biden might be an `` illegal '' president .
`` It 's in GOP 's AND Dems ' interest to make sure this election is conducted legally and without fraud , '' he tweeted early Thursday .
`` We do n't want Biden to forever have an asterisk next to his name & his legacy remembered as an 'illegal president . '
That would be terrible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! ''
False accusations of voter fraud are nothing new for the GOP .
Trump in particular has spread lies about the election process on social media for months , made up false claims about widespread mail-in voter fraud , and attempted to stop votes from being counted — long before the election .
But as of yet , the GOP has offered no explanation or evidence to support their vague threats of an `` illegal ballot '' bogeyman .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Members of Donald Trump’s campaign and Republican officials have doubled down on dubious distinctions between “legal” and “illegal” votes as the election outcome remains unclear.
“IF YOU COUNT THE LEGAL VOTES, I EASILY WIN THE ELECTION!” Trump wrote on Thursday in an official statement. “IF YOU COUNT THE ILLEGAL AND LATE VOTES, THEY CAN STEAL THE ELECTION FROM US!”
Though 22 states and the District of Columbia allow for the counting of ballots postmarked before Election Day that arrive after Election Day, many Trump campaign staffers and Republican legislators have similarly cried fraud — in the absence of any evidence.
Trump senior adviser Jason Miller during a press call on Thursday stated that the campaign has established a presence in major contested states with an eye on the election’s outcome.
“We do have people that are on the ground and fighting to make sure that legal ballots are all counted and illegal ballots are not counted,” he said.
In a Fox News interview Wednesday night, White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany also argued that validly cast mail-in ballots were somehow illegal.
“We believe the American people deserve answers, which is why we are in court currently fighting in Pennsylvania,” said McEnany. “They want to count ballots that come in three days after. We have election days in this country for a reason, because votes are counted on Election Day.”
Host Martha MacCallum pointed out that mail-in ballots and absentee ballots arrive every year after Election Day and are perfectly legal.
“Even if they voted on Nov. 3 in Pennsylvania because they were told that that was OK to do, you’re going to throw their — toss their ballot out if it doesn’t come in until the day after or two days after?” MacCallum asked McEnany.
McEnany said she believed every vote on Election Day should be counted.
“But it’s those that arrive after the Election Day that we are fighting,” she added.
Also on Wednesday, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted a rallying cry.


shareblue--2020-11-05--McConnell is already planning to stop Biden from running the country

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is already planning to stonewall the agenda of a potential Joe Biden administration , all the way down to preventing Biden from appointing the Cabinet secretaries he wants , according to an article published on Thursday by Axios .
Biden has yet to be declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election , though the odds are looking good for him to defeat Donald Trump .
And it is still unclear whether McConnell will control the Senate when the new Congress is sworn in next year , with the races for the two Georgia Senate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The current situation notwithstanding , Axios noted , `` McConnell has a history of blocking Democratic presidents from passing anything — working to obstruct rather than cut deals . ''
When Democrats had a majority in the Senate , McConnell used the filibuster to block Obama 's court picks from getting votes .
After Republicans won control of the Senate in 2014 , he refused to hold votes on Obama 's court picks in the last two years of his presidency .
That included refusing even to hold confirmation hearings for Obama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in 2016 .
If Biden wins the presidency , and if Republicans hold the Senate , Democrats say Biden should sidestep any obstructionism on the part of McConnell by appointing acting Cabinet officials , who do not go through the Senate confirmation process , taking a page from Trump 's playbook .
As of the middle of February , Trump had 22 acting Cabinet and Cabinet-level officials serving in an `` acting '' capacity over the course of his tenure , according to a Washington Post analysis .
Senate Republicans have not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with unconfirmed officials ; some Democrats say Biden should do the same .
`` Fuck 'em .
Just do acting secretaries like Trump did , '' tweeted Zac Petkanas , a Democratic strategist and former spokesperson for former Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid .
`` McConnell did n't complain then .
He ca n't complain now . ''
Other Democrats say that McConnell 's vow to block Biden 's agenda should motivate Democratic voters in Georgia .
`` Chasing small-ball deals with McConnell and letting him pick your cabinet guarantees a depressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
McConnell will pick your pocket for two years before robbing you blind .
If there 's a double runoff in GA Dems can still take the Senate , '' tweeted Adam Jentleson , another Democratic strategist who worked for Reid .
`` It 's critical . ''
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is already planning to stonewall the agenda of a potential Joe Biden administration, all the way down to preventing Biden from appointing the Cabinet secretaries he wants, according to an article published on Thursday by Axios.
Biden has yet to be declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election, though the odds are looking good for him to defeat Donald Trump. And it is still unclear whether McConnell will control the Senate when the new Congress is sworn in next year, with the races for the two Georgia Senate seats headed to a runoff in January.
The current situation notwithstanding, Axios noted, “McConnell has a history of blocking Democratic presidents from passing anything — working to obstruct rather than cut deals.”
McConnell notoriously refused to confirm dozens of President Barack Obama’s judicial nominees.
When Democrats had a majority in the Senate, McConnell used the filibuster to block Obama’s court picks from getting votes. After Republicans won control of the Senate in 2014, he refused to hold votes on Obama’s court picks in the last two years of his presidency. That included refusing even to hold confirmation hearings for Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, in 2016.
If Biden wins the presidency, and if Republicans hold the Senate, Democrats say Biden should sidestep any obstructionism on the part of McConnell by appointing acting Cabinet officials, who do not go through the Senate confirmation process, taking a page from Trump’s playbook.
As of the middle of February, Trump had 22 acting Cabinet and Cabinet-level officials serving in an “acting” capacity over the course of his tenure, according to a Washington Post analysis.
Senate Republicans have not objected to Trump having a Cabinet filled with unconfirmed officials; some Democrats say Biden should do the same.
“Fuck ’em. Just do acting secretaries like Trump did,” tweeted Zac Petkanas, a Democratic strategist and former spokesperson for former Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. “McConnell didn’t complain then. He can’t complain now.”
Other Democrats say that McConnell’s vow to block Biden’s agenda should motivate Democratic voters in Georgia.
“Chasing small-ball deals with McConnell and letting him pick your cabinet guarantees a depressed base and big GOP gains in 2022. McConnell will pick your pocket for two years before robbing you blind. If there’s a double runoff in GA Dems can still take the Senate,” tweeted Adam Jentleson, another Democratic strategist who worked for Reid. “It’s critical.”
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


shareblue--2020-11-05--GOP congressman upset that ballots don't require stamps

As Donald Trump 's lead in Pennsylvania continued to shrink on Thursday , he demanded election officials `` STOP THE COUNT ! ''
The late-counted mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania have largely added to Joe Biden 's lead in the state — a fact that has displeased Trump and local GOP lawmakers alike .
On Wednesday , Rep .
Guy Reschenthaler ( R-PA ) claimed without evidence that local officials were committing election fraud to tip the election for Biden .
`` Number one , you have the fact that you have the attorney general of Pennsylvania saying before the election @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , yesterday he said that by the time all the votes are counted , Joe Biden will be our next president or Joe Biden will win Pennsylvania , '' he told Newsmax TV .
The GOP lawmaker also claimed , falsely , that some mail-in ballots were n't valid because they did n't have stamps .
In August , Democratic Gov .
Tom Wolf announced that the state would cover any missing postage on mail-in ballots in order to make it safer and easier for Pennsylvanians to vote from home in the midst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interview on Thursday , Reschenthaler claimed that by upholding Wolf 's order , the Pennsylvania state Supreme Court `` unilaterally rewrote our election law to allow ballots to get collected without postage marks , without signature verification , not even requiring a stamp . ''
Still , he maintained faith in a Trump victory , and blamed the media for calling the election for Biden prematurely .
`` The mainstream media was too fast to declare this race for Joe Biden , '' Reschenthaler said .
`` Given the unrest we 've had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civil unrest , violent protests , and looting , and the people that are to be blamed are the media who set up a false narrative that Joe Biden won this election . ''
As of Thursday morning , the Electoral College stood at 253 for Biden and 214 for Trump .
Candidates need 270 Electoral College votes to secure victory .
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation .

As Donald Trump’s lead in Pennsylvania continued to shrink on Thursday, he demanded election officials “STOP THE COUNT!”
The late-counted mail-in ballots in Pennsylvania have largely added to Joe Biden’s lead in the state — a fact that has displeased Trump and local GOP lawmakers alike.
On Wednesday, Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA) claimed without evidence that local officials were committing election fraud to tip the election for Biden.
“Number one, you have the fact that you have the attorney general of Pennsylvania saying before the election, before the votes were even counted, yesterday he said that by the time all the votes are counted, Joe Biden will be our next president or Joe Biden will win Pennsylvania,” he told Newsmax TV.
The GOP lawmaker also claimed, falsely, that some mail-in ballots weren’t valid because they didn’t have stamps. In August, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf announced that the state would cover any missing postage on mail-in ballots in order to make it safer and easier for Pennsylvanians to vote from home in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
In the interview on Thursday, Reschenthaler claimed that by upholding Wolf’s order, the Pennsylvania state Supreme Court “unilaterally rewrote our election law to allow ballots to get collected without postage marks, without signature verification, not even requiring a stamp.”
Still, he maintained faith in a Trump victory, and blamed the media for calling the election for Biden prematurely.
“The mainstream media was too fast to declare this race for Joe Biden,” Reschenthaler said. “Given the unrest we’ve had all summer, this is setting up civil unrest, violent protests, and looting, and the people that are to be blamed are the media who set up a false narrative that Joe Biden won this election.”
As of Thursday morning, the Electoral College stood at 253 for Biden and 214 for Trump. Candidates need 270 Electoral College votes to secure victory.
Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.