This is written to alert our readers to the importance of being prepared for what our country could face between now and election day.
So far, President Trump has failed in his efforts to assert federal controls over elections. First, he tried to get his hands on voter registration records. Then he pushed congressional action to require documentation before citizens could register to vote. Failing that he went to work trying to use the Post Office to make voting by mail difficult…that too failed. All this points to the fact he ignored the Constitution which says elections are administered by the states.
Election day has not arrived when the votes are to be counted…but yesterday Trump directed the Attorney General of the United States to file a lawsuit that stops Alaska certifying the Senate Race if a Republican does not win. This is Trump’s first formal effort to challenge election results in the midterms!
It is well established that President Trump uses fear and chaos to govern. As a result, election officials across the country are preparing for what could be the “election from hell.” Those of us who in the past have voted in person know it takes people of all ages, physical condition, experience and commitment to run an election in the 177,708 voting precincts in America. Therefore, it is incumbent on all of us to stand up for these officials who may face challenge and harassment sent by Trump to their precinct.
Trump and his crew will attempt political interference whenever and wherever to disrupt our most precious right…voting. Election experts interviewed by Reuters identified at least eight different scenarios that Trump could use to undermine the vote count, including alleging issues with voting machines, pressuring state officials to change vote counts, seizing ballots or voting machines, bringing charges against election officials, pressure Congress not to certify results or declaring a national emergency that could give him greater federal powers over the election.
America for more than two decades has depended on international election observers monitoring elections. Trump breaking tradition has said they will not be welcome for the 2026 mid-terms. The United States, Russia and Belarus have rejected international observers. This says Trump wants no one looking over his shoulder…when it comes to the election.
What if former Presidents of the United States ask the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe for their Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights to come as observers!
Our charge is to have a plan to vote…vote early if possible…and be alert to any misconduct!