We know that the Department of Homeland Security's 'Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency' issued a joint statement last month announcing that "The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history."
And, yes….Attorney General William Barr recently stated, "To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election."
So what? That is like me saying 'Hey, someone slammed into the side of your car but it is still drivable. Don't worry about it.'
To me, these statements are similar to the Closing Ceremony tradition of the Chairman of the International Olympic Committee assessing every 4 years that 'these have been best games ever.' Does this mean that the previous Olympiads were awful? Is the current claim just placating the current host city? Or were the other host cities only 'Most Exceptional' as Juan Antonio Samaranch proclaimed in Atlanta in 1996?
The comments are those of Establishment officials saying that the Establishment was pretty solid this time around. They are placating their own. Remember the saying, 'Good enough for government work?'
Their words are not ringing endorsements. Their words and statements leave open the possibility that there was some degree of fraud in 2020 and previous elections. Those same words also lend some credence to those who feel this election was stolen.
Remember that just before many of the elections were certified that Attorney General Barr issued a directive allowing US attorneys to pursue "substantial allegations" of voting irregularities.
Each statement also indicates that there was a level of corruption. They indicate that there was some degree of malfeasance. The statements indirectly admit that there were errors & omissions, and oversteps. Voters with nefarious intentions do exist, be they public or private citizens.
If many say that 'All votes must be counted' then it is also true that all claims must be investigated. A few dead people voting here. A malfunctioning machine there. A missing trailer somewhere else. What about the suitcases of ballots under this table? Did that billionaire's money dump pedal influence in key precincts? What is a 'pristine ballot' and why were there so many that looked alike?
What does it all matter? There wasn't enough to change any results, right?
Officials must look in to the allegations and provide honest analysis. Rectify the situations, observations, and suspicions in order to ensure voter integrity and confidence going forward in future elections. This is an opportunity to put on a great display for democracy. Show the world how it is done properly.
Voter fraud does not NEED to be widespread in order to be effective. It only takes a few fraudulent precincts or poll workers to affect many local or state elections. Should the former election judge in Philadelphia who pleaded guilty to fraud earlier this year NOT have been charged? After all, it was only one judge in one precinct messing with only a few dozen votes, right?
No. Investigate and prosecute where there is guilt. People died for this right to vote. Make examples of the scoundrels.
Committees in several states are holding hearings. Maybe something will come out of them. Maybe something won't. Average citizens are giving sworn testimony as to issues they personally witnessed. Some incidents are very credible. Others are merely suspicions.
How do you boil a frog? Slowly.
Be honest with yourself. Election fraud on a mass scale will take place quietly and prior to any election. It will be through redrawing congressional maps, evolving election laws, or prohibiting a legitimate third party ballot access 6 weeks prior to the election. It will be 'death by a thousand cuts' from the inside the system. It will not be overt and glaring. In fact, it may not even be intentional. It could just be a series of interestingly timed events and seemingly innocent changes.
This brings us to Pennsylvania and Act 77.
The bipartisan effort to make voting more convenient was signed into law by Governor Tom Wolf in October of 2019. It ushered in a new mail-in alternative for voters. Did the law that was supposed to make voting easier and more accessible simply allow for the possibility of chaos or, at the very least, acrimony? Some voters are feeling that the law & overhaul of election options, however well intentioned, and the guidance that followed actually undercut integrity and confidence in the vote. Are these efforts by design or merely coincidental? This too must be answered.
State Republicans claim Governor Wolf, state Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar, and others quickly undermined the protections that the law promised. The Republicans are asking the US Supreme Court to consider their lawsuit that claims that 'pre-canvassing' or inspecting ballots prior to election day, accepting mail-in ballots after 8pm on election day, counting defective ballots or the uneven implementation of correcting or 'curing' erred ballots are unconstitutional.
House Speaker Bryan Cutler and House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff are even urging for the objection of the state's electoral votes over the results. The deadline for resolving election disputes it Tuesday, Dec. 8. The Electors are scheduled to meet December 14.
Secretary Boockvar claims her guidance to counties in the aftermath of Act 77 and the ensuing court cases was uniform. Governor Wolf tweeted out Friday night that the election was 'fair and secure' and that it is time to move on.
We may be leaning in that direction but, after 4 years of national resistance, some feel a few questions may need to be answered first.
Aside from AG Barr, all of the leaders mentioned in this op-ed have been guests on the KDKA Radio Morning Show. They are always welcome to join us in order to intelligently discuss their concerns, offer solutions, and/or provide the words necessary for citizens to maintain or regain confidence in our system.
Have a great day.
Kevin Battle is co-host of the KDKA Radio Morning Show with Larry Richert. He is not affiliated with a political party and wonders if his in-person vote counted because he put the ballot in the scanner upside-down & backwards.
