“We’ve had elections during wars. We’ve had elections during depressions. We’ve had elections during civil unrest. We should have our elections when it’s scheduled in November, and I’m sure we will.”
On Thursday, President Trump floated the idea of delaying the November election. It is something that has never happened in the United States.
With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history. It will be a great embarrassment to the USA. Delay the Election until people can properly, securely and safely vote???
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2020
He cited his continued claims that the election will be inaccurate with the use of mail-in voting.
The President does not have the authority to delay an election, rather the Constitution gives Congress the power to set the date for voting.
Many lawmakers from both parties very quickly said the likelihood an election would be delayed is very low. Senator Marsha Blackburn responded to the President's idea during an interview on Fox News Thursday.
"I served on the election committee in my county in the late 80s; so I know that our local election commissions do everything they can possibly do to make sure these elections are fair. The elections are set. They're going to take place and I don't think you're going to see them stopped.
Other Tennessee representatives and senators took to social media to express their disapproval.
I do not support moving or delaying the 2020 election. It is up to Congress to make that decision and this year’s election is still scheduled to be held on November 3rd as planned.
“We’ve had elections during wars. We’ve had elections during depressions. We’ve had elections during civil unrest. We should have our elections when it’s scheduled in November, and I’m sure we will.”
Trump has NO power to delay the election. Only Congress can do so – as expressly stated in the Constitution – and there is no chance that Congress will delay the election.
Crazy talk from the White House while Americans are out of a job and losing loved ones due to COVID-19. Disgusting.
