It is common sense that in a crucial presidential election in which an unprecedented number of Pennsylvanians will vote by mail that the General Assembly would enact legislation allowing county elections offices to begin tallying ballots before Nov. 3. (Only Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Mississippi and Alabama prohibit this.)
Why is such legislation not law? Because General Assembly Republicans insist on doing the president’s bidding: adding to a bill the elimination of drop boxes and allowing “poll watchers” to be able to enter polling stations that are outside their home counties.
The intransigence of the Republicans has destructive potential. The president has asked his supporters to enter polling places and “watch very carefully,” which will intimidate voters. Donald Trump Jr. has called for “an army of able-bodied people” to provide “election security,” another threat to democracy. The president has provided conflicting answers when asked whether he will accept the result of the election and enable a peaceful transfer of power if he loses, most recently stating, when pressed, that he would. Is his most recent position to be believed?
Ballot-counting in Pennsylvania surely will not be completed on Election Night under current law. The president is likely to claim victory in Pennsylvania before a final count, and civil unrest may ensue as a dispute and acrimony extend over weeks.
All Pennsylvanians should hold Republican representatives and senators responsible if their unwillingness to act brings about chaos and violence.
Oren Spiegler
Peters