A week or so ago, Rolling Stone published this:
To whit:
In recent months, Trump has convened a series of in-person meetings and conference calls to discuss laying the groundwork to challenge the 2022 midterm election results, four people familiar with the conversations tell Rolling Stone. In these conversations, pro-Trump groups, attorneys, Republican Party activists, and MAGA diehards often discuss the type of scorched-earth legal tactics they could deploy.
And they’ve gamed out scenarios for how to aggressively challenge elections, particularly ones in which a winner is not declared on Election Night. If there’s any hint of doubt about the winners, the teams plan to wage aggressive court campaigns and launch a media blitz. Trump himself set the blueprint for this on Election Night 2020, when — with the race far from decided — he went on national television to declare: “Frankly, we did win this election.”
Over at Elon's place, J.J. Abbott tweeted:
What is your media outlet doing to be prepared not to amplify false, misleading and anti-democratic narratives about Pennsylvania’s election and results?
— J.J. Abbott 📮 (@jjabbott) October 28, 2022
J. J. (Hey, J.J.! Do you prefer "Good Times" or "Abbot and Costello"
references? 'Cause I got both.) follows that up with a couple of good sources
for info.
Leigh Chapman, Pennsylvania’s top election official explained during a Wednesday interview that because of a state law that does not allow officials to begin counting mail-in ballots until 7 a.m. on Election Day, results for Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial and U.S. Senate elections might not be available for “days” afterwards. Since Democrats are more likely to trust and participate in mail-in voting while Republicans are more likely to vote in-person, early tabulations could show Republican candidates with a lead that is then whittled down as mail-in ballots are tabulated over time.
And (as far as this non-expert can tell) this is the law that says so.
From Title 25 § 3146.8
[1.1] The county board of elections shall meet no earlier than seven o'clock A.M. on election day to pre-canvass all ballots received prior to the meeting.
And:
[2] The county board of elections shall meet no earlier than the close of polls on the day of the election and no later than the third day following the election to begin canvassing absentee ballots and mail-in ballots not included in the pre-canvass meeting.
Something the Republican led legislature could have changed, but they didn't.
Negotiations between the Republican-led legislature and Gov. Tom Wolf to let counties begin opening mail ballots in Pennsylvania before Election Day appeared to collapse Wednesday, setting up a potential nightmare scenario that some fear could leave the state counting millions of ballots for days after Nov. 3.
The Democratic governor and legislative leaders had been negotiating behind closed doors as recently as Tuesday to change the election code after months of inaction. But the General Assembly adjourned Wednesday and is not scheduled to reconvene until Nov. 10, a week after the election.
So next time you hear your crazy MAGA friends question the authenticity of the "sudden" influx of "democrat votes" posted a day or so after election day, now you know that this is a situation the Republicans in Harrisburg could have changed, but simply chose not to.
They want it this way so they can wail about "election integrity."
Abbot also posted this link.
Let's take a look at what PA has to say about:
Ballot Security:
Ballots cast in PA are subject to strict security measures known as chain-of-custody requirements. Votes cannot be added, changed or deleted. Election results are audited for accuracy.
Voting Machines:
PA counties choose what voting systems they use. Federal and state laws require counties have verifiable, auditable paper records and that voting machines are kept secure and tested for accuracy.
And remember, when our MAGA friends start in on Act 77, remind them that both the GOP led House and GOP led Senate voted for it.
Including St Sen (and right wing nut job) Doug Mastriano and St Rep (and right wing nut job) Daryl Metcalfe.
J. J. posted two good sources of info so take your pick (I'll take the shovel.)
My profound Apologies: I could not resist the Abbott and Costello joke.
