Democracy Dies in Not Certifying Elections

[George K]

How Democrats Could Disqualify Trump If the Supreme Court Doesn’t

Near the end of the Supreme Court’s oral arguments about whether Colorado could exclude former President Donald Trump from its ballot as an insurrectionist, the attorney representing voters from the state offered a warning to the justices—one evoking the January 6 riot that had set the case in motion.

By this point in the hearing, the justices had made clear that they didn’t like the idea of allowing a single state to kick Trump out of the presidential race, and they didn’t appear comfortable with the Court doing so either. Sensing that Trump would likely stay on the ballot, the attorney, Jason Murray, said that if the Supreme Court didn’t resolve the question of Trump’s eligibility, “it could come back with a vengeance”—after the election, when Congress meets once again to count and certify the votes of the Electoral College.

Murray and other legal scholars say that, absent clear guidance from the Supreme Court, a Trump win could lead to a constitutional crisis in Congress. Democrats would have to choose between confirming a winner many of them believe is ineligible and defying the will of voters who elected him. Their choice could be decisive: As their victory in a House special election in New York last week demonstrated, Democrats have a serious chance of winning a majority in Congress in November, even if Trump recaptures the presidency on the same day. If that happens, they could have the votes to prevent him from taking office.

In interviews, senior House Democrats would not commit to certifying a Trump win, saying they would do so only if the Supreme Court affirms his eligibility. But during oral arguments, liberal and conservative justices alike seemed inclined to dodge the question of his eligibility altogether and throw the decision to Congress.

[Mik]

Sounds insurrectiony.

[LuFins Dad]

Election Deniers.

[Jolly]

In the World According to Jon, 'choot 'em!

[Copper]

The events of 1/6 remain a harmless world of duffesses and selfies.

And I couldn't imagine anything more serious happening back then.

But if Mr. Trump is somehow kept off of ballots, I could imagine more dangerous events.

[Horace]

The "adults in the room" can be trusted to throw their tantrums with everything around Trump. Sure, let's have a constitutional crisis.

[taiwan_girl]

Sounds like they are reading President Trump's guidebook.

"Vote against certifying the rightful winner of the election and keep me in power"

[George K]

@taiwan_girl said in Democracy Dies in Not Certifying Elections:

Sounds like they are reading President Trump's guidebook.

"Vote against certifying the rightful winner of the election and keep me in power"

Indeed. However, it’s different when they do it don’t you know.