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Georgia legislators come out in support of the Texas lawsuit seeking to overturn the election in Georgia.
(h/t @AnthonyMKreis)
https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/22/22O155/163469/20201210202722129_22O155%20Amici%20Brief%20GA%20State%20Sem%20%20Willian%20Ligon%20et%20al.pdf
Yes, this is really getting weird.
They're alleging that their own officials violated state law and the Constitution.
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(h/t @AnthonyMKreis)
https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/22/22O155/163469/20201210202722129_22O155%20Amici%20Brief%20GA%20State%20Sem%20%20Willian%20Ligon%20et%20al.pdf
Yes, this is really getting weird.
They're alleging that their own officials violated state law and the Constitution.
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Their complaint (I'm tweeting as a read) is against Republican Secretary of State Raffensperger and the elections board (the "Board").
They allege that the Board violated the law.
Notice that they're complaining about actions that occurred "in the months before November 3.
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They allege that the Board violated the law.
Notice that they're complaining about actions that occurred "in the months before November 3.
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Sorry to scare people. By weird I meant bizarre. This stuff has no chance of succeeding at the Supreme Court.
Consider the politics. A few weeks before the runoff election, Republicans in Georgia are suing other Republicans.
3/ https://twitter.com/MerrittKelly1/status/1337247367888687106
Consider the politics. A few weeks before the runoff election, Republicans in Georgia are suing other Republicans.
3/ https://twitter.com/MerrittKelly1/status/1337247367888687106
The case going to the Supreme Court is a trial, not an appeal. (The Court has "original" jurisdiction over disputes between states.)
Instead of defending Georgia, these legislatures are joining another states' lawsuit against members of their own party.
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Instead of defending Georgia, these legislatures are joining another states' lawsuit against members of their own party.
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Back to reading. . .
One of the complaints was that Raffensperger (no doubt because of the enormous number of voters who requested mail-in ballots) authorized the counting to begin early.
Okay . . . so? What's the harm?
No harm.
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One of the complaints was that Raffensperger (no doubt because of the enormous number of voters who requested mail-in ballots) authorized the counting to begin early.
Okay . . . so? What's the harm?
No harm.
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They were counted early. So . . . throw them all out?
We have the same remedy problem we've seen in the other lawsuits. Even IF they shouldn't have been counted early, this doesn't overturn an election.
Remember Trump wanted the counting to stop at midnight.
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We have the same remedy problem we've seen in the other lawsuits. Even IF they shouldn't have been counted early, this doesn't overturn an election.
Remember Trump wanted the counting to stop at midnight.
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Raffensperger knew he'd have about 5 million ballots to count.
I can look it up, but I'm pretty sure all of the boxes are required to have a 24 hour security camera on them, and they did.
So I'm not sure this is factually correct. Moreover, there's no evidence of harm.
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I can look it up, but I'm pretty sure all of the boxes are required to have a 24 hour security camera on them, and they did.
So I'm not sure this is factually correct. Moreover, there's no evidence of harm.
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This one is really interesting. (I almost said 'weird' but last time I used that word you all got scared
)
They object to a change in the signature verification process. Why?
Hmmm.
Instead of only one person checking signatures, each must be checked by three people.
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)They object to a change in the signature verification process. Why?
Hmmm.
Instead of only one person checking signatures, each must be checked by three people.
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If I'm reading this correctly, this change Raffensperger made has the "laudable effect of increasing the fairness of the review. . ." but puts a strain on personnel.
Yup. Election workers had to work super hard to make sure it was fair.
So . . . overturn the election?
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Yup. Election workers had to work super hard to make sure it was fair.
So . . . overturn the election?
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Yup, that was the complaint. That having 3 people instead of 1 review each signature makes things more fair, but "hinders the reviewing process."
At the same time, they didn't like it when Raffensperger wanted to start counting early, which would facilitate the process.
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At the same time, they didn't like it when Raffensperger wanted to start counting early, which would facilitate the process.
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Here we come to the crux of the matter.
#1 image: Having 3 officials review each signature instead of 1 meant that fewer ballots were rejected.
#2: Therefore, because fewer were rejected, it must not have been a good system.
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#1 image: Having 3 officials review each signature instead of 1 meant that fewer ballots were rejected.
#2: Therefore, because fewer were rejected, it must not have been a good system.
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Now we have both math and logic!
The difference between the number of ballots rejected this time and last time was greater than the margin of victory, therefore, these changes affected the outcome of the election, so throw it all out.
(that one gets two facepalms)
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The difference between the number of ballots rejected this time and last time was greater than the margin of victory, therefore, these changes affected the outcome of the election, so throw it all out.
(that one gets two facepalms)
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The allegation is that these changes created the potential for fraud.
Problem #1: Laches. Why are they complaining now? Did the not know about any of this at the time?
You can't wait until the outcome to decide if you like the procedures.
Problem #2: The remedy is absurd.
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Problem #1: Laches. Why are they complaining now? Did the not know about any of this at the time?
You can't wait until the outcome to decide if you like the procedures.
Problem #2: The remedy is absurd.
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The voters did nothing wrong. There is no evidence that the voters did anything wrong. But throw out all the votes because we don't like what Raffensperger did!
The code doesn't provide for this, but also doesn't say it can't be done.
Notice the equal protection claim.
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The code doesn't provide for this, but also doesn't say it can't be done.
Notice the equal protection claim.
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The idea is that Fulton County took steps to increase voter turnout, but these same steps were not taken in other counties.
Okaaay. Next time, tell the other counties to get with the program!
The remedy (throw out all the ballots) is nonsensical.
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Okaaay. Next time, tell the other counties to get with the program!
The remedy (throw out all the ballots) is nonsensical.
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This lawsuit is utterly without merit.
What makes it weird is that state legislators agree with Texas that because of steps taken (basically) to increase turnout and facilitate the counting, every voter in Gerogia should be disenfranchised.
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What makes it weird is that state legislators agree with Texas that because of steps taken (basically) to increase turnout and facilitate the counting, every voter in Gerogia should be disenfranchised.
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The time to address these issues was before the election, not after certification.
What about the 8 Republicans elected to the Georgia House? Do they keep their seats?
Do they think they can overturn Biden's win without overturning downballot elections?
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What about the 8 Republicans elected to the Georgia House? Do they keep their seats?
Do they think they can overturn Biden's win without overturning downballot elections?
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My prediction.
This will not result in Trump staying in office.
However, over next two years (until the midterms) expect Republicans will take steps to make voting as hard as possible.
The way to push back against this is locally.
Get involved in local politics.
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This will not result in Trump staying in office.
However, over next two years (until the midterms) expect Republicans will take steps to make voting as hard as possible.
The way to push back against this is locally.
Get involved in local politics.
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I'll add one more: If the Democrats can take control of the Senate, they'll be able to pass election reform legislation to help combat this.
No matter what happens in the GA runoff elections, the way forward—the way to protect democracy—is more civic engagement.
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No matter what happens in the GA runoff elections, the way forward—the way to protect democracy—is more civic engagement.
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I see it as an unintended consequence.
Trump is entirely in this for himself. He's stirring up all these lawsuits for his own personal benefit.
At the same time, though, this is all giving ideas to the Republicans: Hmm. Yes..throw out the ballots!
https://twitter.com/persephone_i/status/1337268220571607040
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Trump is entirely in this for himself. He's stirring up all these lawsuits for his own personal benefit.
At the same time, though, this is all giving ideas to the Republicans: Hmm. Yes..throw out the ballots!
https://twitter.com/persephone_i/status/1337268220571607040
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