Right-wing judges threaten to toss Minnesota ballots that don't arrive by Election Day -- even if

[warmfeet]

they were sent on time.

I guess burning this country to the ground is now acceptable in the attempt to maintain power. I will not sit idly by and watch it happen.

"On Thursday, a three-judge panel for the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals tossed out a consent decree protecting mail-in ballots in Minnesota that arrive later than Election Day, as long as they are postmarked by that date.

The 2-1 order, issued by judges appointed by George W. Bush and Donald Trump, argues that the Minnesota Secretary of State usurped the authority of the legislature. The decision does not automatically throw out ballots that arrive late — but orders state election officials to set them aside, and suggests that they could be invalidated after the election."

https://www.rawstory.com/2020/10/right-wing-judges-threaten-to-toss-minnesota-ballots-that-dont-arrive-by-election-day-even-if-they-were-sent-on-time/

They do not want our votes counted. They know if they do get counted, a long journey in the wilderness awaits them, from which they may never return. Good! If this fucker steals this election, republicans will burn to the ground. I will personally help to grind their ashes into dust.

[Orrex]

1. So, basically, the GOP has abandoned even the charade of elections

For decades, their entire electoral strategy has been based on suppression, disenfranchisement, fraud, and outright theft.

Without those tactics, the party would gone extinct long ago, and good riddance.

[Bev54]

2. They want them only counted if Trump lost before their counting. n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. Are they assuming all absentee ballots come from Democrats?

Because that would be pretty stupid. Republicans also vote absentee and have for years - especially the elderly. There are indications that more Democrats are doing it this year (because we take the pandemic seriously), but do they really want to throw out the votes of all those old GOPers who live out in the country, are used to mailing their absentee ballots, and can't get to their designated ballot drop area?

[FakeNoose]

11. What about the military absentee ballots?

Those always get counted after election day.

If The Repukes want to give those up, why are they even pretending they care about election accuracy? All that shit they put us through, whining about voter ID, etc. ... I guess that was all hogwash too.

[Hoyt]

4. If one reads the ruling, it does appear the Sec of State announced the

7 day grace period without considering the state’s constitution. That’s unfortunate. The judges could have worked around it, and perhaps they did saying put them aside. Doubt it will, but wouldn’t that sux if the race comes down to those ballots.

Hopefully, voters didn’t procrastinate. If they still have their ballots, find a drop box.

In the future, with a conservative Supreme Court, Democrats need to make sure their legislation, executive orders, agency rules, etc., are as challenge proof as possible.

[Music Man]

5. Prior to the Secretary of State's decision, what was the deadline to postmark?

[Hoyt]

6. The ballots had to be RECEIVED by 8:00 PM Nov 3.

[Music Man]

8. And that's it? That would make me so nervous.

How in the world are voters supposed to know how long things will go through the mail (especially in light of the USPS' woes)? It is insanity.

Here in Kentucky, I believe it's long been law that your ballot simply had to be postmarked by Election Day, which I appreciate. A clear, time-stamped delineation that is within the voter's control.

This is thievery of the highest order. No wonder it coincides with Trump's visits to Minnesota.

[Hoyt]

10. I guess as September approaches you just make a mental note to mail it

by say October 23 or so. Or, you just drop it off at an official drop box. Or, plan on voting in-person.

That doesn’t allow anyone to screw us over. The local Democratic organizations should be ready to help the few who just can’t handle that — the sick, etc.

[moondust]

7. Was this the "USPS squeeze play"?

DeJoy slows down the mail in advance so late deliveries become commonplace, then as election approaches target mailed ballots in places where GOP-appointed judges can stop ballot counting early?

[BlueLucy]

9. If Trump is behind they will count them...

If he is ahead, they won't.