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kentuck

(113,200 posts)
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 08:26 AM Aug 2024

"Don't even think of not certifying votes or breaking the law in the next election"...

"...or you will find yourself behind bars."

I would like to hear the Attorney General of the United States give a similar warning to these folks talking about not certifying the next election.

They should understand that there will be dire consequences for them if they break our election laws.

If nothing else, it would plant the seed and let the people know what's going on behind the scenes.

18 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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"Don't even think of not certifying votes or breaking the law in the next election"... (Original Post) kentuck Aug 2024 OP
If they warn them ahead of time, how will they catch the criminals? bucolic_frolic Aug 2024 #1
It helps with motive, gab13by13 Aug 2024 #2
Ignorance of the law is no excuse Ohio Joe Aug 2024 #6
That's why most swing states have already warned their election officials Fiendish Thingy Aug 2024 #9
Don't hold your breath. onecaliberal Aug 2024 #3
K&R Think. Again. Aug 2024 #4
Me too. I've said the same. bullimiami Aug 2024 #5
Something like that would Bettie Aug 2024 #7
Failure to certify is a state, not federal, crime Fiendish Thingy Aug 2024 #8
If they try to withhold certification of electoral votes in a presidential election? kentuck Aug 2024 #11
Which federal law would it violate, and who would be charged? Fiendish Thingy Aug 2024 #13
Are you saying they can send fraudulent electors if they want? kentuck Aug 2024 #14
The topic was regarding certification of a state's election results, and refusal to certify Fiendish Thingy Aug 2024 #16
But isn't that their plan? kentuck Aug 2024 #17
I'm not sure they have a clear plan beyond delay and obstruction Fiendish Thingy Aug 2024 #18
Who are you quoting? Sogo Aug 2024 #10
I am quoting what I would like to hear our AG say. kentuck Aug 2024 #12
Hahahahahaha! You want who to do what? Stinky The Clown Aug 2024 #15

bucolic_frolic

(48,586 posts)
1. If they warn them ahead of time, how will they catch the criminals?
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 08:30 AM
Aug 2024

So much of LE is to let the rats run until you have them all.

Fiendish Thingy

(19,023 posts)
9. That's why most swing states have already warned their election officials
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 10:16 AM
Aug 2024

Of the consequences for failing to certify.

Which makes sense since that is a state, not federal crime.

Fiendish Thingy

(19,023 posts)
8. Failure to certify is a state, not federal, crime
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 10:14 AM
Aug 2024

There are other actions that could be either state or federal crimes.

Most swing states have warned their election officials of the consequences of failing to complete their duties and obstructing the certification (it’s all covered in the CREW report).

If DOJ issued the warning you recommend, it could actually have the reverse effect and increase threats and harassment of honest election workers.

That is the warning I’d like to see- harass or threaten elections workers, go to jail.

kentuck

(113,200 posts)
11. If they try to withhold certification of electoral votes in a presidential election?
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 10:19 AM
Aug 2024

Would that not violate federal election laws also?

Fiendish Thingy

(19,023 posts)
13. Which federal law would it violate, and who would be charged?
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 10:26 AM
Aug 2024

The Constitution says each state “shall” appoint electors in the manner to be determined by the state legislature.

So it’s a constitutional requirement that a state appoint electors, but how they do it is up to each state.

The only federal law I can see that would apply would be the new, revised Electoral Count Act, but AFAIK, that doesn’t have penalties for election officials, it only dictates how the federal government intervenes and proceeds in cases where the state’s determination of its slate of electors is unresolved, primarily because of candidate challenges, not failure to certify.

kentuck

(113,200 posts)
14. Are you saying they can send fraudulent electors if they want?
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 10:34 AM
Aug 2024

So long as they are in the majority?

Then, I guess it is already fixed.

Fiendish Thingy

(19,023 posts)
16. The topic was regarding certification of a state's election results, and refusal to certify
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 11:21 AM
Aug 2024

Sending fraudulent electors is indeed both a state and federal crime, but that’s not what the topic was about.
The Electoral Count Act prevents a state from changing its laws around selecting electors at the last minute, so who is in the majority in the legislature or elections boards doesn’t matter. AFAIK, all swing states award their electors to the winner of the state’s popular vote, and any slate of electors that doesn’t reflect that would be fraudulent.

Fiendish Thingy

(19,023 posts)
18. I'm not sure they have a clear plan beyond delay and obstruction
Sun Aug 25, 2024, 06:53 PM
Aug 2024

In any case, the CREW report details all the steps the swing states have previously taken against certification refusers (all of which succeeded), and the tools in place for this year.

I expect a certain amount of chaos and confusion, but I expect the state executive branch will prevail.

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