In James McGinnis’s article, “How Long Will PA Voter Count Take?” he quotes long-time legislator Gene DeGirolamo, “We’ve got to be able to give the people some sense of the results on election night.” and “If we don’t, in my opinion, this could create a constitutional crisis.” The genesis of such a crisis has been created over many election cycles by the media scrambling to be the first to announce state and national winners.
This alleged calamity has been exacerbated by the president’s unfounded statements about an “inaccurate and fraudulent election” while possibly not accepting the results of the election (should be appear to be the loser) and his demand to know the results on November 3rd.
The goal of our 2020 elections be providing the unhindered and easily accessible opportunity for every registered voter to cast their ballot and ensuring the results of the election are fully and accurately counted.
Since having one’s income taxes postmarked by 11:59 PM on April 15th is the gold standard, there is no reason mail-in ballots postmarked on or before the close of the polls on November 3rd should not be valid and counted, even if not received by some arbitrary, post-election date through no fault of the voter. Otherwise those voters are being unfairly disenfranchised of their most precious constitutional right.
If Republicans and Democrats truly believe free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democracy, its institutions and our liberties, they must aggressively encourage and actively support making them as accessible as possible to all Americans and dispel conspiracy theories that short-term delays in reporting final totals is not proof of election fraud.
