The Republican Plan to Challenge a Harris Victory
15Digest
This podcast delves into the potential for election challenges in Georgia, specifically focusing on the efforts of Republican officials to influence the election certification process. The podcast highlights the takeover of the Georgia State Election Board by conservative members and the passing of a rule allowing local officials to conduct "reasonable inquiries" during certification. This rule has raised concerns about potential delays and manipulation of the process, potentially creating a path to challenge a potential Harris victory. The podcast then explores a potential worst-case scenario where a close election in Georgia, with the new rules in place, could lead to delays in certification, creating uncertainty and potentially undermining the legitimacy of the results. The podcast discusses the legal challenges and safeguards in place to prevent such a scenario. The podcast further examines the potential role of Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger in the event of a contested election. Both officials have previously resisted efforts to overturn election results, but their actions this time around remain uncertain. Their stance could be crucial in determining the outcome of any legal challenges to the election results. Finally, the podcast discusses the growing distrust in elections among Republican voters, fueled by the 2020 election and the ongoing efforts to undermine the electoral process. The podcast highlights the increasing politicization of election-related positions and the potential for future challenges to election integrity.
Outlines
Election Challenges in Georgia
This chapter discusses the efforts of Republican officials in Georgia to influence the election certification process, potentially creating a path to challenge a potential Harris victory. The focus is on the takeover of the Georgia State Election Board by conservative members and the passing of a rule allowing local officials to conduct "reasonable inquiries" during certification.
Potential Worst-Case Scenario
This chapter explores a potential worst-case scenario where a close election in Georgia, with the new rules in place, could lead to delays in certification, creating uncertainty and potentially undermining the legitimacy of the results. The chapter discusses the legal challenges and safeguards in place to prevent such a scenario.
Role of Key Republican Officials
This chapter examines the potential role of Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger in the event of a contested election. Both officials have previously resisted efforts to overturn election results, but their actions this time around remain uncertain.
Erosion of Trust in Elections
This chapter discusses the growing distrust in elections among Republican voters, fueled by the 2020 election and the ongoing efforts to undermine the electoral process. The chapter highlights the increasing politicization of election-related positions and the potential for future challenges to election integrity.
Keywords
Election Certification
The formal process by which election results are verified and declared official. It involves verifying vote counts, resolving any discrepancies, and issuing a final declaration of the winner.
Reasonable Inquiry
A term used in the new Georgia election rule, allowing local officials to conduct investigations into potential election irregularities during the certification process. This has raised concerns about potential delays and manipulation of the process.
Election Denier
Individuals who reject the legitimacy of election results, often based on unfounded claims of fraud or irregularities. They have become increasingly influential in Republican politics, posing a threat to democratic processes.
Electoral Counterform Act
A law passed by Congress in the aftermath of the January 6th insurrection, aimed at strengthening the federal certification process and preventing future attempts to overturn election results.
Legal Arms Race
The escalating legal efforts by both Democrats and Republicans to prepare for potential post-election litigation. This involves assembling large legal teams, filing pre-emptive lawsuits, and strategizing for legal challenges to election results.
Q&A
How have Republican officials in Georgia sought to influence the election certification process?
Republican officials in Georgia have taken over the state election board, passing a rule allowing local officials to conduct "reasonable inquiries" during certification, potentially creating a path to challenge a potential Harris victory.
What is the potential worst-case scenario for election integrity in Georgia?
A close election in Georgia, with the new rules in place, could lead to delays in certification, creating uncertainty and potentially undermining the legitimacy of the results. This could escalate into a political crisis and potentially even a challenge to the results in Congress.
What role might Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger play in a contested election?
Both officials have previously resisted efforts to overturn election results, but their actions this time around remain uncertain. Their stance could be crucial in determining the outcome of any legal challenges to the election results.
How has the 2020 election impacted trust in elections among Republican voters?
The 2020 election and the ongoing efforts to undermine the electoral process have fueled distrust in elections among Republican voters. This distrust has led to the increasing politicization of election-related positions and the potential for future challenges to election integrity.
Show Notes
At the Democratic National Convention, party officials are celebrating polls showing that Kamala Harris is now competitive with Donald Trump in every major swing state across the country.
But in one of those swing states, Republicans have laid the groundwork to challenge a potential Harris victory this fall, by taking over an obscure, unelected board.
Nick Corasaniti, a Times reporter who focuses on voting and elections, explains.
Guest: Nick Corasaniti, a reporter covering national politics for The New York Times.
Background reading:
- The unelected body that shapes voting rules in Georgia has a new conservative majority, whose members question the state’s 2020 results. They now have new power to influence the results in 2024.
- Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are in close races across Arizona, Georgia, Nevada and North Carolina, crucial swing states that Mr. Trump had seemed poised to run away with.
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
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