Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), the Republican chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, is rejecting the whispers about the possibility of November’s general election being postponed.
The 1875 Election Law states that elections are held “the Tuesday next after the 1st Monday in November,” as The Hill notes.
Blunt noted that not even wars have interfered with past election dates.
“We’ve had elections in the middle of the Civil War and in the middle of World War II,” Blunt said, adding, “I can think of no justification for changing the elections.”
Blunt’s comments come one day after White House Senior Advisor Jared Kushner did not rule out the possibility of the November election being postponed.
During an interview with Time magazine, Kushner was asked if there was any scenario that could lead to a possible delay in the election, as previously reported on IJR.
He responded, “It’s not my decision to make so, I’m not sure I can commit one way or the other, but right now, that’s the plan.”
Since Kushner did not completely rule out the possibility of postponement, his subtle remarks garnered an array of reactions with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also calling Kushner out.
On Thursday, Clinton took to Twitter, saying, “I can’t believe I have to write this sentence, but the president’s son-in-law doesn’t get to decide when the election is.”
I can’t believe I have to write this sentence, but the president's son-in-law doesn't get to decide when the election is. https://t.co/7CrpHny6TF
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) May 13, 2020
Like Clinton, other Democratic lawmakers and leaders have also expressed concern about the possibility of President Donald Trump mulling over the postponement of the upcoming election.
Jared Kushner can't commit to a date for our federal election?
— Rep. Mark Pocan (@RepMarkPocan) May 13, 2020
When did the President's incompetent son-in-law become the person who decides when we have our elections?
Neither you nor the president has the authority to decide when we vote.https://t.co/u3AoyYKn6V
Jared Kushner (and for that matter the Executive Branch) has no legal authority to determine the timing of the election.
— Mike Levin (@MikeLevin) May 13, 2020
Kushner shouldn’t be commenting on this, or really much of anything. He also shouldn’t have a security clearance. https://t.co/2ebveXoLWO
So election schedules are now up to Jared Kushner? I don’t remember the “Jared” clause in the Constitution. https://t.co/wfy9xDdl4Y
— Garrett M. Graff (@vermontgmg) May 12, 2020
In fact, presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden previously insisted that he expects a call for delay from Trump.
“Mark my words, I think he is going to try to kick back the election some, come up with some rationale why it can’t be held,” Biden said in April.
Despite criticism, Kushner’s office has quickly fired back at Clinton’s comments to reiterate his previous remarks, refuting the idea of him signaling a delay.
White House adviser, Avi Berkowitz, responded, “He literally said: ‘It’s not my decision to make.'”
It is not Kusner’s choice as it is Congress’ decision to make regarding altering the date of the general election, as a senior administration official told CNN.