President Donald Trump says it may be necessary to delay the election to ensure Americans can vote in person safely to avoid an election where many millions of votes will likely be cast with mail-in ballots.
But House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) says not so fast.
In a tweet, Pelosi cited the clause in the Constitution that states the Congress — not the president — has the power to set the date of the election.
Pelosi wrote, “Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution states: ‘The Congress may determine the Time of choosing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.'”
Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution states:
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 30, 2020
“The Congress may determine the Time of choosing the Electors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; which Day shall be the same throughout the United States.” https://t.co/NIaa7mQVnn
Her comments come after Trump took to Twitter to raise concerns about the mail-in voting and suggested delaying the election to ensure that Americans can safely go to the polls without fear of contracting COVID-19.
Trump also received criticism from Republicans:
Reminder: Election dates are set by Congress. And I will oppose any attempts to delay the #2020Election. https://t.co/ptjG86YiF6
— Adam Kinzinger (@RepKinzinger) July 30, 2020
Sen. Ted Cruz said: “Election fraud is a serious problem we need to stop it and fight it, but no the election should not be delayed.”
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) July 30, 2020
Sen. Marco Rubio said of Trump tweet: “I wish he hadn’t said that, but it’s not going to change: We are going to have an election in Novembe”
Sen. Lindsey Graham told me this morning about Trump’s call to delay the election: “I don’t think that’s a particularly good idea.” He declined further comment.
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) July 30, 2020
“Not answering any questions,” said Sen. Joni Ernst, who is in a tough race, when I asked about Trump’s tweet.
In a tweet, Trump said, “With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history.”
“It will be a great embarrassment to the USA. Delay the Election until people can properly, securely, and safely vote?” He suggested.
With Universal Mail-In Voting (not Absentee Voting, which is good), 2020 will be the most INACCURATE & FRAUDULENT Election in history. It will be a great embarrassment to the USA. Delay the Election until people can properly, securely and safely vote???
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 30, 2020
Trump has repeatedly raised concerns about mail-in voting and suggested that expanding access to mail-in voting to ensure Americans can vote without risking exposure to COVID-19 will open to door to massive voter fraud.
However, there is no evidence to support Trump’s claim.
Democrats have previously raised concerns that Trump may try to delay the election, as IJR reported.
In May, Trump’s son in law Jared Kushner was asked in an interview with Time Magazine if there was a chance the election would be delayed. He responded, “That’s too far in the future to tell, nothing that I’m aware of now.”
When asked if the election would be held on November 3, he said, “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.”
Kushner later clarified his comments, “I have not been involved in, nor am I aware of any discussions about trying to change the date of the Presidential election.”
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden previously suggested that Trump may try to change the election date.
At the time, Trump flatly rejected the claim that he would try to move the election, “I never even thought of changing the date of the election. Why would I do that? November 3, it’s a good number.”
“No, I look forward to that election. That was just made up propaganda, not by him, but by some of the many people writing little statements,” Trump added.