As I write this the 2020 election is 11+ days past. The news media, for the most part (there are still some that have the integrity to not call it yet) has called it a win for Biden. The issue there is, it is not over. News organizations, no matter which one, do NOT call the election results. They can REPORT election results. They use algorithms and projections along with exit polls and real vote counts to forecast a winner of each race. The State legislatures must certify the results and appoint the electors. As of this writing only eight States have certified their results. (that is not unusual, the dates for certification is still in the future for the others - I am not implying anything, just reporting) Now, I am not saying that the odds are not showing that Biden/Harris have won. It would be a long shot for President Trump to hold on to his office. But, it the race is NOT over.
Some are not being reported at all, and most are not being reported widely; but as best I can find there are about 120 sworn affidavits from people alleging fraud or voting procedural violations of some sort. Why did I highlight "sworn affidavits"? That is critical to why the election results are not settled as of yet. A sworn affidavit carries some power of law. A person that swears to an affidavit is subject to perjury charges if the affidavit is proven to have been presented falsely or in bad faith. Unlike hearsay - where someone knows someone that knows a poll worker that saw another poll worker trash a ballot, a sworn affidavit is where someone states under oath (and subsequent penalty of perjury - 1 year in prison and fines for most State violations, and 5 years in prison and fines for Federal violations if found guilty) that they are witness to or have first-hand knowledge of voter fraud or a violation of voting laws, rules, and/or regulations.
The people that swore out these affidavits are of from all walks of life: postal workers (FYI, the most reported on postal worker that had a follow up story that said he recanted - he says he did not recant and has supposedly filed a formal affidavit), a former assistant State's Attorney, poll workers - both volunteers and paid staff, as well as voters. There are also staff of some of the buildings used that have supposedly filed affidavits of things they saw. I could get into some specifics of the claims (the ones that have been made public, most have not - and as I opened with, the lack of interest in any fraud that may have helped Biden makes it very difficult to find details anywhere). There are some out there if you care to look - beyond the headlines. I will leave that to you.
As I said at the outset - it is highly likely that the next President will be Joe Biden. However, if over 100 affidavits alleging problems with the procedures and/or counts are not followed up with, how are we to have any faith in the election process in the future? Are we just to be happy when our candidate wins? "We'll get 'em next time!" is not a great message to instill voter confidence. A quick statement on 2016 and now - it amazes me that a large number of Clinton supporters/Democrats still believe there was interference/meddling in the 2016 Presidential race enough to change the outcome after hearings, special prosecutors, and rulings that found the opposite; but now just want to "move on, Joe won" is their cry now!
The other reason that all this needs to be followed up with besides the integrity of the election process is that it COULD make a difference. The States of Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin all have multiple lawsuits and affidavits to work through before their results are final. (unless the State Legislatures decide to validate results with these things pending - which I think they can do, at least in some States). I am going to leave Michigan, Nevada and Wisconsin out of the further discussion as the lead in each is statistically large enough that something very odd would have to have occurred for the results to have been altered enough to change. I will note that Wisconsin is having a total hand recount however as I write this, so we shall see. Also, there are many of the affidavits that cover problems in Michigan, so this too is open to change, however small.
So one by one:
Arizona - Biden (FYI, I am not going to write Biden/Harris each time - no snub meant to Ms. Harris, just quicker) is ahead at this point by just over 10,000 votes out of 3,300,000+ votes cast or 0.31% of the total. This was one that Fox News called early (earlier than almost anyone else) and got some heat for it. Some others have called it, and some still show it undecided.
Georgia - Biden is shown as the leader here also, but by even a smaller percentage - 0.29% of the total 4,930,000+ votes cast, or just over 14,000 votes. This State is one where it is alleged (by sworn affidavit) that thousands of votes were incorrectly counted. The votes were said to have been not filed/filled out properly or not received on time. There is a recount being done here now as well.
Pennsylvania - Biden is shown as the leader here by just under 1% (0.97%) or just shy of 66,000 votes out of the almost 7,000,000 total votes cast. I am including this one as there are affidavits concerning large numbers of illegitimate ballots being brought in and added to the totals in Philadelphia. There are also documented cases of Republican (and in at least 1 case a Democrat being removed for filing a complaint as to how things were being done) poll judges not being allowed to view the counting process.
If these States are taken out of the total for Biden, the Electoral count is 253 - 238 in favor of Biden. The Electoral votes for each are;
Arizona - 11, Georgia - 16, Pennsylvania - 20
You can see if these three are in play, it can change the outcome. The path is much easier for Biden than for Trump, but both could win. If you include any one of the other States with lawsuits/affidavits pending, the outcome could definitely change.
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