Tensions are rising over the potential delay in announcing the winner of the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
Political figures and the media have warned that increased reliance on mail-in ballots could prolong the process, as Fox News reported.
The New York Times highlighted that the influx of mail-in ballots might delay the definitive results of the 2024 presidential election, potentially extending the announcement of the winner beyond election night. In response, Governor Ron DeSantis of Florida expressed his disapproval of any delay in the vote count, calling such occurrences "outrageous" and a severe blow to public trust in the democratic process.
DeSantis warned about the impact of delayed results on public perception. He argued that extending the count past election day could lead to initial leads being overturned as more ballots are tallied, significantly undermining trust in the electoral system.
Explaining his concerns, Ron DeSantis noted, "You'll have one candidate that may have a big lead because of Election Day votes and then people wake up the next morning and say, 'Yeah, my candidate's up 6%', and then they keep counting the next day, and then they count more the next day, and then the lead flips."
Governor DeSantis has reassured that Florida will declare its election results on the same night, unlike some states that may experience delays. He cited Florida's efficient 2020 electoral process as a model, highlighting the state's ability to conduct swift, secure counts due to various measures against voter fraud and unauthorized voting.
Lara Trump, Republican National Committee co-chair, addressed election integrity concerns by emphasizing the need for legal measures against potential election fraud and stating that those found guilty would face severe consequences.
DeSantis criticized states facing potential delays due to mail-in ballots, suggesting they are inadvertently undermining public faith in the electoral system. He stressed the importance of counting and reporting votes promptly on election night to prevent distrust and confusion among the electorate.
DeSantis passionately conveyed his stance, stating, "Even if there was nothing [wrong], even if it was all on the up and up, that destroys confidence in how these elections happen. So any of those states that are doing what The New York Times is saying, they are absolutely killing public trust in these elections."
Florida has focused on enhancing election security by implementing measures such as mandatory voter ID presentation and excluding non-citizens from the electoral process. Consequently, state officials assert that these steps are crucial for fostering trust in election results and ensuring they are delivered promptly.
As the general election approaches, these discussions underscore the importance of balancing a thorough voting process with maintaining public confidence in timely and transparent outcomes. Meanwhile, the debate continues on how to achieve this balance, especially with concerns about mail-in voting potentially delaying results.
In this context, Florida aims to set a precedent by delivering its 2024 presidential election results on election night. Governor Ron DeSantis, along with RNC co-chair Lara Trump, therefore urges other states to adopt similar measures to uphold election integrity and ensure voter trust nationwide.
