{"issues":[],"legislators":[],"articles":[{"title":"Georgia runoff elections: Ossoff & Warnock win, handing Democrats Senate control","id":309,"slug":"309-georgia-runoff-elections-ossoff-warnock-win-handing-democrats-senate-control","links":{"self":"https://www.starbuckspartnersvote.com/articles/309-georgia-runoff-elections-ossoff-warnock-win-handing-democrats-senate-control","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=309","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/309/signatures?include=user"},"content":"

By Josh Herman, Countable News

Democrats Jon Ossoff defeated former Sen. David David Perdue (R-GA)
Rev. Raphael Warnock has defeated former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA)
The pair of victories gives Democrats control of the Senate, with a 50-50 split and Vice President Kamala Harris casting any tie-breaking votes

After his race was declared, Ossoff said:

\"It is with humility that I thank the people of Georgia for electing me to serve you in the United States Senate.\"

","user_id":227,"cta_prompt":"How you feeling about the results?","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"1.6.21","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/04f2b7/WELCOME%20TO%20THE%20NEW%20GEORGIA.png","xsmall":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/04f2b7/WELCOME%20TO%20THE%20NEW%20GEORGIA.png","small":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/04f2b7/WELCOME%20TO%20THE%20NEW%20GEORGIA.png","medium":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/04f2b7/WELCOME%20TO%20THE%20NEW%20GEORGIA.png","large":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/04f2b7/WELCOME%20TO%20THE%20NEW%20GEORGIA.png"},"profile_id":3,"action_count":0,"html_content":"

By Josh Herman, Countable News

Democrats Jon Ossoff defeated former Sen. David David Perdue (R-GA)
Rev. Raphael Warnock has defeated former Sen. Kelly Loeffler (R-GA)
The pair of victories gives Democrats control of the Senate, with a 50-50 split and Vice President Kamala Harris casting any tie-breaking votes

After his race was declared, Ossoff said:

\"It is with humility that I thank the people of Georgia for electing me to serve you in the United States Senate.\"

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2021-01-08T22:08:36.435Z","status":"published","snippet":"By Josh Herman, Countable News Democrats Jon Ossoff defeated former Sen. David David Perdue (R-GA) Rev. Raphael Warnock has","share_count":0,"reaction_config":[{"icon":"excited","color":"#EE4950","stance":"excited"},{"icon":"happy","color":"#EDB723","stance":"happy"},{"icon":"apathetic","color":"#3AB093","stance":"apathetic"},{"icon":"sad","color":"#5ACDED","stance":"sad"},{"icon":"angry","color":"#624960","stance":"angry"}],"reaction_config_id":5,"recipient_config":null,"show_newsletter_signup":false,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2021-01-06T20:00:00.000Z","allow_advocacy":false,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Georgians have until December 7 to register to vote in Senate runoff & other key dates","id":299,"slug":"299-georgians-december-7-register-vote-senate-runoff-key-dates","links":{"self":"https://www.starbuckspartnersvote.com/articles/299-georgians-december-7-register-vote-senate-runoff-key-dates","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=299","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/299/signatures?include=user"},"content":"

By Lorelei Yang, Countable News

Georgia will hold two runoff elections for its pair of Senate seats on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The results of these two races could determine which party controls the upper chamber.

For Peach Staters wondering about the election schedule, or for those interested in donating their money or time to the runoff, we’ve pulled together some key dates.

Now - Register to Vote

If you’re a Georgian, make sure you’re registered to vote:

December 7 - Voter Registration Deadline

Georgia voters have until December 7, 2020, to register to participate in the runoff. This includes 17-and-a-half-year-olds who will turn 18 by January 5.

Register online via the Georgia Secretary of State's website
Print and mail this fillable voter registration form
Get a voter registration form at your county board of registrars' office, an election office, library, school, recruitment office, or college registrar's office

December 14 - Early Voting Begins

There are a number of ways to vote in the runoff: early, absentee, or in person. Keep reading for instructions for each option.

Option 1: Vote early starting on December 14

Early voting begins on December 14, 2020
Check your county's elections site for polling place locations and hours

Option 2: Request and return an absentee ballot as early as possible

Request an absentee ballot online or print and return an absentee ballot application to your county board of registrars via mail, fax, or email
Request and send your absentee ballot as soon as possible: although state law says that absentee ballots can be requested through the Friday before the election, the Friday before the January 5 runoff is New Year's Day and there may be postal delays
Return your absentee ballot so it can be received by 7 p.m. January 5
Drop your ballot at an official county drop box up until 7 p.m. on Election Day. Check your county's election website for details and drop box locations: Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton

January 5, 2021 - Federal Runoff Election Day

Option 3: Vote in person on January 5

Voting in person remains available as an option for the January 5 runoff
To vote in person, you'll need a valid photo ID
If you've moved, you'll need to file a notice of your new address in writing to the county board of registrars' office or submit a new voter registration application

If you're unsure about your voter registration status, need to find your poll location, or want to see a sample ballot for the upcoming election, click over to the Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page.

","user_id":227,"cta_prompt":"Are you participating or volunteering in Georgia’s January runoffs?","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"12.7.20","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/e205dc/iStock-1267042290.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/e205dc/iStock-1267042290.jpg","small":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/e205dc/iStock-1267042290.jpg","medium":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/e205dc/iStock-1267042290.jpg","large":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/e205dc/iStock-1267042290.jpg"},"profile_id":3,"action_count":0,"html_content":"

By Lorelei Yang, Countable News

Georgia will hold two runoff elections for its pair of Senate seats on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The results of these two races could determine which party controls the upper chamber.

For Peach Staters wondering about the election schedule, or for those interested in donating their money or time to the runoff, we’ve pulled together some key dates.

Now - Register to Vote

If you’re a Georgian, make sure you’re registered to vote:

December 7 - Voter Registration Deadline

Georgia voters have until December 7, 2020, to register to participate in the runoff. This includes 17-and-a-half-year-olds who will turn 18 by January 5.

\nRegister online via the Georgia Secretary of State's website\n
\nPrint and mail this fillable voter registration form\n
\nGet a voter registration form at your county board of registrars' office, an election office, library, school, recruitment office, or college registrar's office\n

December 14 - Early Voting Begins

There are a number of ways to vote in the runoff: early, absentee, or in person. Keep reading for instructions for each option.

Option 1: Vote early starting on December 14

\nEarly voting begins on December 14, 2020\n
Check your county's elections site for polling place locations and hours

Option 2: Request and return an absentee ballot as early as possible

\nRequest an absentee ballot online or print and return an absentee ballot application to your county board of registrars via mail, fax, or email\n
Request and send your absentee ballot as soon as possible: although state law says that absentee ballots can be requested through the Friday before the election, the Friday before the January 5 runoff is New Year's Day and there may be postal delays
Return your absentee ballot so it can be received by 7 p.m. January 5
\nDrop your ballot at an official county drop box up until 7 p.m. on Election Day. Check your county's election website for details and drop box locations: Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton\n

\nJanuary 5, 2021 - Federal Runoff Election Day\n

Option 3: Vote in person on January 5

Voting in person remains available as an option for the January 5 runoff
\nTo vote in person, you'll need a valid photo ID\n
\nIf you've moved, you'll need to file a notice of your new address in writing to the county board of registrars' office or submit a new voter registration application\n

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2020-12-07T21:29:47.358Z","status":"published","snippet":"By Lorelei Yang, Countable News Georgia will hold two runoff elections for its pair of Senate seats on Tuesday, January 5, 2021.","share_count":0,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Yes","color":"#624960","stance":"yes"},{"text":"Maybe","color":"#edb723","stance":"maybe"},{"text":"No","color":"#4ac6ec","stance":"no"}],"reaction_config_id":6,"recipient_config":null,"show_newsletter_signup":false,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2020-12-07T22:06:04.622Z","allow_advocacy":false,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Get ready to vote in Georgia's January 5 Senate runoffs","id":293,"slug":"293-get-ready-vote-georgia-s-january-5-senate-runoffs","links":{"self":"https://www.starbuckspartnersvote.com/articles/293-get-ready-vote-georgia-s-january-5-senate-runoffs","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=293","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/293/signatures?include=user"},"content":"

Fight for the Senate

Georgia will hold two runoff elections for its pair of Senate seats on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The results of these two races could determine which party controls the Senate:

Republican Sen. David Perdue versus Democrat Jon Ossoff
Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler versus Democrat Rev. Raphael Warnock

How to vote in the runoffs

Register

Peach State voters have until December 7, 2020, to register to participate in the January 5 runoff. This includes 17-and-a-half-year-olds who will turn 18 by January 5.

Register online via the Georgia Secretary of State's website
Print and mail this fillable voter registration form
Get a voter registration form at your county board of registrars' office, an election office, library, school, recruitment office, or college registrar's office

Vote

Georgia voters have a number of options to vote in the runoff.

Vote early starting on December 14

Early voting begins on December 14, 2020.
Check your county's elections site for polling place locations and hours.

Request and return an absentee ballot as early as possible

Request an absentee ballot online or print and return an absentee ballot application to your county board of registrars via mail, fax, or email.
Request and send your absentee ballot as soon as possible: although state law says that absentee ballots can be requested through the Friday before the election, the Friday before the January 5 runoff is New Year's Day and there may be postal delays.
Return your absentee ballot so it can be received by 7 p.m. January 5.
Drop your ballot at an official county drop box up until 7 p.m. on Election Day (check your county's election website for details and drop box locations: Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton).

Vote in person on January 5

Voting in person remains available as an option for the January 5 runoff.
To vote in person, you'll need a valid photo ID.
If you've moved, you'll need to file a notice of your new address in writing to the county board of registrars' office or submit a new voter registration application.

If you're unsure about your voter registration status, need to find your poll location, or want to see a sample ballot for the upcoming election, click on over to the Georgia Secretary of State's My Voter Page.

(Image Credit: iStockphoto.com / diane555)

","user_id":227,"cta_prompt":"Georgians, it's almost time to vote again!","cta_type":"share","cta_text":"Share","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"11.23.20","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/903530/iStock-1267042294.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/903530/iStock-1267042294.jpg","small":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/903530/iStock-1267042294.jpg","medium":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/903530/iStock-1267042294.jpg","large":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/903530/iStock-1267042294.jpg"},"profile_id":3,"action_count":3,"html_content":"

Fight for the Senate

Georgia will hold two runoff elections for its pair of Senate seats on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The results of these two races could determine which party controls the Senate:

Republican Sen. David Perdue versus Democrat Jon Ossoff
Republican Sen. Kelly Loeffler versus Democrat Rev. Raphael Warnock

How to vote in the runoffs

Register

Peach State voters have until December 7, 2020, to register to participate in the January 5 runoff. This includes 17-and-a-half-year-olds who will turn 18 by January 5.

\nRegister online via the Georgia Secretary of State's website
Print and mail this fillable voter registration form\n
Get a voter registration form at your county board of registrars' office, an election office, library, school, recruitment office, or college registrar's office

Vote

Georgia voters have a number of options to vote in the runoff.

Vote early starting on December 14

\nEarly voting begins on December 14, 2020.
Check your county's elections site for polling place locations and hours.

Request and return an absentee ballot as early as possible

Request an absentee ballot online or print and return an absentee ballot application to your county board of registrars via mail, fax, or email.
Request and send your absentee ballot as soon as possible: although state law says that absentee ballots can be requested through the Friday before the election, the Friday before the January 5 runoff is New Year's Day and there may be postal delays.
Return your absentee ballot so it can be received by 7 p.m. January 5.
Drop your ballot at an official county drop box up until 7 p.m. on Election Day (check your county's election website for details and drop box locations: Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Gwinnett, Clayton).

Vote in person on January 5

Voting in person remains available as an option for the January 5 runoff.
To vote in person, you'll need a valid photo ID.
If you've moved, you'll need to file a notice of your new address in writing to the county board of registrars' office or submit a new voter registration application.

(Image Credit: iStockphoto.com / diane555)

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2020-11-23T17:20:37.310Z","status":"published","snippet":"Fight for the Senate Georgia will hold two runoff elections for its pair of Senate seats on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The","share_count":3,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_newsletter_signup":false,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2020-11-23T18:55:56.932Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Get the latest civic news","id":278,"slug":"278-get-latest-civic-news","links":{"self":"https://www.starbuckspartnersvote.com/articles/278-get-latest-civic-news","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=278","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/278/signatures?include=user"},"content":"

In addition to critical election content, make sure you catch the latest civic news every single week.

Head over to the Civic Newsfeed for nonpartisan updates on legislation and political news from our partners at Countable, and join our community of action-takers by speaking out and making your voice heard.

","user_id":6,"cta_prompt":"Check out the civic newsfeed for the latest opportunities to make your voice heard","cta_type":"custom","cta_text":"Check out civic news","cta_url":"https://www.starbuckspartnersvote.com/profiles/starbucks-partners-civic-newsfeed","formatted_publish_date":"10.30.20","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/WYrgbEnG/75cd30/pexels-markus-winkler-4057663.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/WYrgbEnG/75cd30/pexels-markus-winkler-4057663.jpg","small":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/WYrgbEnG/75cd30/pexels-markus-winkler-4057663.jpg","medium":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/WYrgbEnG/75cd30/pexels-markus-winkler-4057663.jpg","large":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/WYrgbEnG/75cd30/pexels-markus-winkler-4057663.jpg"},"profile_id":3,"action_count":0,"html_content":"

In addition to critical election content, make sure you catch the latest civic news every single week.

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2020-10-30T19:12:38.897Z","status":"published","snippet":"In addition to critical election content, make sure you catch the latest civic news every single week. Head over to the Civic","share_count":0,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":null,"show_newsletter_signup":false,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2020-10-30T19:12:38.895Z","allow_advocacy":false,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"We're 100% in for democracy","id":276,"slug":"276-re-100-democracy","links":{"self":"https://www.starbuckspartnersvote.com/articles/276-re-100-democracy","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=276","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/276/signatures?include=user"},"content":"

We're 100% in for democracy. Starbucks has joined over 450 companies to sign the following:

Each of our companies is unique. Yet, we are united by these nonpartisan values: Every American has a voice in our democracy. Voting should be safe and accessible to all. Elections should be fair and transparent. We, the undersigned:

Call for safe access to the polls for all voters.
Recognize state and local election officials as the trusted source for certified results.
Encourage patience as officials count every vote.

America’s democracy is strong. Our strength lies in our people – each with the power to shape our country’s future.

We celebrate the record number of Americans who are voting in this election. We thank poll workers, the essential workers for our democracy. And, we reaffirm that election outcomes are determined by the will of voters.

As our country carries out this historic election in the midst of a pandemic, we are confident that America will meet this moment and continue to serve as a beacon of freedom for the world.

Learn more at https://www.civicalliance.com/100

","user_id":6,"cta_prompt":"Get involved by contacting your reps and making your voice heard!","cta_type":"contact_reps","cta_text":"Contact Reps","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"10.30.20","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/WYrgbEnG/bc68fa/FY20Q4_Customer-Site_FuelOurDemocracy-Tiles_8-Civic%20Alliance.png","xsmall":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/WYrgbEnG/bc68fa/FY20Q4_Customer-Site_FuelOurDemocracy-Tiles_8-Civic%20Alliance.png","small":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/WYrgbEnG/bc68fa/FY20Q4_Customer-Site_FuelOurDemocracy-Tiles_8-Civic%20Alliance.png","medium":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/WYrgbEnG/bc68fa/FY20Q4_Customer-Site_FuelOurDemocracy-Tiles_8-Civic%20Alliance.png","large":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/WYrgbEnG/bc68fa/FY20Q4_Customer-Site_FuelOurDemocracy-Tiles_8-Civic%20Alliance.png"},"profile_id":3,"action_count":1,"html_content":"

We're 100% in for democracy. Starbucks has joined over 450 companies to sign the following:

Call for safe access to the polls for all voters.
Recognize state and local election officials as the trusted source for certified results.
Encourage patience as officials count every vote.

America’s democracy is strong. Our strength lies in our people – each with the power to shape our country’s future.

As our country carries out this historic election in the midst of a pandemic, we are confident that America will meet this moment and continue to serve as a beacon of freedom for the world.

Learn more at https://www.civicalliance.com/100

","comments_count":1,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2020-10-30T18:54:39.961Z","status":"published","snippet":"We're 100% in for democracy. Starbucks has joined over 450 companies to sign the following: Each of our companies is unique.","share_count":0,"reaction_config_id":null,"recipient_config":{"state":"","region":"country","geolocate":true,"select_path":"Contact Reps : Federal : Geolocate","lower_chamber":"house","upper_chamber":"senate","chamber_choice":"all","state_required":false,"default_message":"","chosen_legislators":[],"lower_chamber_name":"House","upper_chamber_name":"Senate"},"show_newsletter_signup":false,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2020-10-30T19:00:05.537Z","allow_advocacy":true,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]},{"title":"Historic legal contests and potential election disputes ","id":272,"slug":"272-historic-legal-contests-potential-election-disputes","links":{"self":"https://www.starbuckspartnersvote.com/articles/272-historic-legal-contests-potential-election-disputes","article_comments":"/api/article_comments?article_id=272","signatures":"/api/v3/articles/272/signatures?include=user"},"content":"

By Josh Herman, Lorelei Yang, Casey Harris, Countable News

The coronavirus pandemic, rampant falsehoods about voting security, misrepresentations about mail-in ballots, and a hobbling of the United States Postal Service have set the stage for a number of potential election disputes.

Contests to the Electoral College

The Twelfth Amendment of the Constitution gives Congress final say over who becomes president. This means that Congress has to confirm the results of the Electoral College.

On January 6th, Members of the House and Senate (including those newly-seated) meet in the House chamber to conduct the official tally of electoral votes. The vice president, as President of the Senate, presides over the count and announces the results of the vote.

A president could order their vice president not to participate in the electoral tally until the elections are confirmed clean or until there’s a recount.

However, a president - either newly elected or incumbent - could bypass Congress and go straight to court, disputing the results and setting up a legal battle. It’s happened before...

Bush v. Gore

Bush v. Gore was about which electors the Sunshine State would send to the electoral college: Democrats (giving the election to Gore) or Republicans (giving the election to Bush).

Ultimately, the conservative-majority Supreme Court stepped in to resolve the question, shutting down the recount and giving the 2000 election to George W. Bush.

“All candidates have a right to contest results in federal court,” Constitutional law expert Jonathan Turley explained to Politico. “It’s not up to the candidate to decide if an election is valid. It’s not based on their satisfaction or consent. They have every right to seek judicial review.”

Bush v. Gore was only about Florida and the fight took one month. In the 2020 election, it’s possible we could see Bush v. Gore x 50, as President Donald Trump or Former Vice President Joe Biden sue in each state.

The current Supreme Court has been apt to respect executive power—regardless of how they might decide an electoral victory. They could also decide that the president has the legal authority to postpone elections (or the VP confirming the results) via executive order.

Cancelling the election

Most experts agree that a president does not have the power to change the date of the general election. A 2004 report from the Congressional Research Service states: “While the Executive Branch has significant delegated authority regarding some aspects of election law, this authority does not currently extend to setting or changing the times of elections.”

Article II of the Constitution dictates that Congress alone has the power to determine the day presidential electors are chosen for the electoral college. Currently, this is set by federal law as the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

To change that date would require legislation to be passed through both houses of Congress and signed by the president. The possibility of this happening is close to nonexistent, given that millions of people around the country have already voted (according to the U.S. Elections Project, over 35 million people have already cast ballots).

Have elections ever been moved?

A March 2020 Congressional Research Service report stated that “During previous episodes of war, pandemic, or other deadly crises in American history, the presidential election date has never been changed in response to an emergency.”

Even if a president could delay the election, the 20th Amendment specifies that the president and vice president’s terms end at noon on January 20 “of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified.”

What this means: If no new administration has been formally (and legally) elected by January 20, the president and vice president would still be required to leave office and the line of succession would come into play.

What could be done now?

Pledge to support a peaceful transfer of power. Lawmakers in both parties have pledged to support a peaceful transition regardless of the result of the election.
Vote! Vote so the margins of victory for either candidate are indisputable. (Register or check your status here.) If the margin of either candidate’s win is large enough, the basis for anyone to resist accepting the election’s result is much smaller and harder to justify. It also minimizes the threat of states appointing their own electors regardless of the results of the popular vote.

(Image Credit: iStockphoto/ JimLarkin)

","user_id":227,"cta_prompt":"Are you concerned about voting fraud in the 2020 election?","cta_type":"reactions","cta_text":"React","cta_url":null,"formatted_publish_date":"10.29.20","image_urls":{"thumb":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/81cbee/iStock-599787292.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/81cbee/iStock-599787292.jpg","small":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/81cbee/iStock-599787292.jpg","medium":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/81cbee/iStock-599787292.jpg","large":"https://ul.starbuckspartnersvote.com/ul/q_auto/Wv4d0aeq/81cbee/iStock-599787292.jpg"},"profile_id":3,"action_count":0,"html_content":"

By Josh Herman, Lorelei Yang, Casey Harris, Countable News

\nContests to the Electoral College \n

The Twelfth Amendment of the Constitution gives Congress final say over who becomes president. This means that Congress has to confirm the results of the Electoral College.

A president could order their vice president not to participate in the electoral tally until the elections are confirmed clean or until there’s a recount.

However, a president - either newly elected or incumbent - could bypass Congress and go straight to court, disputing the results and setting up a legal battle. It’s happened before...

Bush v. Gore

Bush v. Gore was about which electors the Sunshine State would send to the electoral college: Democrats (giving the election to Gore) or Republicans (giving the election to Bush).

Ultimately, the conservative-majority Supreme Court stepped in to resolve the question, shutting down the recount and giving the 2000 election to George W. Bush.

“All candidates have a right to contest results in federal court,” Constitutional law expert Jonathan Turley explained to Politico. “It’s not up to the candidate to decide if an election is valid. It’s not based on their satisfaction or consent. They have every right to seek judicial review.”

Cancelling the election

Have elections ever been moved?

What could be done now?

Pledge to support a peaceful transfer of power. Lawmakers in both parties have pledged to support a peaceful transition regardless of the result of the election.
\nVote! Vote so the margins of victory for either candidate are indisputable. (Register or check your status here.) If the margin of either candidate’s win is large enough, the basis for anyone to resist accepting the election’s result is much smaller and harder to justify. It also minimizes the threat of states appointing their own electors regardless of the results of the popular vote. \n

(Image Credit: iStockphoto/ JimLarkin)

","comments_count":0,"comments_enabled":true,"issue_slugs":[],"private":false,"created_at":"2020-10-29T19:31:33.374Z","status":"published","snippet":"By Josh Herman, Lorelei Yang, Casey Harris, Countable News The coronavirus pandemic, rampant falsehoods about voting security,","share_count":0,"reaction_config":[{"text":"Yes","color":"#624960","stance":"yes"},{"text":"Maybe","color":"#edb723","stance":"maybe"},{"text":"No","color":"#4ac6ec","stance":"no"}],"reaction_config_id":6,"recipient_config":null,"show_newsletter_signup":false,"show_byline_follow_button":true,"show_suggested_profiles":false,"published_at":"2020-10-29T19:55:27.238Z","allow_advocacy":false,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null,"og_title":null,"og_description":null,"twitter_share_language":null,"email_share_subject":null,"email_share_body":null,"issue_ids":[],"legislator_ids":[]}],"meta":{"pagination":{"current_page":1,"total_pages":6,"total_count":31}}}

Check registration, get reminders, and request a mail-in ballot!

Have you checked your voter registration status?

Need to register to vote? Check to see if you're already registered? Request a mail-in ballot? Confirm your mailing address?

We've got you covered.

The Latest

The Latest