Will the US Presidential Election be postponed due to the Coronavirus?

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   Stevennix2001posted 4 years ago

   With the way things are developing, I have a feeling the coronavirus situation is only going to get worse before it gets better, and that this shutdown could go on for at least a year if not longer. I hope I'm wrong, but it seems all signs are pointing in that direction from what I can tell, but if the worst case scenario happens, and I'm right about this, then do you think the presidential election will be postponed indefinitely?  Or do you think the government will figure out a way to do the election electronically if they have to?  Or by some other means?  Please discuss. 
   
   And if the election is postponed, then what do you think will happen?  Will Trump continue to remain in office until the pandemic clears up?  What are your thoughts on this matter?

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      Sharlee01posted 4 years agoin reply to this

      If I understand your concern, you feel in the worst scenario the "shutdown" could "go on for a year or longer". And you are concerned about the presidential election will be postponed indefinitely.
      
      The obvious answer is that if our country remains closed until Nov. We  will need no president because we will have bankrupted our the country,
      We will have no country to speak of.  We will have peoples literally starving to death, committing suicide due to losing everything, not to mention violent crime. Not sure how you could contemplate any country could withstand closing down for that length of time. Please do some research on the Great depression. This one would put that one to shame. I must ask, do you think  America could survive such a lengthy shutdown?
      
      And in regards to Trump remaining president in the scenario, you ponder. I don't think he would even want to remain president. He would most likely walk away and most likely say "Told you so..."

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         Randy Godwinposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         "And in regards to Trump remaining president in the scenario, you ponder. I don't think he would even want to remain president. He would most likely walk away and most likely say "Told you so..."
         
         Like a rat deserting a sinking ship. No doubt!

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            Live to Learnposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            I found that a creepy comment too.
            
            'I told you so' what?

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            Sharlee01posted 4 years agoin reply to this

            Randy,   Keep in mind this is all based on unknown scenarios. Just pointing out if Trump did by some rare chance keep the country shut down due to going against his judgment, and listens to perhaps advise from his task force (as we all should know by now, he whats to open up the country)  Due to his personality could certainly turn the tables and blame the task force. And yes jump ship... Would anyone entertain that Trump would take the blame for keeping the country closed too long?  He has been so verbal with his feelings about not only saving lives but saving the countries economy by reopening the country.

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               Randy Godwinposted 4 years agoin reply to this

               I really don't expect Trump to take the blame for anything, Shar.

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                  Sharlee01posted 4 years agoin reply to this

                  Yes, that's was the point...  One way or the other he won't take the blame for hunting the country. Today in his daily press conference he reminded all he took the opportunity to share the following.  "They came into my office and said --- "Sir you have to shut the country down sir".

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   Live to Learnposted 4 years ago

   That's a tough one. If we are still in the throws of this pandemic by November we've got bigger problems to grapple with. And if we are in the midst of it even into July, it presents huge questions. Anyone who isn't the incumbent needs massive amounts of time to campaign and fire up the base, while trying to pull in support from independents.
   
   But, if it is delayed it would be unprecedented and cause a lot of angst. Many on the left already believe Trump wants a dictatorship and would see it as a power grab. There could be civil unrest.
   
   I hope we cross the Rubicon in our struggle with Covid19 within the next 2 months and your question is idle speculation well behind us.

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   GA Andersonposted 4 years ago

   There is beginning to be a lot of talk about voting by mail for the coming election. Without digging into it, my gut says this would be a major validation problem
   
   I don't like the idea.
   
   GA

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      wildernessposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      With the constant fight against voter identification of any kind, I'm not sure that validation is something desired anyway.  By one party, at least.

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      PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      'You can't hack paper': How Oregon fights election meddling

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   GA Andersonposted 4 years ago

   My gut says thank you. I was unaware there were any all-mail balloting systems.
   
   It also says that maybe there are reasons for its response—the timeline for the 2020 elections: 
   
   Politico - Why vote-by-mail may not save our elections from the virus’ disruption
   
   "“Rolling something as complex as this out at large-scale introduces thousands of small problems — some of which are security problems, some of which are reliability problems, some of which are resource-management problems — that only become apparent when you do it,” said Matt Blaze, an election security expert and computer science professor at Georgetown Law School. “Which is why changing anything right before a high-stakes election carries risks.”
   
   Propublica - Voting by Mail Would Reduce Coronavirus Transmission but It Has Other Risks
   
   "As COVID-19 spreads, many are proposing to hold the November election by mail. Without careful preparation, though, the transition could run into logistical problems and provide opportunities for voter fraud."
   . . .
   "Jurisdictions like the states of Washington and Utah took several years to make a smooth transition from polling places to voting by mail. Quick turnarounds after rule changes — as in Gwinnett County — have generally led to more problems.
   
   “You can’t just wave a magic wand and have this happen,” said Michael McDonald"
   
   Rolling out a system like this in 6 months doesn't seem doable to me. I can imagine barely getting the ballot-counting and court challenge results done in time for the next 2024 elections.
   
   But . . . I can now see this as viable for future (2024 and beyond), elections. I particularly liked your link's point that ballots were mailed by the election boards—from their voter rolls. But then again, I am reminded of that old adage: The check is in the mail. ;-)
   
   GA

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      PrettyPantherposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      I agree it would not be realistic to think this could be properly implemented by November. I do think voting by mail and completely eliminating voting machines makes good sense. I have lived with it for years in Oregon and everyone I know--and I know a lot of both left- and right- wingers---loves it.

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         GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

         I looked at other states that also used mail-in ballots, but it was Oregan, (your example), that most got my attention. I really like the idea of ballots mailed from the Board of Elections—using registered voters lists.
         
         I wasn't nearly as comfortable with the other options of email or online ballot distribution.
         
         GA

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            GA Andersonposted 4 years agoin reply to this

            Oops . . . A typo—"Oregon" not 'Oregan'
            
            GA

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   Credence2posted 4 years ago

   Let's hope not as that will fit right into Trump hands as he then can be coronated "King".

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      wildernessposted 4 years agoin reply to this

      Where does this claptrap idea originate?  From right wingers so desperate to fling s**t that they will resort to any lie they can think of?

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   Stevennix2001posted 4 years ago

   Hmm looks like CNBC made a video alluding to this topic as well
   
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AllPe4Tobdw

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   emgeposted 4 years ago

   I don't think the president election will be postponed. It would mean extending the term of Trump and Dems  won't support it. I think someway will be found in another 2 months.

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