Topic: Mail In Ballots

The Supreme Court is considering Watson v. Republican National Committee, a case that could end the practice of accepting ballots that arrive after election day even if postmarked on time. While any ruling is unlikely to be retroactive for past California elections, it could significantly alter the rules for the upcoming November general election.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments regarding a Mississippi law that allows mail-in ballots to be counted up to five days after Election Day if postmarked on time. The Republican National Committee argues that federal law mandates a single "Election Day," making late-arriving ballots invalid. A ruling in favor of the RNC could force changes in 18 other states with similar grace periods for ballot processing.

An investigation into Washington State voter records allegedly found individuals registered at homeless shelters, libraries, and memory care facilities in numbers exceeding capacity. The hosts also claim that the immediate destruction of ballot envelopes after signature verification prevents meaningful audits of election results.

The hosts discuss the vulnerabilities of mail-in ballots and the practice of ballot harvesting in states like Washington and California. They argue that the lack of strict voter ID laws allows for potential fraud, particularly in nursing homes and hospice facilities.

A tangent explores the voting systems in the Pacific Northwest, noting that Oregon and Washington utilize 100% mail-in ballots. The discussion links these "shadow systems" to broader themes of political corruption and the influence of the American Academy of Pediatrics on regional health policy.

President Trump has proposed an executive order to end mail-in voting, claiming the system is prone to corruption. Legal experts, including UCLA Professor Rick Hasen, note that the Constitution grants states the primary authority to regulate election procedures, making a presidential decree legally unenforceable. While some states like Oregon have used mail-in systems for decades without widespread fraud, the issue remains a central point of political contention.

House Democrats unveiled the $3 trillion "Heroes Act," which included stimulus checks, unemployment benefits, and funding for state governments and the U.S. Postal Service. President Trump criticized the package as a "voting package," expressing strong opposition to provisions for expanded mail-in balloting. Trump argued that mail-in voting is subject to corruption and would negatively impact Republican election prospects.

The U.S. Postal Service warned states that it might not be able to handle the volume of mail-in ballots in time for the November election. California became the first state to top 600,000 confirmed cases, leading Dr. Fauci to warn against reopening the economy too quickly. Plans for vaccine distribution began to take shape, with the CDC identifying priority groups and storage requirements in major cities.

MSNBC contributors and Democratic lawyer Mark Elias are preparing the public for a lengthy vote-counting process that could last weeks. Elias used the term "Stalingrad" to describe the legal and procedural battles expected after November 5th. Critics argue that the media is moving away from traditional statistical analysis and exit polling to delegitimize a potential Trump victory by delaying results.

NPR reports that over 40 million Americans have already cast their ballots as early voting begins in Michigan. The segment covers the candidates' closing arguments, with Harris focusing on healthcare and Trump appealing to first-time voters at Penn State, while election officials warn of potential mail delays.

The concept of "targeted fraud" is discussed as a more effective strategy than "widespread fraud" due to the mechanics of the Electoral College. The media's role in calling election results is critiqued, citing Fox News's early call of Arizona in 2020. Historical clips from 2016 are referenced to show that both political parties have expressed skepticism regarding election integrity and the security of mail-in ballots.

Gavin Newsom is viewed as positioning himself for a 2028 presidential run by cleaning up California's public image. Concerns are raised regarding the integrity of mail-in ballot systems in Washington, Oregon, and California. Speculation continues that Newsom could still be "slipped in" as a candidate if the current Democratic ticket falters.

A study by the Heartland Institute, based on a Rasmussen survey, claims that one in five mail-in voters admitted to potentially fraudulent actions during the 2020 election. The report suggests that if the majority of Americans had voted in person, the election outcome might have favored Donald Trump.

Criticism is directed at Washington State's universal mail-in ballot system and Governor Jay Inslee, characterizing the process as susceptible to fraud. The argument posits that only in-person paper ballots collected at polling places can ensure legitimate election results.

A Heartland/Rasmussen poll found that 21% of mail-in voters admitted to committing some form of fraud during the 2020 election, such as filling out a ballot for someone else. The story has been largely ignored by mainstream media, despite its implications for the legitimacy of the election system.

Donald Trump releases a statement vowing to resist any return of COVID-19 mandates or lockdowns, framing them as attempts to rig the 2024 election. He pledges to cut federal funding for institutions that impose mask or vaccine requirements. The hosts critique Trump's past performance during the 2020 lockdowns while acknowledging the current political messaging.

Dr. Selene Gounder advised travelers to "mask up" in crowded places as hospitalizations rise. The hosts speculated that the return of COVID narratives may be a precursor to reinstating mail-in ballots for the 2024 election. Despite a Royal Society review claiming mandates were "unequivocally effective," skeptics remain concerned that localized lockdowns or "crime lockdowns" could be used for political control.

Scott Gottlieb provides conflicting statements on whether wastewater data is a forward-looking or backward-looking indicator for COVID-19 spikes. The hosts argue that the promotion of wastewater testing is a strategy to justify localized lockdowns and the widespread use of mail-in ballots in "red states." They suggest that surveillance of "pee water" will be used to restrict movement based on infection levels in specific residential quadrants.

A federal appeals court has ruled that a lawsuit challenging California's election procedures can proceed. The Election Integrity Project California alleges that the state's universal mail-in ballot system and weakened signature verification requirements violate the U.S. Constitution. The suit names Governor Gavin Newsom and Secretary of State Shirley Weber, seeking to enforce uniform and secure vote-counting procedures.

The January 6th committee aims to build momentum for amending the Electoral Count Act to restrict the Vice President's role in certifying elections. Concurrently, California is moving toward a permanent 100% mail-in ballot system. Critics argue these shifts, combined with trauma-based media presentations, are designed to fundamentally alter American election mechanics and lock in partisan advantages.