Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) distanced from President Donald Trump on mail-in voting as he noted what he believes poses a bigger threat for voter fraud.
During an interview with the Sutherland Institute, Romney was asked whether or not he agrees with Trump’s claims about mail-in voting contributing to heightened voter fraud.
The Utah senator admitted that he doesn’t know of “any evidence” to support Trump’s voter fraud claims as he revealed his real concerns about the upcoming election.
“I don’t know of any evidence that voting by mail would increase voter fraud,” Romney said. “My biggest concern, frankly, with regards to voting fraud has been that there would be some kind of hacking of our voting electronic systems and that voting machines or tabulating equipment would be hacked either by an American or hacked by a foreign entity.”
Romney highlighted the advantage of voting by mail as opposed to using electronic machines as he noted that with “physical ballots” there would be a way to conduct verification or analysis of votes.
“I think voting by mail is probably more secure, at least in my own view, than just electronic voting.”
See Romney’s remarks below:
https://www.facebook.com/SutherlandInstitute/videos/311169376802248
Romney went on to stress the importance of Americans being able to vote safely and securely regardless of the voting method they choose.
“That’s more important than even the outcome of the vote,” Romney said. “We have got to preserve the principle of democracy or the trend we’re on is going to continue to get worse.”
He added, “When politicians attack a judicial system, attack a voting system … attack a free press, these things threaten the foundation upon which not only our own democracy rests but democracies around the world rest.”
Romney’s latest remarks follow voter fraud claims from Trump which have led to confusion among voters. On multiple occasions, the president has tweeted his concerns about mail-in voting as he insisted it will lead to a “rigged” election.
RIGGED 2020 ELECTION: MILLIONS OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS WILL BE PRINTED BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES, AND OTHERS. IT WILL BE THE SCANDAL OF OUR TIMES!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 22, 2020
Despite his verbal and legal attacks on mail-in voting in Democratic-run states, he has encouraged residents in the Republican-run state of Florida to vote by mail.
Whether you call it Vote by Mail or Absentee Voting, in Florida the election system is Safe and Secure, Tried and True. Florida’s Voting system has been cleaned up (we defeated Democrats attempts at change), so in Florida I encourage all to request a Ballot & Vote by Mail! #MAGA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 4, 2020
However, Trump recently requested his own absentee ballots ahead of Florida’s primary election, as previously reported on IJR. He also alluded to refusing to bail out the United States Postal Service because he is aware it will obstruct universal mail-in voting.
Despite the controversy surrounding mail-in voting, the general election is still scheduled for November 3, 2020.
