#USAElections2020: Donald Trump sues in three states, Biden remains confident
What's the story
US President Donald Trump's campaign has filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia demanding to halt the counting of votes, even as no one emerged as a clear winner in the presidential elections 2020. As per AP, Trump's side wants campaign observers to have better access to places where votes are being counted. Meanwhile, Trump's challenger Joe Biden won Michigan and Wisconsin.
Plans
Trump's campaign would seek recounting in Wisconsin
The Republican campaign also plans to intervene in a Pennsylvania case in the Supreme Court. The matter concerns whether mail-in ballots received three days later of the election date, i.e. November 3, should be counted. Trump's campaign would also seek a recounting of votes in Wisconsin. As per Campaign manager Bill Stepien, there were "irregularities in several Wisconsin counties."
Explainer
Why has no one called the election yet?
Every election, the counting of votes goes beyond the D-Day. The announced results are unofficial based on exit polls, but this time the avalanche of mail-in ballots increased the woes of officials. A staggering 103 million, nearly 74% of the total votes cast in 2016, sent their votes or voted early. Counting and verifying mail-in ballots take longer, hence, no winner has been declared.
Data
Biden scores more than Trump; latter poised for legal battle
For the contenders to win the race to White House, they need at least 270 electoral votes. If the latest projections are to be believed Biden is leading — 264 v/s 214. However, incumbent Trump has alleged fraud in counting, accused the Democrats of stealing the election, and declared he would approach the Supreme Court. The legal route taken by his campaign was unsurprising.
Statement
Trump is fighting for nation's good: Deputy Campaign Manager
About the lawsuit relating to Georgia, Deputy Campaign Manager Justin Clark said the President was fighting for the nation's good. "Georgia's law is very clear: to legally count, mail ballots must be received by 7:00 pm on Election Day. That's still the law, even after Democrats sued earlier this year to extend the deadline and delay Election Day," Clark said in a statement.
Quote
Clark claimed "bad things were happening" in Pennsylvania
Similarly, about Pennsylvania, Clark said, "Bad things are happening in Pennsylvania. Democrats are scheming to disenfranchise and dilute Republican votes. President Trump and his team are fighting to put a stop to it." The Pennsylvania lawsuit was preceded by a similar step in Michigan.
Reaction
It is a long shot: Democrats on Michigan's lawsuit
The Republican lawsuit in Michigan accuses Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who is a Democrat, of letting absentee ballots be counted without bipartisan observers and challengers being present. Trump's campaign said she was "undermining the constitutional right of all Michigan voters.....to participate in fair and lawful elections." But the Democrats in the state said the lawsuit will not hold ground.
Details
Biden campaign's spokesperson slammed lawsuits, called charades pathetic
Meanwhile, Biden's campaign spokesman Andrew Bates commented that the winning team doesn't take to legal routes. "What makes these charades especially pathetic is that while Trump is demanding recounts in places he has already lost, he's simultaneously engaged in fruitless attempts to halt the counting of votes in other states in which he's on the road to defeat," Bates said in a statement.
Funds
Anticipating expensive legal battle, both campaigns asked for funds
Even as the chaotic election counting remained underway, both contenders made renewed fundraising appeals to their supporters, anticipating that the legal battles would cost millions of dollars. With the subject line, "They will try to steal the election," Trump's campaign sent emails to supporters. Text messages were also sent. Similarly, Democrats sent emails with the subject, "Donald Trump will not steal this election."
Quote
Donate money: Democrats' Campaign Manager asked supporters
"We are standing up the biggest and most comprehensive legal effort ever assembled. This work could stretch on for weeks, so I am coming to you to ask you to pitch $25 into the newly-formed Biden Fight Fund," Campaign Manager Jen O'Malley Dillon wrote.
Twitter Post
Trump does not decide outcome of this election: Biden
Donald Trump does not decide the outcome of this election and nor do I. The American people decide. That’s why we’ve launched the Biden Fight Fund — to ensure every vote is counted.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 5, 2020
Chip in to help fund our election protection efforts across the country: https://t.co/ps6VhGy0m5
Message
Meanwhile, Trump and Biden put out starkly different tweets
A short while ago, Biden tweeted a video, telling his supporters he is confident of winning. Standing next to Kamala Harris, his running mate, Biden said, "I'm confident that we will emerge victorious. But this will not be my victory alone. It will be a victory for the American people." Separately, Trump tweeted that damage has already been done to the Presidential election.
Twitter Post
Damage has been done, lamented Trump
Our lawyers have asked for “meaningful access”, but what good does that do? The damage has already been done to the integrity of our system, and to the Presidential Election itself. This is what should be discussed!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 4, 2020