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• Several U.S. states have tightened election oversight to prevent illegal intervention and ensure timely certification of results.
• States like Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin have investigated and penalized officials who tried to overstep their authority.
• Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson emphasized the importance of adhering to the law during the certification process.
• These measures underscore the seriousness of upholding the integrity of the democratic process in the upcoming election.

In the aftermath of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, several states have taken decisive measures to ensure the integrity of the upcoming November 5 election. These states have issued a stern warning to county and local officials: any attempt to illegally intervene in the election or refuse to certify results could lead to criminal charges or substantial financial penalties. This warning comes in response to past incidents where officials have tried to interfere with the vote or delay certification of results.

In at least five of the seven battleground states that could determine the next U.S. president, top election and law enforcement officials have investigated, indicted, and even jailed officials who tried to overstep their authority. These states include Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, as well as the solidly Democratic state of Colorado. The increased oversight of local election officials is aimed at preventing unfounded claims of fraud from slowing the certification of election results.

Enforcing the Law and Upholding Election Integrity

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson emphasized the importance of adhering to the law, stating, The law is clear and we won't tolerate anyone not following it for any reason. There are times and places for challenging election results. The certification process is not one of them. In Pennsylvania, the state has already overruled a county official who tried to prevent the use of drop boxes for early voters. Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo had scrapped plans to deploy drop boxes, citing safety concerns.

However, State Attorney General Michelle Henry warned Crocamo that only the county elections board could decide whether to deploy drop boxes under state law. If Crocamo failed to comply, she could face criminal misdemeanor charges punishable by fines and up to a year in prison. The county subsequently relented. In Wisconsin, the criminal division of the Wisconsin Justice Department is investigating Wausau Mayor Doug Diny for removing a locked, empty drop box from outside City Hall.

Legal Consequences and Deterrence

In Michigan's Macomb County, three assistant clerks in the city of St. Clair Shores face felony charges for allegedly allowing four residents to vote twice in the state's Aug. 6 congressional and state primary election. Democratic Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed charges punishable by up to five years in prison against all seven. Despite common talking points by those who seek to instill doubt in our election process, double voting in Michigan is extremely rare, Nessel said in a statement. Nevertheless, the fact that four incidents occurred in a municipality of this size raised significant concerns.

In Arizona, two Republican officials from Cochise County face felony election interference charges, alleging they delayed the canvass of votes in the 2022 elections. Cochise County supervisors Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd voted to delay canvassing, despite multiple warnings that missing the Nov. 28 state deadline would amount to breaking the law. They are due to stand trial in January on felony charges punishable by up to 2-1/2 years in prison.

The Case of Tina Peters and the Importance of Upholding the Law

In Colorado, former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters was sentenced to nine years in prison for illegally tampering with voting machines in 2020. Peters, who repeated Trump's falsehoods that the 2020 election was stolen, has denied wrongdoing and insisted her actions were intended to help the people of her county. Judge Matthew Barrett said Peters had abused her position and violated her oath of office. You are no hero, Barrett said as he sentenced her. You're a charlatan who used, and is still using, your prior position in office to peddle a snake oil that's been proven to be junk time and time again.

These actions by state authorities underscore the seriousness with which they are approaching the upcoming election. They are determined to ensure that the election process goes smoothly and that the results are certified in a timely and lawful manner. Any attempts to subvert the process or spread false claims about the election will not be tolerated. As the country prepares for the upcoming election, these measures serve as a stark reminder of the importance of upholding the integrity of the democratic process.