U.S. President Donald Trump delivers a speech during a tour of the Double Eagle Energy Oil Rig in Midland, Texas, U.S., July 29, 2020.(Photo by= REUTERS/Carlos Barria) |
[아시아뉴스통신=레악카나 기자] US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Jul 30) raised the possibility of delaying the nation's November presidential election despite its date being enshrined in the US Constitution. Trump, without evidence, repeated his claims of mail-in voter fraud, tweeting: "Delay the election until people can properly, securely and safely vote???" Representatives for the White House did not immediately respond to a ask for comment.
Only Congress can change the election date, which is set by law on Nov 3. With Democrats ruling the Lower House, that seems highly unlikely to happen.Trump has before cast doubt on the legitimacy of mail-in ballots, which have been used in far greater numbers in primary elections amid the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also claimed that voting will be rigged and has refused to say he would accept official election results if he lost.
During the presidential primary contests earlier this year, several states delayed voting or opened fewer polling sites.Trump had earlier scrapped an upcoming Republican Party nominating convention in Florida, saying it was not the right time to do a "big, crowded convention".Democrats, including presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden, have already begun preparations to protect voters and the election amid fears that Trump will try to interfere with the Nov 3 election.