Democratic Governors Association

Contribute

Chip in to protect our blue firewall!

If we want to stop the Republicans' dangerous agenda, defend reproductive rights, and protect our democracy, we have to keep pace with the GOP's millions in fundraising. Please don’t wait: rush your gift to elect Dem govs >>

Govs On Deck – November 5, 2020

Govs on Deck

Share

Welcome to “Govs on Deck – Election Week special edition” – a quick roundup of what our DemGovs are up to in the states we can’t stop talking about. 


As always, questions or suggestions? Send me a note at amestoy@dga.net. You can find us all on Twitter too – @A_Tall_Turner, @CEAmestoy, and @andersonkayjay.


We want this to be helpful, so let us know what other info/what other formats you’d like to see for these updates.


Dem Govs Get It Done – Democracy Edition: 


NOTE: This is an overview of recent actions, not a comprehensive roundup of everything our incredible governors are doing. Want more examples? Send me an email and I can help you track down answers.


Michigan:


  • Where we are: Gov. Gretchen WHITMER released a statement congratulating Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, Senator Gary Peters, Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack, and Justice-Elect Elizabeth Welch on their victories. 
    • The governor noted that the state saw record-breaking numbers of votes cast, with over 5.1 million votes and over 3.2 million absentee ballots cast.
  • Election Day: On Tuesday, Gov. Gretchen WHITMER made clear that the vote would not be final until the vote is final. She urged voters to be patient and noted that the result could take a few days. 
  • How we got here: In October, Gov. Gretchen WHITMER signed Senate Bill 757, a bipartisan bill designed to help the state ensure every vote was counted. The bill allows clerks in certain cities or townships to begin processing absentee ballots prior to election day. It also provides that clerks will notify voters of any reason their vote won’t be counted within 48 hours. 


Nevada:


  • Where we are: Updates results are expected out of Nevada starting today at 9 AM PT/12 PM ET. Nearly all of the outstanding ballots that have yet to be included in the tally are mail-in ballots. 
  • How we got here: In August, Gov. Steve SISOLAK signed legislation to automatically mail every active voter an absentee ballot for the November general election.
    • Last year, Gov. Steve SISOLAK also signed legislation allowing all counties and cities to create voting centers, allowing voters to register online up to the Thursday before Election Day, and creating same-day voter registration for Election Day.


North Carolina:


  • Where we are: Updated results in North Carolina are not expected for another week. Over 100k mail-in ballots are still outstanding, as well as provisional ballots. 
  • How we got here: In June, Gov. Roy COOPER  signed legislation that provided money to help run North Carolina elections safely and securely during the COVID-19 pandemic and making it easier to cast mail-in absentee ballots this fall.
    • In September, the state’s Board of Elections, which is appointed by Gov. Roy COOPER, updated the ballot curing process as well as extended the deadline for mail-in ballots, postmarked by Nov. 3rd, to be received and counted. 


Pennsylvania:


  • Where we are: Today, Gov. Tom WOLF reaffirmed his commitment to counting every vote in the 2020 general election and condemned all efforts to stop the vote count before every eligible vote is counted. 
    • Yesterday, Gov. Tom WOLF condemned the Trump campaign for filing a lawsuit to stop the counting of ballots in Pennsylvania
  • Election Day: Gov. Tom WOLF released a video message urging Pennsylvanians to remain calm and stay united on election night and the days ahead. This has been a historic election amid a pandemic and with millions of ballots cast by mail and in person. While counting those ballots will take more time than in past years, Pennsylvania will have a fair election and every eligible vote must be counted.
  • How we got here: In the weeks leading up to the election, Gov. Tom WOLF urged the state legislature to take actions that would allow counties to begin processing mail-in ballots before election day. The GOP led legislature did not. 
    • Last year, Gov. Tom WOLF signed legislation establishing no-excuse vote-by-mail absentee voting in the state. 


Wisconsin:


  • Where we are: Gov. Tony Evers has said that the Trump campaign has the right to request a recount in the state if they desire. 
    • But, even former GOP Gov. Scott Walker called the lead Biden currently holds a “high hurdle” for the Trump campaign to overcome. Gov. Tony EVERS noted that “not many times that I have agreed with former Governor Walker, but when he said it’s a high hurdle, 20,000 votes, I agree.,” 
    • Yesterday, Gov. Tony EVERS said that allegations from President Trump’s campaign claiming irregularities in the state’s election is irresponsible.
  • How we got here: The Wisconsin Election Commission, of which, Gov. Tony EVERS has appointed two members, approved a plan in June to send absentee ballot request forms to most registered voters despite a last-minute push by a Republican lawmaker to halt the effort. 


That’s all we’ve got for today. We’ll be back to our normal newsletter on Monday!