Pennsylvania Republicans Challenge Trump's Call to "Nationalize" Elections
Following President Donald Trump's recent call for the federal government to "nationalize" elections, two former high-ranking Pennsylvania officials have voiced their perspectives. Former Governor Tom Corbett and former U.S. District Court Judge John Jones III, both Republicans, are involved with Keep Our Republic, a nonprofit established in 2020 to address unsubstantiated voter fraud claims through civic education and engagement with election officials.
Constitutional Hurdles to Federal Election Takeover
Both Corbett and Jones firmly assert that a federal nationalization of elections, as proposed by Trump, lacks constitutional backing.
Corbett stated that Article I, Section Four of the U.S. Constitution unambiguously assigns the manner of elections to the states and their legislatures, not the federal Executive Branch or Congress.
He described Trump's aspiration to nationalize elections as constitutionally unfeasible.
Jones concurred with this assessment. He asserted that without a constitutional amendment, nationalizing elections to the extent of federal takeover is a "nonstarter." Jones recommended that the president consult the Constitution regarding such proposals.
Differing Views on Court Intervention and Potential Disruptions
While both agree on the constitutional limitations, their outlook on potential court intervention and the stability of future elections diverges.
Corbett expressed strong confidence that federal courts would quickly intervene to uphold state and local election administration. He cited the numerous unsuccessful lawsuits filed by Trump in 2020, which sought to overturn election results, as a precedent for such judicial action.
Corbett suggested Trump's call might be a "negotiation tactic" or "political ploy" to gain access to state voter rolls or advocate for voter identification requirements.
Jones, however, expressed less optimism regarding the upcoming election. He predicted that the administration might employ various tactics to disrupt the election process. Jones referenced past actions such as seizing 2020 election-related materials from Fulton County, Georgia, and Trump's past comments about regretting not seizing voting machines, as indicators of potential future disruptions.
Jones also highlighted potential indirect methods the federal government could use to influence voting. He pointed to efforts to obtain voter role information in states like Minnesota, which he believes could be intended to delegitimize elections or intimidate voters.
Underlying Faith in State Election Administration
Despite concerns about potential disruptions, both Corbett and Jones emphasized a consistent theme: Trump's claims of widespread voter fraud have consistently failed to gain traction in courts.
Jones specifically expressed faith in the dedication of Pennsylvania's 67 counties and their election officials to conduct elections accurately and reliably.