GOP governor vows ‘we will not back down’ in battle with DNC over Biden’s demands
Republican Vermont Governor Phil Scott is standing up to the demand of the Democratic National Committee that all states expand mail-in voting during the coronavirus pandemic.
At a press conference on Monday, Scott said he will not abandon his pledge to protect the safety of voters by refusing to expand mail-in voting despite the increasing pressure from the DNC.
“I know this is an incredibly difficult situation, and we need to keep doing everything we can to protect the safety of our citizens,” Scott said. “But I must also remain conscious of the responsibility I have to protect the integrity of our elections.”
Scott isn’t alone; Governors in other Republican-led states, such as South Carolina and Tennessee, are also refusing to expand mail-in voting.
President Joe Biden has recently voiced his support for much greater access to mail-in voting. He has argued that it is necessary to ensure the safety of voters during COVID-19 while also protecting the integrity of the election.
The DNC argues it is the responsibility of state governments to adhere to the President’s requests, but Gov. Scott is pushing back against the pressure.
“I want to assure people that we will not back down,” Scott said. “It is important to protect the integrity of our elections and ensure everyone can exercise their right to vote, and I cannot in good conscience permit any changes that would weaken those protections.”