As President Donald Trump alleges election fraud in the presidential race and calls for ballot counting to be stopped, a few Utah politicians say every vote must be counted.
Sen. Mitt Romney issued a statement Thursday on Twitter saying the counting process is long and frustrating but the votes will be counted.
“Counting every vote is at the heart of democracy,” Romney says in the statement. “That process is often long, and for those running, frustrating. The votes will be counted. If there are irregularities alleged, they will be investigated and ultimately resolved in the courts. Have faith in democracy, in our constitution and in the American people.”
Trump tweeted “STOP THE COUNT” on Thursday morning.
Gov. Gary Herbert also issued a statement on Twitter saying ballots should be counted.
“In Utah, our system ensures every properly cast vote is counted and accurately reflected in totals,” he tweeted. “We trust that is the case in other states. We should ensure every eligible person has the opportunity to vote — and that their vote, if properly cast, is counted.”
Gov.-elect Spencer Cox, the current lieutenant governor, said in a statement on Twitter that people should be patient as votes are counted and accept the results of the election.
“I didn’t see the president’s press conference. However, elections are the foundation of our country,” Cox said. “Please don’t believe unfounded allegations that destroy trust in the process. We must be patient while every legal vote is counted, accept the results and move forward together.”
Cox told The Salt Lake Tribune on Wednesday that he was troubled by Trump calling the election a fraud.
Romney said in October that he didn’t vote for Trump in this election, but he would not say who he voted for instead. In 2016, he wrote his wife’s name in instead of voting for Trump.
Romney has publicly criticized Trump in the past. Last month, he criticized the president’s refusal to condemn QAnon.
