GOP Rep. Calvert Explains Why He Rejected AZ, PA Election Results

SOUTHWEST RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — On Wednesday, Republican Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42), who represents most of Southwest Riverside County and surrounding areas, was in the U.S. Capitol Wednesday to vote on the certification of electoral college votes.

The day was marred by violence from supporters of President Donald Trump who broke away from peaceful protesters and rioted on Capitol Hill, but Calvert and his colleagues were able to finish their work in the early morning hours Thursday.

The congressman's politics are often in step with Trump's. While he condemned Wednesday's violent insurgence, Calvert voted to deny certification of election results from Arizona and Pennsylvania — states where President-Elect Joe Biden defeated Trump in the November election.

With his votes to deny certification in both states, Calvert joined six other U.S. House Republicans from California, including Darrell Issa, who represents the 50th Congressional District that includes part of Temecula. House GOP leader Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield and Reps. Mike Garcia of Santa Clarita, Doug LaMalfa of Richvale, Devin Nunes of Tulare and Jay Obernolte of Big Bear Lake were the others.

Despite the GOP objections, the House still voted to reject.

Calvert issued a statement Thursday outlining his vote. Like Trump and his supporters, the congressman questioned the election results in the key states. Arizona represents 11 electoral college votes while Pennsylvania represents 20.

"During difficult and divisive times in our nation I believe we must follow the Constitution. That’s why today I lent my voice to the millions of Americans and my constituents who are deeply concerned by the integrity of the election," Calvert said. "I remain especially troubled by Constitutionally questionable changes of voting rules in some states by authorities other than state legislatures."

Regarding Pennsylvania, Calvert questioned the authority of the state Supreme Court to allow absentee ballots to be returned and counted up to three days after Election Day provided they were not postmarked after Nov. 3. He cited Republican Party of Pennsylvania v. Boockvar, which is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. The case also asks whether the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's decision was preempted by federal statutes that establish a uniform nationwide federal Election Day.

As for Arizona, Calvert said he questioned the validity of the ballot counting, particularly in Maricopa County.

"In a state where the margin of victory was .3%, it is imperative that we have confidence in the vote tabulation. I support a forensic investigation of all serious allegations of voter fraud and my objection today reflects the concerns I have that must be remedied for future elections," Calvert said.

"Let’s be clear, votes to object to the counting of Electoral Votes as a means of highlighting election irregularities are not unprecedented. In fact, Congressional Democrats have raised similar objections when every Republican was elected president over the past two decades," the congressman continued.

While Calvert's claim about Democrats objecting is correct, some would argue that — regardless of party — the certification process by the House and Senate is an inappropriate venue to overturn decisions of the states.

To date, more than 50 unsuccessful legal challenges have been mounted by the Trump team in an effort to overturn election results.

"Make no mistake this was not a decision I take lightly," Calvert explained. "However, moving forward, we must demand states establish election laws through constitutional means and execute the election process in a more orderly and transparent manner to ensure every American can have confidence in the integrity of our elections. We cannot allow unelected judges and election officials to usurp the powers explicitly given in the Constitution to state legislatures and determine how our elections are run."

Calvert said he acknowledged that Thursday’s certification of the Electoral College votes by Congress means the U.S. will have a new president on January 20.

"When Joe Biden occupies the White House, my priorities as a conservative will remain the same: I will continue to fight for American military dominance, fiscal responsibility, an assertive stance towards China, pro-law enforcement policies, and an end to illegal immigration," he said.