Somerset County Activists Are Ready To 'Protect The Results'

WATCHUNG, NJ — It's a rally they hope they don't have to hold. A group of civic-engaged focused women from Somerset County called "Protect the Results Warren" say they've organized a tentative rally for Dec. 1 in the center of the township.

If President Donald Trump tries to undermine the 2020 election results, "Protect the Results Warren" will mobilize, says Ellyn Mantell of Watchung.

Mantell is one of eight women from Somerset County whose group is pro-democracy.

"We are peaceful women with peaceful mindsets," Mantell said. "We are a group of women of a certain age. Most of us have grandchildren and we want to protect the future for them."

Mantell said she decided to join the nationwide cause of Protect the Results after it "became rather obvious the past couple months that President Trump would be making it very difficult to accept the election results."

Mantell said the group organized and started recruiting people to support their cause. To date, they have about 180 people who are ready to rally to protect the election results.

The group had planned to rally this week but that was postponed and now a tentative rally is set for 1 p.m. in front of the municipal building at 42 Mountain Blvd. on Dec. 1. Attendees will be asked to wear face masks and social distance according to state coronavirus guidelines.

Mantell said participants will hold signs saying "Count Every Vote", "Every Vote Counts", and "Peaceful Transition of Power".

That rally may be moved up to a closer date or be canceled depending "if Trump tries to steal the election or prevent every vote from being counted."

Donald Trump has doubled down on claims that he won the 2020 presidential election, while Joe Biden's campaign said it will vigorously fight any efforts by the president to go to the U.S. Supreme Court to prevent outstanding ballots from being tabulated.

The Associated Press hasn't declared a winner in the rancor-filled race.

• See related article: Trump Wants To Take Election To Supreme Court; Biden Vows Fight

But Trump's claims and a push from his supporters to speed up vote counting have raised a red flag among his opponents, who say that more time is needed to ensure a fair, accurate election.

"It is only fair that every vote counts," Mantell said.

Protect the Results Warren is accepting any man or woman from across Somerset County to join their cause. There are already members from Basking Ridge, Watchung, Warren and Manville.

Anyone who is interested in attending the rally or learning more about Protect the Results Warren can visit click here or email Mantell at ellynmantell@aol.com or Malory Fischer at maloryfischer@gmail.com.

— Additional reporting by Eric Kiefer

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