Rantz: Ignore baseless conspiracy theories and vote early in Washington

A group of well-intentioned Republican voters say you shouldn’t cast your primary ballots early. Please ignore everything they say.

You have your ballot in hand. You’re ready to send a decisive message that it’s time for Senator Patty Murray and Congresswoman Kim Schrier to retire from politics. You should send in your ballot immediately, rather than wait until the last moment to vote.

Some Washingtonians believe there’s widespread cheating in our elections. Consequently, they think holding off until the last minute before turning in their vote gives cheaters less time to interfere. This nonsensical claim hurts Republicans.

Turn in those ballots early

When you turn in your ballot early, you can track it online to ensure your county received it. But sometimes, there are issues.

The US postal service makes mistakes and can lose mail. If that happens, you will have much more time to address the lost ballot, including reprinting a new one.

“We have to operate under the model in which we are in,” Republican WA-08 candidate Jesse Jensen told the Jason Rantz Show on KTTH. “If there’s an issue with your ballot, we need time to be able to fix those issues. And we can do so if you submit your ballot early. If you hold onto it and wait until the very last day and there is an error, a signature issue, or what have you, we don’t have time to rehab those ballots and your vote may not count.”

It’s not just about curing ballots. Voting early saves your favorite campaigns time and funds.

When you vote early, especially if you’re identified as a likely voter, campaigns counting on your support won’t waste time contacting you to nudge you to turn in your vote. That means they can spend time with others who are either on the fence or made the mistake of waiting until the last minute.

“I think it’s better for Republicans to vote early. To vote now. Your vote will be counted and that way, I don’t have to call you 87 times over the next two weeks to make sure you turned in your ballot. Do yourself a favor, turn it in, and let your voice be heard with a roar this year,” King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn, and WA-08 candidate, told the Jason Rantz Show on KTTH.

Hey Washington State: you have your ballots. Make sure you vote.

Get ballots in EARLY. Don’t wait until the last day. pic.twitter.com/WAVXy1uBrC

— Jason Rantz on KTTH Radio (@jasonrantz) July 17, 2022

Baseless, non-sensical conspiracies

There are no real arguments to justify waiting to vote; there are merely conspiracy theories. After Dino Rossi had his election stolen from him, I certainly understand the concern. And I’m not saying there’s never any fraud.

But many of these arguments make no sense.

“Many of us believe that by submitting ballots early it allows those in control of elections to fabricate the ballots needed to swing an election, some even on a napkin which is now legal in Washington,” one conservative tweeted.

So the cheaters will only manipulate the election if you mail in your ballot early? Apparently, these nefarious actors suddenly turn into honest brokers the closer you get to the election.

Others believe the post office will purposefully lose your ballot. Waiting until the last minute gives you no options in the unlikely event a postal worker takes out his or her political intolerance on you.

No one is suggesting voter fraud doesn’t happen in Washington or anywhere else. But these conspiracy theories and plots go too far. Reading a blog by some lunatic who did independent research and knows for certain an election was stolen? Please.

Self-fulfilling prophecy

Some conservatives refuse to vote because it’s a “rigged election.” Their proof? A result they don’t like.

“Jay Inslee won re-election. How can that possibly be? They’re cheating!” they insist.

Maybe if they actually voted and convinced others to vote we’d win some of these elections. Washington is deeply blue and conservatives need every vote we can muster. People who foolishly sit out elections or put out enough drivel to convince others to sit out elections makes it easier for good candidates to lose. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.

These voters won’t vote, convince others not to, see results they don’t like because of their lack of participation, and claim some statewide conspiracy.

If you actually think there is some massive conspiracy, then make it harder for the bad actors by actually voting in large numbers. If you are just someone who naturally waits until the last minute, perhaps consider getting it over with more quickly this time. It might help Washington play its role in the midterm red wave.

Listen to the Jason Rantz Show weekday afternoons from 3–6 pm on KTTH 770 AM (HD Radio 97.3 FM HD-Channel 3). Subscribe to the podcast here. Follow @JasonRantz  on  Twitter,  Instagram, and Facebook. Check back frequently for more news and analysis.

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