[evgen]

Everyone would be surprised if Trump wins, because at this point it is so mathematically improbable that even gun-shy decision desks at major news networks are able to make the call without fearing they will look like idiots. Recounts have never moved a state election more than a thousand votes that I am aware of and Trump is behind by tens of thousands in the states that matter. Lawsuits won't do anything, because no on has standing to prevent someone else from legitimately voting according to the rules in place at the time of election, nor of preventing someone else from counting those votes as legally mandated.

Trump lost, get over it.

[paulddraper]

> Lawsuits won't do anything

Lawsuits could definitely do something.

If there is fraud or misconduct, that can matter. Hell, the US spent two years investigating some Facebook ads and hackers.

But right now there's no clear indication that will in fact happen.

[evgen]

Elections are run by the states and so in almost all instances the federal courts will defer to the state courts when it comes to things like determination of fact. So far there has been no evidence of either fraud or misconduct and the thin claims put up so far have been laughed out of court. Lacking any claims of fraud or misconduct the only other option is to somehow be able to prove a miscount and since everyone learned their lesson with the hanging chads of the butterfly ballots this is exceedingly unlikely. With no claims to be made by anyone with standing the states are on a clock in terms of exercising their Article 2 powers.

On the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December (Dec 14) the electors are going to meet in the respective state capitals, whereupon they will cast their votes and attach six copies of their vote to six Certificates of Ascertainment which will go to the president of the Senate (Chuck Grassley), two to the national archivist (David Ferriero), and then one to their secretary of state and one to the chief justice of whatever federal district their state it in. Voila! Now at 12:01 on the 20th of January anyone, even you, could deliver the oath of office to Joe Biden and swear him in as the 46th president.

[paulddraper]

> Elections are run by the states and so in almost all instances the federal courts will defer to the state courts when it comes to things like determination of fact.

Yes.