US President Donald Trump has alleged, without providing evidence, that American elections are “corrupt” and questioned why some cities and states take
longer to count votes than other countries, as Republicans head towards a closely watched midterm election. Trump made the remarks on Truth Social on Sunday, comparing the US vote-counting process with Brazil’s presidential election. “125 Million People voted today in the first round of Brazil's Presidential Election. The results came out shortly after the vote closed, on the SAME DAY!” Trump wrote. He then singled out Detroit, Philadelphia and California, claiming that election results in parts of the United States can take significantly longer to be finalised. “In Detroit, Philadelphia, California, and numerous other U.S. Cities and States, the results, with much smaller numbers, will often take weeks to Rig, I mean, calculate. Voting in America is CORRUPT!!!” Trump said. Trump did not provide evidence that delays in counting votes in the locations he mentioned were the result of fraud, manipulation or attempts to rig elections. US elections are administered through a decentralised system, with states and local jurisdictions responsible for conducting elections and counting ballots. Differences in election laws, ballot-processing procedures, mail-in voting rules and the timing of when ballots can be processed can affect how quickly results are reported. Trump has repeatedly questioned the integrity of US elections and made unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud following the 2020 presidential election. His latest comments come weeks before the November midterm elections, when Republicans will defend their majorities and seek to maintain control of Congress. Election officials and voting experts have previously stressed that vote counts can continue after polls close as officials verify and tally legally cast ballots. Media projections made on election night are also separate from the formal certification of results by election authorities. Trump's latest remarks could further focus attention on election administration and vote counting as candidates from both parties campaign for control of Congress.
