OLYMPIA – Washington can protect democracy and free speech with a new law that would make it a crime for candidates and elected officials to lie about election results, Gov. Jay Inslee said Friday.
Inslee testified in support of his proposal that would make it a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine, for candidates or elected officials to “knowingly, recklessly or maliciously” make false statements about election results.
To be punished under this bill, the claims must:
Be intended to incite or produce imminent lawless action or do produce such action; are made for the purpose of undermining the election process or results; and falsely claim that an elected official or candidate did not win after any lawful challenge is completed and the election results are certified. Inslee announced on the one-year anniversary of the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol and State Capitol Campus that he would be pursuing this bill. On Friday, he called the events on Jan. 6 “a horrific insurrection” that is a “harbinger of what is to come.” “This isn’t our recent past,” Inslee said. “This is our future if we don’t act.”
Inslee said he has worked with constitutional law experts to craft the bill. He said it was very carefully written to protect the First Amendment.
George Washington University professor Catherine Ross, who helped write the language in the bill, testified in its favor Friday. Ross said after hearing about Inslee’s proposal, she wanted to help and make sure it was “done right.”
This legislation is in the works in several other blue states as well. Red states however have no problem with lawmakers lying about the outcome of elections.
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/jan/29/inslees-bill-to-make-lying-about-election-results-/
@vivify saidListen to yourselves, you fascists!
This doesn't go far enough. Any such lies, election or otherwise, should be just as illegal. But I'll take what we can get.
Who gets to decide what is a lie and what is not? You? Some unelected bureaucrat?
If Trump wins the next election, do you want his administration to have the power to shut down your speech because he thinks you are lying? Regulate your government, idiots, not your neighbors.
@sleepyguy saidThe OP refers to false claims that were "lawfully challenged" and did not win. So a legal hearing must first take place.
Listen to yourselves, you fascists!
Who gets to decide what is a lie and what is not? You? Some unelected bureaucrat?
If Trump wins the next election, do you want his administration to have the power to shut down your speech because he thinks you are lying? Regulate your government, idiots, not your neighbors.
Read the OP next time before before embarrassing yourself like this.
@mchill saidPresent law is sufficient.
OLYMPIA – Washington can protect democracy and free speech with a new law that would make it a crime for candidates and elected officials to lie about election results, Gov. Jay Inslee said Friday.
Inslee testified in support of his proposal that would make it a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine, for candidates or elected officials to ...[text shortened]...
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/jan/29/inslees-bill-to-make-lying-about-election-results-/
I expect such a law, if passed, would fail Constitutional muster.
@vivify said“ The OP refers to false claims that were "lawfully challenged" and did not win. So a legal hearing must first take place. ”
The OP refers to false claims that were "lawfully challenged" and did not win. So a legal hearing must first take place.
Read the OP next time before before embarrassing yourself like this.
this statement is a lie
@mchill saidmakes one question why are democrats our election system as is. The rules in place were not followed in the last election.
OLYMPIA – Washington can protect democracy and free speech with a new law that would make it a crime for candidates and elected officials to lie about election results, Gov. Jay Inslee said Friday.
Inslee testified in support of his proposal that would make it a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine, for candidates or elected officials to ...[text shortened]...
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/jan/29/inslees-bill-to-make-lying-about-election-results-/
@sleepyguy saidWhat?
Listen to yourselves, you fascists!
Who gets to decide what is a lie and what is not? You? Some unelected bureaucrat?
If Trump wins the next election, do you want his administration to have the power to shut down your speech because he thinks you are lying? Regulate your government, idiots, not your neighbors.
Well, somethings are verifiably true. And somethings are just complete and utter bollocks.
It’s not really rocket science.
You can claim that the planet is flat. It’s just not.
@mchill saidSounds like questioning any election result is considered a lie. What about when a real election fraud outcome happens? The truth will be considered a lie. Right?
OLYMPIA – Washington can protect democracy and free speech with a new law that would make it a crime for candidates and elected officials to lie about election results, Gov. Jay Inslee said Friday.
Inslee testified in support of his proposal that would make it a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail or a $5,000 fine, for candidates or elected officials to ...[text shortened]...
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/jan/29/inslees-bill-to-make-lying-about-election-results-/
@earl-of-trumps saidExactly.
it's likely unconstitutional.
what if the charges of cheating were quite real? then the election cheat would get protection from the law.
Is that what people really want? I don't think so. As is, people can say as they wish and let it be proven.
And who determines if it is a lie or not? This is a very real threat to democracy if we actually have one, but I doubt that. The majority are not being represented in government and it is obvious. The wealthy minority determine policy.
@metal-brain saidNo I suggest you and earl read the thread post again. It’s not and never will be illegal to tell the truth about any given election results.
Sounds like questioning any election result is considered a lie. What about when a real election fraud outcome happens? The truth will be considered a lie. Right?
It’s also never going to effect you, Earl or me because we are not candidates or elected officials.
The Tea Party and it’s opportunistic Republican politicos have made it necessary by calling into question the validity of democratic elections themselves.
It’s already been mentioned that no democrat voter is ever going to respect or believe the result of any election that they do not win and why should they?
@metal-brain saidLike the OP says: a "legal challenge" must be made. So this will be determined in the courts. For example, when Trump lost 60 different legal challenges, including from the Supreme Court.
Exactly.
And who determines if it is a lie or not?
Conservatives are quite amusingly pretending they didn't see the OP mention this. Probably because Trump's SIXTY losses still stings.