GOP challenges dealt blows in three states
PHILADELPHIA— Republicans suffered setbacks to court challenges over the presidential election in three battleground states on Friday.
A federal appeals court rejected an effort to block about 9,300 mail-in ballots that arrived after Election Day in Pennsylvania. The judges noted the “vast disruption” and “unprecedented challenges” facing the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic as they upheld the three-day extension.
A Philadelphia judge found no evidence of widespread voter fraud as he refused to reject about 8,300 mail-in ballots there.
In Michigan, a judge refused to stop the certification of Detroit-area election results, rejecting claims the city had committed fraud and tainted the count with its handling of absentee ballots.
In Arizona, a judge dismissed a Trump campaign lawsuit seeking the inspection of ballots in metro Phoenix after the campaign’s lawyers acknowledged the small number of ballots at issue wouldn’t change the outcome of how the state voted for president.
Final score: 306-232
The New York Times and CNN projected Friday that President-elect Joe Biden would win Georgia and its 16 electoral votes, while, along with the Associated Press, declaring that President Donald Trump has won North Carolina and its 15 electoral votes.
Biden, who was declared the winner of the election on Nov. 7, has 306 electoral votes and defeated Trump by flipping Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona and Georgia. Trump finished with 232 electoral votes.
The AP still has not called the race in Georgia, which is conducting a recount.
Nevada gov positive for COVID-19
CARSONCITY, Nev.— Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak on Friday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 as the virus surges to record levels in the state and across the U.S. The 66-year-old Democrat said on a call with reporters he was not experiencing any symptoms and was swabbed for a rapid test on Friday morning as a matter of routine. After it yielded a positive result, he also underwent molecular testing and his sample is still being processed.