Virginia Officials Say Trump Voter Fraud Claim Is Baseless

President-elect Donald Trump’s claim of “serious voter fraud” in Virginia was rebuked Monday by the state’s top election official and others who said the Republican’s claim is baseless.

“The claims of voter fraud in Virginia during the Nov. 8 election are unfounded,” state Election Commissioner Edgardo Cortés said in a email. “The election was fair and all votes cast by eligible voters were accurately counted.”

As part of a series of statements Sunday on his Twitter account, Trump wrote: “Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California – so why isn’t the media reporting on this? Serious bias – big problem!”

He also claimed he would have won the popular vote “if you deduct the millions of people who voted illegally” but offered no proof of any of the accusations.

Trump defeated Democrat Hillary Clinton in the electoral college vote, which is based on individual state vote counts, but lost the national popular vote by more than two million votes. Virginia, California and New Hampshire are among the states carried by Clinton.

State Sen. Don McEachin, who was elected to Congress on Nov. 8, said in an email that Trump “is attacking the very citizens he is supposed to lead as president. Everyone who cares about our democracy should demand an explanation: Why has Trump made this claim?”

“If he has evidence, Trump should share it immediately. But there is no evidence, because this reckless and damaging claim is just one more attempt to distract us from his very real problems — including deep conflicts of interest that have recently come to light,” said McEachin, a Democrat who recently was elected in the 4th Congressional District.

State Del. Scott Taylor, a Republican elected to the 2nd Congressional District seat this month, said he’s heard of past reports of “potential voter fraud” but wasn’t aware of any “widespread and systemic voter fraud in Virginia” alleged by Trump.

“To be honest… He’s going to be going to be the next president,” said Taylor, who supported Trump’s candidacy. “It’s a much bigger position than any of his insecurities or his ego. So he should just move on.”

John Whitbeck, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, declined to comment about Trump’s claims.

This story originally appeared on PilotOnline.com.

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