South North Carolina News

President Donald Trump will have a "steep hill to climb" in fighting unofficial election results that show former Vice President Joe Biden winning the presidency, Robeson County Republican Party Phillip Stephens chairman said.

The Associated Press on Nov. 7 called the election for Biden, making him the president-elect, but Trump has not conceded amid lawsuits and investigations of alleged voter irregularities.

"Election irregularities are always a steep hill to climb for many reasons," Stephens told the South North Carolina News. "It should seem odd to voters that states in question have Democrat governors with many boards run by Democrats. It should seem odd that there is evidence some wished to block observers."

However, despite Republican claims and suggestions, there has been no discovery of widespread voter fraud. Several U.S. agencies released a statement on Nov. 12 saying that the Nov. 3 elections "most secure in American history," and there was no widespread fraud.

Both Democrats and Republicans should be concerned about alleged irregularities, Stephens said.

"If we can't get free and fair elections that welcome transparency right in our nation, where do you go to find the democratic standard?" he asked.

Stephens is doubtful Biden will support GOP values.

"Biden has made it clear he has no desire to consider GOP values," said Stephens. "His potential staff have been even clearer that they oppose GOP values. The only good outcome from a Biden presidency is an energized conservative movement."

However, the election could help improve the nation's electoral system by leading to stronger safeguards, the GOP chair said.

"We need to guard the integrity of a vote," said Stephens. "Voter fraud units, cameras in polling sites, strict validation procedures, criminal charges when voter fraud is uncovered, voter ID and many other specific safeguards are needed."

He compared voting to protecting the nation's currency.

"We safeguard our monetary system in the US because of its value to our economy," he said. "Votes are the currency of an election and its value should be safeguarded as stringently as it is the lifeblood of a democracy."