Trump suggests people Google searching how to change their votes from Biden to him after 2nd debate: 'Go do it'
President Donald Trump, on Tuesday, October 27, suggested that there was an increase in the number of people searching on Google about how to change their votes and nudged them to "go do it," claiming they wanted to switch to him. The Republican made the comment after an apparent increase in the search after the final presidential debate between him and political rival Joe Biden. Trump, who is lagging in polls, however, suggested that the recent searches on Google meant that people who had already voted in the elections wanted to change their choice and back him instead.
A recent report by the Associated Press stated that with just days left for election day, more people have cast their ballots already in this year’s presidential election, set on November 3, than early or absentee voting in the 2016 race. "Strongly Trending (Google) since immediately after the second debate is CAN I CHANGE MY VOTE? This refers changing it to me," Trump tweeted Tuesday morning. "The answer in most states is YES. Go do it. Most important Election of your life!"
Strongly Trending (Google) since immediately after the second debate is CAN I CHANGE MY VOTE? This refers changing it to me. The answer in most states is YES. Go do it. Most important Election of your life!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 27, 2020
The president had made similar comments during his 2016 run when he encouraged people to "change your vote to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" if they felt that voting for then-political rival and Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton was a "big mistake."
Google searches for "can I change my vote after voting" increased by 500 percent over the last day in the United States, while searches for "can I change my vote after mail in" have increased 140 percent during the same period, according to Google Trends. Reports state that searches for "can I change my vote" increased sharply after Trump's tweet. Data shows that searches for "can I change my vote in Texas" and "can I change my vote in Florida" were also up 250 percent and 200 percent. In some of the states in the country, once a voter casts an early vote, it is fixed, however, some others allow people to change their candidate.
Matthew Weil, director of the Election Project at the Bipartisan Policy Center, while talking to Newsy, said: "In some states, you can submit your ballot, have a change of heart and, and submit a new ballot." New York, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Mississippi are among states that allow voters to change their early votes. While states like Florida, North Carolina, Ohio, and Arizona do not allow voters to alter their vote after it is cast.
Trump's tweet came hours after his infamous '60 Minutes' interview was aired on CBS News, where the president walked off mid-interview after he was asked tough questions from Lesley Stahl. The president's annoyance with Stahl during the interview began immediately after she began the interview by asking him: "Are you ready for some tough questions?" The president, mid-interview, brought it up before walking out. He told Stahl: "Excuse me. Lesley you started with your first statement was are you ready for tough questions. That's no way to talk."