Susan Collins: ‘We must all respect the outcome of elections’

Maine Sen. Susan Collins, a leading Republican moderate who won a competitive race this week, on Friday urged both parties to “respect the outcome” of the election and defer to the state law on the counting of votes. 

“States have the authority to determine the specific rules of elections. Every valid vote under a state’s law should be counted. Allegations of irregularities can be adjudicated by the courts. We must all respect the outcome of elections,” Collins said. 

Collins won reelection to a fifth term this week with 51.1 percent of the vote, even though Democratic nominee Joe Biden beat President Trump by 10 percentage points in Maine. She so far is the only Republican incumbent to win reelection in a state carried by Biden. 

Democrats defeated Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) and appear to have ousted Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) in two other states where Biden won and is leading in the vote tally, respectively.

Collins’s statement followed similar remarks tweeted Friday morning by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who urged respect for the process.

“Here’s how this must work in our great country: Every legal vote should be counted. Any illegally-submitted ballots must not. All sides must get to observe the process. And the courts are here to apply the laws & resolve disputes. That’s how Americans’ votes decide the result,” the GOP leader tweeted.

McConnell appeared to throw some support to Trump by warning that “illegally-submitted ballots” must not be counted but he stopped short of endorsing the president’s claims of widespread election fraud.

Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), a frequent critic of the president, on Thursday urged patience with the process.

“Counting every vote is at the heart of democracy. That process is often long and, for those running, frustrating. The votes will be counted. If there are irregularities alleged, they will be investigated and ultimately resolved in the courts,” he said.

“Have faith in democracy, in our Constitution, and in the American people,” he said.