Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) on Monday came out forcefully against Donald Trump’s claims that polling places nationwide would be “rigged” against his candidacy on Election Day.
“We have 67 counties in this state, each of which conduct their own elections. I promise you there is not a 67-county conspiracy to rig this election,” Rubio began at a debate with his Senate opponent, Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-FL). “The governor of the state of Florida is a Republican who appoints the people that run the division of elections.”
Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R-FL) recently made election news by refusing to extend the state’s voter registration deadline in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. A federal judge extended the deadline a week after Florida Democrats sued Scott.
“There’s no evidence behind any of this,” Rubio said of Trump’s claims. “And so this should not continue to be said. And do I believe people should have confidence? Yes. And do I believe they should vote? Absolutely. And let me add to this: This is a state that literally has millions of people who came here because they couldn’t vote in the nation of their birth. It would be a tragedy if they gave up their vote here as well.”
Trump has claimed frequently in recent weeks that the election will be rigged in Hillary Clinton’s favor. While many in Trump’s campaign, including campaign manager Kellyanne Conway and adviser Rudy Giuliani, have argued Trump is merely referring to what he perceives as unfair news coverage, Trump himself has repeatedly cited voter fraud and the rigging of physical polling places:
“@THEREALMOGUL: 41% of American voters believe the election could be “stolen” from DonaldTrump due to widespread voter fraud. – Politico”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 18, 2016
Of course there is large scale voter fraud happening on and before election day. Why do Republican leaders deny what is going on? So naive!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 17, 2016
The election is absolutely being rigged by the dishonest and distorted media pushing Crooked Hillary – but also at many polling places – SAD
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 16, 2016
Watch Rubio’s answers below: