Twitter flags Trump’s tweet about voting in NC for violating election integrity rules

RALEIGH, N.C. — President Donald Trump tweeted on Sunday about voting in North Carolina and Twitter flagged it for violating its election integrity rules.

Trump wrote in the tweet: “NORTH CAROLINA: To make sure your Ballot COUNTS, sign & send it in EARLY. When Polls open, go to your Polling Place to see if it was COUNTED. IF NOT, VOTE! Your signed Ballot will not count because your vote has been posted. Don’t let them illegally take your vote away from you!”

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein said people shouldn’t do what the president said.

“Do NOT vote twice (it’s a felony), or waste your time, or unnecessarily risk exposure to more people," he said in a tweet.

Stein said people should send their vote in early, then track it through the state’s new online tool, BallotTrax.

A Trump campaign spokesperson defended the president’s tweet.

“President Trump wants to make sure Americans who vote absentee cast their ballot early, then verify their vote was indeed counted by visiting the polls or the local registrar in person. Ensuring your vote is counted is not a nefarious act but a basic American right," the spokesperson said.

North Carolina started mailing absentee ballots last week and there is record demand because of the pandemic.

As of Friday, more than 750,000 people had requested ballots. That number is 15 times higher than four years ago. About 10,000 people have already mailed their ballots.

Stein said he wants people to mail their ballot as soon as possible so the postal service won’t get overloaded around Election Day.

Trump faces pushback for urging people to vote twice as test

Cox Media Group