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We must insist on fair, honest election

President Donald Trump’s insistence that the November election was plagued by vote fraud are being dismissed by many. They should not be ignored — or forgotten.

President-elect Joe Biden’s victory seems sound. His vote margins in critical states were wide enough that it is difficult to believe fraud occurred widely enough to reverse the verdict. Biden will take office in January.

Still, insisting there was no vote fraud is absurd for a very good reason.

Even if it did not occur frequently enough to affect the presidential election, fraud is unacceptable at any level. A few hundred fraudulent votes in one city may not have changed the Biden-Trump race — but it could have an effect on local, even state candidates and tax issues.

Congress — with bipartisan agreement — should look closely into the November election. If fraud is uncovered, those responsible should be punished severely. Information gained should be used to make the election process more secure.

Failing to take those steps would be an invitation to fraud in future elections — and no one can say which of the major political parties would be the primary beneficiary. Recognizing that now is not taking sides between Trump and Biden. It is merely insisting that we Americans pick our leaders honestly.

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