Over the last few days, what had appeared to be a lead in vote totals in some battleground states that would be enough to secure President Donald Trump’s reelection has evaporated.

The presidential election has since gone from uncertain to leaning in Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s favor. Some are questioning how that has come to be and have raised the possibility that fraud is at play.

During an interview with Mobile radio’s FM Talk 106.5, U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Hoover) argued for an increase in penalties for those found guilty of committing voter fraud. He emphasized the sacrifices made to protect voting rights and said it appeared to him that the public’s will is being undermined.

“One of the things I think we need to do going forward is to take seriously voter fraud and pass some laws that will put penalties in place that will really be severe if you get caught,” he said. “Right now, people feel like they can really get away with it. It is kind of a slap on the wrist for most people. Jeff, there are millions of Americans who gave their lives. Some were grievously injured or wounded in service of our country to protect our right to vote. That is a sacred trust that our government gives every citizen — their right to self-determination, the right to pick the people for government.”

“And I don’t know if enough people have realized this, but that has been taken away,” Palmer continued. “That’s across the board, Jeff. There are people who get elected that I don’t agree with, but I know they got elected fair and square. Those people have a right to choose who represents them. That’s not what’s happening in these states. I’m fully convinced that the will of the people has been thwarted.”

@Jeff_Poor is a graduate of Auburn University and the University of South Alabama, the editor of Breitbart TV, a columnist for Mobile’s Lagniappe Weekly, and host of Mobile’s “The Jeff Poor Show” from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. on FM Talk 106.5.