"There certainly have been instances throughout our lifetime and throughout history of voter fraud,” Mike Pence says. | Getty Pence says he doesn't anticipate widespread voter fraud

Despite what his running mate has said regularly on the campaign trail, Republican vice presidential nominee Mike Pence said Friday morning that he does not expect widespread voter fraud to steal the election out from under the Republican ticket.

“What I believe is, obviously, George, you've been at this a long time, there certainly have been instances throughout our lifetime and throughout history of voter fraud,” Pence told ABC’s George Stephanopoulos in an interview on “Good Morning America.”


“But not that could change a national election,” Stephanopoulos interjected.

“Well, I don't anticipate that that's the case,” Pence replied. “But it's a good time for people whether you're Republican or Democrat or independent, to find a respectful way to participate in the election process, to vote and also to be a part of the polling.”

As his poll numbers have slipped in recent weeks, GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump has begun to regularly suggest, without evidence, that the election might be rigged against him. Part of that rigged system, Trump has said, is anchored by a biased media that favors Democrats, but he has also suggested that the election results themselves could be doctored.

As a remedy, he has urged his supporters to pour into cities like Philadelphia and St. Louis to watch polling places. His campaign has worked to recruit “election observers” with a page on its website, asking supporters to “"Help Me Stop Crooked Hillary From Rigging This Election!”