Donald Trump is not shying away from controversy as he continues to question the fairness of the upcoming 2024 election. Drawing from his past playbook, Trump makes frequent, unverified claims about the integrity of the election process.
The strategy involves emphasising alleged voting irregularities, despite the lack of substantial evidence to support his assertions. Concerns linger over how these tactics affect voter trust as Election Day approaches.
Trump’s Strategy and Recent Allegations
Trump is once again raising doubts about election integrity, reusing tactics from the 2020 presidential race. He has made baseless accusations that Democrats are engaged in election fraud and highlighted isolated issues as fraudulent attempts to undermine his candidacy. Notably, he has spoken about noncitizens voting without evidence and questioned the verification of overseas ballots. Despite encouraging his supporters to vote by mail, he claims illegitimacy in mail-in ballots.
Pennsylvania’s Pivotal Role
Pennsylvania may be the deciding state in the 2024 presidential election, intensifying scrutiny over its voting processes. Trump has alleged cheating in Pennsylvania despite lacking evidence. Recently, concerns arose about fraudulent voter applications in Lancaster County which were actually flagged by systems designed to detect such irregularities, as noted by former Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar.
The state faces ongoing legal challenges including disputes over mail-in ballot rules. Trump and the Republicans successfully pushed to extend mail voting in Bucks County amidst claims of voters being turned away. Such legal actions amplify concerns of misinformation thriving in an already contentious electoral climate.
Social Media Misinformation
Spreading misinformation about elections is not a new phenomenon. However, social media platforms have exacerbated this issue. Since acquiring X, Elon Musk has become a notable figure pushing conspiracy theories to a vast audience. Efforts by state officials like Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to counter Musk’s false claims have not entirely succeeded.
Musk’s posts have included claims of voter fraud in Michigan due to a formatting error. The propagation of these falsehoods complicates efforts by election officials attempting to disseminate accurate information. The reluctance of social media companies to combat misinformation has only heightened this challenge.
Observers note that the widespread distrust in online election information undermines the vital work of honest election officials. Ruth Greenwood from Harvard highlights this mistrust as a barrier to credible election communication, complicating efforts to disseminate important voting process information.
Early Voting and Misinterpretation
Early voting has become a focal point of contention, as Trump, who previously criticised it, now advocates for its use among supporters while still casting doubts on its integrity. With substantial early voting turnouts, interpretations of early data vary wildly, with each side seeking hopeful signs.
Experts caution against reading too much into early voting figures as they do not provide conclusive insights into final outcomes. Concerns have been voiced about Trump potentially preemptively declaring victory, recalling tactics from the 2020 election which could fuel further discord.
Election patterns suggest Democrats may favour mail-in ballots whereas Republicans might opt for in-person voting. Michael Morley, an election law expert, warns shifts in vote leads are expected due to the sequential counting of different ballot types, not fraudulent practices.
Non-Citizen Voting Accusations
Republicans have intensified rhetoric around noncitizen voting, with Trump alleging Democrats are enabling illegal immigrants to vote, despite scarce evidence of such occurrences.
Litigation seeks to purge noncitizens from voter rolls but has inadvertently affected legitimate voters. For instance, Virginia’s attempts have been scrutinized for encompassing eligible citizens mistakenly.
Experts affirm that noncitizen voting is extremely rare, with mechanisms in place to catch it rapidly. Various audits and incidents demonstrate how small and isolated these cases are, like Michigan’s recent charge against a noncitizen voter.
Preparation for Post-Election Disputes
Efforts to secure electoral processes against disputes have intensified since the 2020 election chaos. Authorities remain alert to potential violence and disruptions, with preparations in place to safeguard polling stations and personnel.
Updated legal frameworks aim to minimise the potential for challenge, with steps like the revision of the Electoral Count Act. Yet, Trump and his followers seem poised to contest adverse results, with ‘Stop the Steal’ rhetoric already resurfacing.
Poll watchers and legal avenues remain key tools for verifying claims of fraud if Trump alleges systemic issues again. Without solid evidence, any assertions are likely to be dismissed as unsubstantiated rhetoric, according to Ben Ginsberg, a legal expert.
As the 2024 election approaches, the groundwork laid by Trump and his allies to question the result remains evident. Without legitimate evidence, their narratives may falter.
