As the United States gears up for the 2024 presidential election, a shadow looms over the democratic process – the specter of misinformation. False claims and conspiracy theories about voter fraud, rigged voting machines, and illegal voting by non-citizens have become increasingly mainstream, particularly among supporters of former President Donald Trump. These baseless allegations, which have been repeatedly debunked by election officials and experts, threaten to erode public trust in the integrity of US elections.
The Myth of Widespread Non-Citizen Voting
One of the most persistent myths surrounding US elections is the notion that non-citizens are voting en masse, potentially swaying the outcome of close races. Trump and his allies have repeatedly made this claim without evidence, asserting that Democrats are trying to “import voters” to gain an unfair advantage. However, the reality is far different.
It is illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections, and states have strict processes in place to verify citizenship during voter registration. Voting illegally could lead to deportation, a risk few would be willing to take. Investigations and studies have consistently found no evidence of significant non-citizen voting. As election law expert Richard Hasen notes, “The allegations of widespread non-citizen voting are a myth, unsupported by any credible evidence.”
Attacks on Voting Machines and Hand Counts
Another common target of election misinformation is the voting equipment used to tabulate ballots. Since the 2020 election, unfounded claims have circulated that voting machines, particularly those made by Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic, were manipulated to favor Democrats. These allegations have led to costly defamation lawsuits against media outlets that spread the lies, including a $787.5 million settlement by Fox News.
In response to these baseless attacks, some groups have pushed for a return to hand-counting ballots, arguing that it is more secure and transparent. However, experts warn that hand-counting is actually slower, costlier, and less accurate than machine tabulation. As Tammy Patrick, a senior advisor at the Democracy Fund, explains, “Hand-counting ballots is not a panacea for election integrity concerns. In fact, it can introduce more opportunities for human error and manipulation.”
The Certification Process Under Siege
Election deniers have also set their sights on the crucial process of certifying election results. After votes are counted at the local level, county or town officials are required to sign off on the results in a mandatory certification process. This is not a discretionary role – officials must acknowledge the count, not act as referees.
In the aftermath of the 2020 election, a small number of Republican officials refused to certify results, citing unsubstantiated fraud claims. Courts uniformly rejected these attempts and ordered the officials to fulfill their duty. As David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, warns, “Delaying or blocking certification based on lies about fraud is a serious threat to the integrity of our elections.”
– Election expert David Becker
The Truth About Overseas Voters
Misinformation has also targeted the millions of US citizens living abroad who are eligible to vote under federal law. Trump and right-wing media outlets have falsely claimed that Democrats are trying to cheat by encouraging these voters to cast ballots illegally. In reality, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) has long protected the voting rights of military members, their families, and civilians residing outside the US.
Allegations that overseas voting is a conduit for foreign interference or fraud are baseless. As Susan Dzieduszycka-Suinat, president of the U.S. Vote Foundation, emphasizes, “UOCAVA voters go through a rigorous registration and verification process to ensure the integrity of their ballots. Suggesting that their votes are illegitimate is an insult to the brave men and women serving our country abroad.”
Weaponizing Human Errors and Controversies
No election is perfect, and human errors do occur, but these isolated incidents are often blown out of proportion by those seeking to undermine confidence in the process. In 2020, the use of Sharpie markers in Arizona’s Maricopa County sparked baseless fraud claims, despite officials confirming that the pens did not affect ballot tabulation. Similar minor controversies, such as briefly unattended ballot boxes or slow vote counts, are weaponized to sow doubt.
According to Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, whose office dealt with a ballot transport security lapse in 2023, “All it takes is one sloppy, inattentive person to call into question the really good and conscientious work of thousands and thousands of people. So it’s frustrating to see, but we’re trying to make it a teachable moment in our office.”
Navigating the Misinformation Minefield
As the 2024 election approaches, voters must be vigilant in separating fact from fiction. False claims about delayed results, rigged recounts, and injected ballots are likely to resurface, especially in closely contested states like Arizona. It is crucial to rely on trusted sources, such as state and local election officials, nonpartisan experts, and reputable media outlets, rather than falling for sensationalized rumors spread on social media.
Ultimately, the antidote to election misinformation is an informed and engaged citizenry. By understanding the safeguards and processes that protect the integrity of US elections, voters can confidently participate in the democratic process and reject attempts to undermine it with lies and conspiracy theories. The future of American democracy depends on the ability of its citizens to discern the truth and defend the legitimacy of their elections.
