The truth behind one of the biggest political lies
Oct 24, 2024
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Jessica Huseman, Editorial Director of Votebeat and former lead elections reporter for ProPublica, dives into the impact of false claims surrounding the 2020 election. She highlights how these misconceptions have eroded trust in American democracy, from the January 6 Capitol attack to contentious voting rule changes. Huseman discusses election integrity, the complexities of ballot counting, and the legal pitfalls ahead of 2024. She also clarifies myths about non-citizen voting in Texas, reassuring listeners about the security of upcoming elections.
False claims of voter fraud have severely undermined trust in the electoral process, leading to significant political unrest and changes in voting rules.
Despite challenges with inexperienced election staff, the U.S. voting system remains secure, with safeguards ensuring accurate ballot counting and voter reassurance.
Deep dives
The Impact of False Claims on Election Integrity
Since the 2020 presidential election, false claims of widespread voter fraud have significantly impacted public perception of election integrity in the U.S. Despite over 50 lawsuits filed by former President Trump and his allies being dismissed due to lack of evidence, the narrative of a 'stolen election' persists. This rhetoric has fueled distrust in the voting process, contributing to events like the Capitol attack on January 6th and prompting changes to voting rules in several states. These claims create a climate of fear and paranoia, obscuring the fact that most Americans will vote without encountering significant issues.
Understanding the Voting System's Reliability
The U.S. voting system remains robust and secure, with more than 95% of voters casting their ballots on paper, even if they use machines to select their choices first. This ensures that physical ballots are counted and serve as a reliable proof of voter intent, especially during recounts. The integration of advanced voting machines has improved the process by preventing common voting errors, such as accidental over-voting, which can invalidate ballots. As voters become more aware of these safeguards, they can gain confidence that their votes will be accurately counted.
Challenges Facing Election Administration
Recent years have seen a dramatic turnover in election administration personnel, resulting in inexperienced staff entering critical roles due to the pressures and threats faced by longtime officials. The departure of knowledgeable bureaucrats has left many counties scrambling to train new employees, which can lead to avoidable human errors on Election Day. These errors may be exploited by those seeking to challenge the integrity of elections, despite the fact that legitimate systems are in place to address and correct mistakes swiftly. Moving forward, preparedness among election officials is essential to maintaining confidence in the electoral process, even as political rhetoric increases.
Since former President Trump lost the 2020 presidential race, he and his supporters have been spreading the false claim that the election was stolen and that the U.S. is rife with voter fraud. This has been disproven in court many times, but the rhetoric has had a real effect on the country — from the January 6 attack on the Capitol, to election-rule changes, to general distrust around the voting process. Votebeat’s Jessica Huseman is one of the leading reporters on voting in the U.S. She talks with Apple News In Conversation host Shumita Basu about the lies being spread about our voting system and explains why Americans can feel reassured that this election will be safe and fair.
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