Eva Xiao, a data journalist at the Financial Times, and Joe Miller, the U.S. legal correspondent, dive into the ongoing specter of election denialism as the 2024 presidential race looms. They unpack how Trump and his allies are casting doubt on future votes, while exploring the surge in litigation from right-wing groups aimed at electoral integrity. The discussion also highlights the challenges of misinformation in a decentralized election system and examines positive changes in voting practices catalyzed by COVID-19.
Trump and his allies are actively employing legal strategies to cast doubt on election integrity, impacting public perception despite lack of evidence.
Election officials are reinforcing voter security and transparency through local engagement and updated electoral procedures to combat ongoing distrust.
Deep dives
The Roots of Election Doubt
Donald Trump's challenge to the 2020 election results began prior to the election, planting seeds of doubt about the electoral process. After the election, Trump's team filed over 60 lawsuits in various states, alleging numerous forms of voter fraud, although most were ultimately dismissed due to a lack of evidence. This created significant chaos and uncertainty around the election. The emphasis on unverified allegations by Trump and his allies highlights the effectiveness of sowing distrust, which continues to be employed as tactics leading up to the upcoming election.
The Proactive Use of Legal Challenges
In the current electoral cycle, right-wing organizations, including the Republican National Committee, have become increasingly proactive in using legal mechanisms to cast doubt on election integrity. Unlike in previous elections where pro-voting groups predominantly filed lawsuits, many right-wing suits create discourse around potential voter fraud, even if the majority do not succeed in court. This strategy serves to raise fear and confusion regarding the legitimacy of the election process among voters. Consequently, the landscape has shifted to one where the act of filing lawsuits alone may effectively influence public perception, independent of their legal merit.
Strengthening Electoral Protocols
In response to the challenges faced in 2020, various election administrators across the U.S. are implementing measures to enhance voter security and transparency. Initiatives have included increasing local engagement through town halls and improving security protocols, such as installing bulletproof glass at polling places. Additionally, the passage of the Electoral Count Reform Act clarified electoral procedures to eliminate ambiguities, ensuring that the process remains safeguarded against potential manipulation. While these enhancements are aimed at preventing chaos similar to what occurred during the last election, concerns persist about public perception and belief in electoral integrity.
The 2020 US election was one of the most contested in American history, and it culminated in an unprecedented attack on the US Capitol building by supporters of Donald Trump. FT data journalist Eva Xiao and US legal correspondent Joe Miller join this week’s Swamp Notes podcast to explain how Trump and his allies are preparing to challenge the 2024 vote, and what election officials around the country are doing to prepare.
Swamp Notes is produced by Ethan Plotkin, Sonja Hutson, Lauren Fedor and Marc Filippino. Topher Forhecz is the FT’s executive producer. The FT’s global head of audio is Cheryl Brumley. Special thanks to Pierre Nicholson.