Election Lies Are Fueling Voter Suppression. Plus, Newsrooms Brace for Election Night
Sep 27, 2024
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Sam Gringlas is a politics reporter at WABE, focusing on election controversies in Georgia, while Ari Berman is a voting rights expert. They discuss Georgia's contentious new rule mandating hand-counted ballots and the legal challenges it faces. Voter suppression fueled by the 2020 election lies is unpacked, revealing its impact on future elections. Berman shares insights on nationwide efforts by Republican lawmakers to alter voting laws, raising alarms about the potential for electoral ties and public trust in the system.
New election rules in Georgia, driven by election fraud allegations, raise concerns about ballot security and misinformation risks.
The integration of music and celebrity endorsements in political campaigns is altering voter engagement dynamics, often overshadowing substantive policy discussions.
Deep dives
New Voting Regulations in Georgia
Recent changes in Georgia require poll workers to count ballots by hand during the upcoming elections, a move driven by ongoing allegations of election fraud. These hand counts, while aimed at enhancing transparency, raise concerns among election officials about potential discrepancies between machine and hand counts, which could fuel misinformation. The implementation of these rules could strain resources and compromise the security of ballots, especially given the tight timeline for training poll workers. Moreover, the vagueness surrounding the term 'reasonable inquiry' used in new regulations introduces uncertainty that could lead to certification delays, sparking further controversy.
The Rise of Election Conspiracy Theories
The episode highlights the continued influence of election fraud conspiracy theories, particularly in Georgia, where a significant portion of the Republican base believes in the existence of voter fraud. Activist groups, such as the Election Integrity Network led by Cleta Mitchell, have mobilized to advocate for laws that purportedly increase election security while propagating false claims of widespread fraud. This narrative has empowered conservative activists to push for changes in election procedures that may undermine confidence in the electoral process. The result is a politically charged environment where distrust in elections is being legitimized through new policies and regulations.
Voting Access Changes Across the United States
In the wake of the 2020 elections, a wave of restrictive voting laws has been enacted across over half of the states in the U.S., reflecting a national trend towards tightening voting access. Notable changes include Arizona's requirement for proof of citizenship to register and North Carolina's restrictions on early voting and mail-in ballots. These legislative shifts often target nonexistent issues, such as non-citizen voting, and have resulted in significant disenfranchisement, especially among younger and less affluent voters. This trend illustrates an ongoing effort to reshape the electoral landscape in ways that could diminish participation and equity in the voting process.
The Role of Music and Celebrity in Elections
The intertwining of music, celebrity, and politics has been intensified in recent election cycles, illustrating how endorsements from popular artists can energize campaigns and engage younger voters. Campaign playlists, such as those used by Kamala Harris, reflect not only a musical strategy but also a means of connection with the electorate, as fans remix songs to align with political messages. However, this focus on celebrity often overshadows substantive policy discussions, raising concerns about the depth of voter engagement. The phenomenon underscores a shift in how political campaigns are framed, prioritizing entertainment values over traditional political discourse.
In Georgia, a controversial new rule to hand-count ballots is being challenged in court. On this week’s On the Media, how the big lie of 2020 is shaping elections in 2024. Plus, how newsrooms are preparing for a whirlwind of disinformation on election night — and beyond.
[01:00] Host Micah Loewinger speaks with Sam Gringlas, politics reporter at WABE, about the controversy surrounding new election rules in Georgia and the officials backing them.
[14:37] Host Micah Loewinger interviews Ari Berman, voting rights correspondent at Mother Jones, about the wave of efforts by Republican lawmakers across the country to change voting and election laws, and what happens if we have a tie in the Electoral College.
[25:59] Host Brooke Gladstone sits down with Benjamin Mullin, media reporter for The New York Times, to hear how newsrooms are bracing for election night 2024.
[37:30] Host Brooke Gladstone speaks with Mark Clague, professor of musicology at the University of Michigan, about the role of music in this year's presidential campaigns, the history of political anthems, and the consequences of pop star celebrity culture seeping further into our political sphere.
On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.
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