Conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 election, which allege fraud in the results, gained traction primarily among members of the Republican party. Many supporters of Donald Trump perceived him as a transformative figure for America, and the election results that led to his defeat were viewed by some as illegitimate. This sentiment was fueled by the disappointment of those who anticipated Trump’s promised “storm,” as mentioned by QAnon.

In response to these conspiracy claims, believers took active roles as poll-watchers, precinct committee members, and poll dropbox surveyors. Simultaneously, election deniers subjected pollworkers and local officials responsible for certifying results to harassment. This wave of skepticism manifested in numerous requests for ballot recounts and complaints about pollworkers, contributing to delays in the vote counting process.

While seeking to prove election rigging, individuals subscribing to these conspiracy theories interfered with the electoral process. Their increased involvement resulted in disruptions and attempts to prevent certain voters from casting their ballots. This behavior not only hindered the functioning of the election process but also failed to substantiate the baseless claims of fraud. It is essential to emphasize the importance of relying on credible sources and critically evaluating evidence when discussing election integrity to maintain public trust in democratic institutions. Read more…