After four years, how have election denials changed the fabric of American democracy?
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UNITED STATES – JANUARY 17: A digital sign encouraging Facebook to keep in place the ban of former President Donald Trump from the site, is seen on the National Mall on Tuesday, January 17, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
By Jade Lopez, CRDN
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
The 2020 United States presidential election was historical to say the least, marking a significant shift in American politics. From election denialism to accusations of voter fraud, a large population of citizens and political leaders were convinced that a rigged race resulted in President Joe Biden’s win.
With many members of the Republican party questioning the accuracy of the election and protesting the results, our democracy as a country was put into chaos, causing a divide amongst the American people. Various court rulings and investigations came in the following months, which discredited the false allegations and rumors over how the electoral process was conducted four years ago, and gradually, what was once utter false propaganda has now translated into impacted trust in registered voters and stricter state-regulated voter processes.
What we see in the media and on social platforms, where misinformation and biases can spread like wildfire, can result in further divides between the two political parties, further pulling apart our American democracy. To restore faith in our system, large political figures must advocate for fairness and transparency throughout electoral processes. We must mend the gap that has come between Democrats and Republicans. A successful future involves joint action, diligence, unity, and wanting to restore our nation.
The claims of a stolen election four years ago have resulted in a series of questions and negative chain reactions, such as acts of extreme violence and political radicalism, like the January 6th Capitol riot. Voter distrust has soared, as many people feel their ballot has no importance in a rigged system. This has resulted in legislative changes, such as proposed laws aiming to strengthen voting regulations by restricting main-in voting and placing tighter rules on identification.
Six weeks ago, an attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump demonstrated the rise of political extremism. For some, Trump’s four-year presidency and his controversial opinions have turned him into a representation of their fight against perceived danger to their political beliefs. This can lead certain extremists to see violence against him as an act of a political revolution. Understanding these connections is crucial for addressing societal issues contributing to such extreme, unjust actions and fostering a more operational democratic environment.
Breaches of trust in the electoral process, implementing new government laws, political polarization, threats to political norms, extreme acts of violence, widespread social media stories, the inability to perform peaceful handoffs to elected political figures, and symbolic targets… all things we as Americans have witnessed within the past four years, and all things that we have yet to see significant changes in. Overall, the denial of the 2020 election raises substantial concerns about the integrity of democratic institutions and will likely have lasting effects on American politics for years to come.