President-elect Donald Trump’s claims of widespread voter fraud in the aftermath of the 2020 election have had a lasting impact on American elections. While this post-election period has been calmer, there have been instances of Republican candidates questioning the legitimacy of election results. In Wisconsin, Eric Hovde spread rumors about absentee ballots in Milwaukee, while in North Carolina, Phil Berger suggested vote-counting was rigged. In Arizona, Kari Lake has not acknowledged her Senate loss.
These disinformation campaigns have led to a decrease in Americans’ confidence in elections and threats to local election officials. Some worry about the return of destructive rhetoric from the GOP in future elections. Despite the toned-down rhetoric, election denialism persists, as seen with Democratic Senator Bob Casey’s refusal to concede defeat. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger criticized Casey for not accepting the results.
While Republicans have mostly toned down their rhetoric, some left-wing social media accounts have spread conspiracy theories, though not on the same scale as GOP election denialism. The impact of election disinformation on local officials has been devastating, with threats and attacks continuing even after Election Day. Local officials need more resources to combat disinformation and threats.
Overall, the aftermath of the 2020 election has left a significant impact on American elections, with calls for a reduction in destructive rhetoric and a focus on supporting election officials. Despite the challenges, efforts to maintain the integrity of elections and uphold democratic principles continue.
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