Election Deniers Threaten US Democracy
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The Election Deniers’ Shadow Over 2028
The threat posed by election deniers in swing states ahead of the 2028 presidential cycle extends far beyond mere electoral politics. It’s a symptom of a deeper malaise, one that speaks to the fraying of democratic norms and the increasingly partisan manipulation of institutions.
Wisconsin, Michigan, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Nevada are critical battlegrounds in 2028, where Republicans have chosen candidates who refuse to accept the legitimacy of past elections. Tom Tiffany, the Republican nominee for governor in Wisconsin, is a prime example. He’s not just a passive supporter of Donald Trump’s lies about the 2020 election; he’s an active promoter of them.
Tiffany’s views on election integrity are matched only by his willingness to use power to challenge democratic outcomes. His endorsement of an FBI investigation into Wisconsin’s elections is a chilling indication of what might happen if he were to win and take office. The risk isn’t zero, as some experts caution; in fact, it’s not even low.
State election laws, the judiciary, and federal protections like the Electoral Count Act reform are often touted as sufficient to prevent a stolen election. However, these measures can provide no guarantee against damage being done to the electoral system itself. A well-placed election denier could swing the outcome of an extremely close election or use their office to erode trust in democratic institutions.
Election experts emphasize that there’s more than one reason to be concerned about this trend. “We have to walk a fine line between complacency and alarmism,” says Rick Hasen. “Both are bad.” The risk is real, even if it’s small, and the consequences could be catastrophic.
The 2028 election may be more secure due to security measures in place – like adversarial election administration and court-empowered intervention. However, these safeguards might hold back the worst excesses of partisan malfeasance but can’t prevent the erosion of trust and confidence in democratic institutions.
Election deniers keep getting chosen as nominees for key offices because they’re seen as effective at mobilizing Republican voters or are more palatable to the party base than genuine moderates. Whatever the reason, the outcome is clear: a growing number of Americans are being convinced that their votes don’t count, and this is a recipe for disaster.
The 2028 presidential cycle is a critical moment in American history. If election deniers are given the keys to supervising elections, it could lead to irreparable damage to democratic institutions. We need to hold elected officials accountable for their actions, demand more from those who claim to represent us, and recognize the gravity of what’s at stake.
Ultimately, the answer lies not with election law or institutional checks and balances but with us – the voters, citizens, and communities that comprise our democracy. We must stand up against this threat and ensure that election deniers do not undermine democratic norms and institutions in 2028. The choice is ours – and it’s not just about electing a president.
Reader Views
- CSCorrespondent S. Tan · field correspondent
While election deniers pose a significant threat to US democracy, it's crucial to acknowledge that their impact is also deeply tied to voter suppression tactics and gerrymandering. By targeting swing states with extreme candidates, Republicans are not just undermining trust in the electoral process but also systematically manipulating voting outcomes through institutionalized inequality. Focusing solely on individual election deniers risks overlooking this larger, more insidious game of democratic subversion.
- CMColumnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
The election denier threat is not just about swinging the next presidential cycle, but also about corroding public trust in democratic institutions. While election law reforms and judiciary safeguards are crucial, they won't completely eliminate the risk of a stolen election. A more pressing concern is the erosion of faith in the electoral process itself. If voters lose confidence that their ballots will be counted fairly, the very foundations of democracy begin to crumble. We need a concerted effort to address this issue before it's too late and the damage becomes irreversible.
- ADAnalyst D. Park · policy analyst
The looming threat of election deniers in 2028 is more than just a partisan quibble - it's a symptom of a systemic disease that undermines trust in democratic institutions. What's often overlooked is the role of state-level power dynamics in perpetuating this trend. Republican nominees like Tom Tiffany may be vocal about their anti-democratic views, but they're also savvy politicians who know how to manipulate the electoral process to their advantage. To truly mitigate this threat, we need to rethink our approach to election reform and focus on empowering local officials to resist partisan pressure.