Nobody Trusts Elections -- That’s the Crisis in America

American Thinker ^ | 02/16/26 | Brian C. Joondeph

[SeekAndFind]

One of the most corrosive realities in contemporary American electoral politics isn't polarization, misinformation, or even foreign interference. It is something more basic: a majority of Americans no longer trust the integrity of their elections.

This is not a fringe belief limited to one party or ideology. According to polling from Rasmussen Reports, ahead of the 2024 presidential election, 62 percent of likely voters were “concerned that cheating will affect the outcome of the 2024 election.”

This skepticism crosses party lines and has persisted over the years. The pattern is clear: whichever party loses a presidential election claims the winning party cheated.

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Image by ChatGPT

Democrats insisted George W. Bush stole the 2000 election. Many believed he did so again in 2004.

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The idea that Donald Trump colluded with Russia to “steal” the 2016 election became a conviction on the political left, supported for years by media, weaponized intelligence community lies, and congressional investigations.

Republicans, especially President Donald Trump, believe the 2020 election was compromised through mail-in ballots, procedural changes enacted without legislatures, ballot harvesting, delayed counting, and statistical anomalies that were never convincingly explained. And now, after 2024, many Democrats again claim that Trump cheated to regain the presidency.

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This recurring cycle reveals an important point: the issue is no longer who wins, but whether Americans trust the legitimacy of the system itself. It’s not about any specific election, but about the electoral process as a whole.

Whether Donald Trump “probably” won in 2020 is a separate debate, one with strong feelings on both sides. But that debate isn't the main point here. The real issue is that half the country sees every election loss as illegitimate, and nothing has been done to rebuild trust

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TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: bloggers; elections; mistrust; spammingfr; voterfraud

[SeekAndFind]

Democracy cannot survive on blind faith alone. Trust must be earned through transparency, consistent rules, and procedures that make fraud difficult and detection easy.

[Nateman]

It is like that scene from ‘The Sting’ : ‘What was I supposed to do? Say he cheated better than me?’

[clearcarbon]

"And now, after 2024, many Democrats again claim that Trump cheated to regain the presidency."

You would think demRATs would have demanded for an audit unless maybe they knew it would show Trump won by a greater margin and more fraudulent democrat votes.

[Carry_Okie]

Democrats insisted George W. Bush stole the 2000 election.

Only because they weren't allowed to steal it.

[TheDon]

“Some countries go even further by requiring voting by law, as Australia does. While that might be a stretch for the United States, the core idea is solid: participation and legitimacy go hand in hand.”

Forcing everyone to vote means 100% participation which means a 100% legitimate election. If only...

Participation does imply legitimacy, but only if participation is voluntary. Not that the election is legitimate but the voter believes it to be so.

[Paladin2]

I vote to be just left alone.

[Terry L Smith]

Ever since The Days of Chad have I suspected Democrat shenanigans, new with each election year.

[Iron Munro]

[rellic]

If you honestly believe you can rely on a modern Democrat to be ethical, you are an idiot.