Trump's 'Rigged' Ruse

Voters should feel confident in American democracy when casting their ballots.

U.S. News & World Report

Trump's 'Rigged' Ruse

Voters have the power.(John Bazemore/AP Photo)

A strong 21st century democracy is one where everyone can participate and do so free of intimidation. But it appears that some have a different vision for American democracy, based in fear and exclusion. Recent comments by Republican nominee Donald Trump and his supporters about voter fraud, trying to cast doubt on the results before the votes have even been counted, is not only irresponsible, it is also a lie.

Trump took his dangerous rhetoric a step further in Wednesday night's debate, refusing to commit to accepting the election results. Combining this with his irresponsible comments about a "rigged election" and voter fraud, Trump is hurting our democratic process at the most basic level.

Any candidate who questions the integrity of elections without producing one shred of evidence doesn't understand how democracy works. Trafficking in rumors and innuendo is an affront to the professionalism of election officials in both parties, raises doubts for candidates seeking office down ballot and most importantly confuses voters. If a person can't tell the difference between actual evidence of wrongdoing that should be turned over to authorities, and a forwarded email peddling conspiracy theories, perhaps it's best to say nothing and allow the professional election administrators who've devoted their careers to making sure our elections are fair to do their jobs.

These types of conspiracy theories weaken our democracy by making people think their votes don't count. But the same people who question the integrity of elections also refuse to support common sense solutions that modernize our elections and strengthen the security of our voting system, such as automatic voter registration.

Donald Trump's escalating rhetoric about voter fraud or tampering at polling places, without any evidence whatsoever, is a danger to our democracy. His calls to supporters to "watch voters in certain places because I've heard things" is intended to intimidate voters and is incendiary and irresponsible. Properly trained poll workers, working through local election boards, or volunteers for large-scale election protection efforts, are two ways citizens can help ensure fair elections by taking the time to get trained and understand how the process works. Thousands of trained volunteers help first-time voters, assist voters with disabilities, trouble shoot problems and work so every eligible voter gets to cast a ballot, regardless of party. That's a far cry from the rhetoric dominating the media now.

Elected officials from both political parties are right to condemn this reprehensible behavior, and more must stand up against it now. Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, a Republican, has called Donald Trump's rhetoric "irresponsible." Even U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan rebuked Trump's claims, saying he is "fully confident" in our election system.

Simply denouncing conspiracy theories is not enough though. Elected officials and political leaders must take steps to ensure all polling places are free of intimidation and voters may exercise their right to cast their ballots unmolested.

Election administrators must also take basic steps to ensure voters have alternatives to efficiently cast ballots. Anyone who knows how elections are administered will recognize the nine nonpartisan, common sense solutions Common Cause has recommended to help ensuring a smooth-running election. In the event of technical difficulties, polling places must have paper copies of ballots, poll books and voter registration; sufficient numbers of provisional ballots must be kept on hand at each polling place; to avoid unnecessary risks, vote counting systems must never be connected to the Internet, online voting must be curtailed and any ballots received through the Internet must be quarantined; and finally robust post-election audits and reconciliation procedures must be conducted.

We invite Mr. Trump, Secretary Clinton, Gov. Johnson, Jill Stein and all candidates for U.S. House and Senate to forcefully reject these irresponsible conspiracy theories or attempts to suppress the vote, endorse the nine nonpartisan back-up steps states can take now to ensure every vote counts, and accept the outcome once a winner is clear.

If, instead, Trump continues promoting conspiracy theories and urging supporters to be untrained vigilantes who don't understand the rules that govern polling places, the logical conclusion is that his campaign is more interested in suppressing the vote and causing problems on Election Day than taking simple steps to put in place back-up measures to prevent them.

Voters must understand that they have the power the power in this election and they need to use it. If you encounter any issue at a polling place, during early voting or on Election Day, or if you are told you cannot vote, please call the national nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE or 888-VE-Y-VOTA.

The experts, election officials of both parties, are confident in their ability to safeguard the election. It is politicians who must now speak up and restore the confidence of the electorate. Donald Trump wants Americans to believe we are an oligarchy or a banana republic whose elections are a sham. We are not, and our 240 years as a republic are a testament to that fact.