On January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol was engulfed in chaos as a mob stormed the building, leading to a tragic and historic event that left the nation and the world in shock. As the anniversary of that day approached, former President Donald Trump continued to cling to his baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen from him.
Reacting to President Joe Biden’s remarks that Trump’s falsehoods had fueled the riot, Trump issued a statement saying, “That’s what you get when you have a rigged Election.” Despite the assertions of widespread fraud, numerous investigations and court rulings have found no evidence to support these claims. Biden himself has emphasized that the 2020 election was the most scrutinized in American history.
Indeed, the aftermath of the election saw many states altering their voting procedures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to make voting more accessible and safer, especially in the face of public health concerns, various states either expanded mail-in voting or relaxed the requirements for absentee ballots.
For instance, Kentucky, a state traditionally leaning towards the Republican side, saw its Republican Secretary of State and Democratic Governor working in unison to authorize no-excuse mail-in voting and early voting. This was not part of a partisan scheme but a pragmatic response to unprecedented times.
Similarly, Republican Trey Grayson, a former Secretary of State for Kentucky, remarked, “Changing election laws or policies to successfully conduct an election in the middle of a pandemic when those changes are authorized by law is not cheating.” He added that unauthorized changes, not those made through legal and public processes, would constitute cheating.
The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) noted numerous examples of state adaptations. In January 2020, sixteen states required voters to provide a reason for absentee voting. By the general election in November, fourteen of these states had altered their rules to make absentee voting more accessible.
Among these changes, California, Vermont, and the District of Columbia temporarily joined Colorado, Hawaii, Oregon, Utah, and Washington in using primarily mail-in elections. Furthermore, drop boxes for mail ballots, which were previously scarce, became commonplace in forty states and Washington, D.C., ensuring that voters had more options to submit their ballots safely and conveniently.
Despite the clear benefits and legal grounding of these measures, Trump has continuously alleged that the Democrat Party used the pandemic to implement fraudulent voting. On multiple occasions throughout his 2024 campaign trail, Trump reiterated this claim, yet without substantial backing from evidence.
The AP Fact Checkers and multiple sources have consistently debunked these allegations. Comprehensive reviews of the voting process in several battleground states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, revealed minimal instances of fraud—certainly not enough to affect the election outcome.
Rachel Orey, an elections expert at the Bipartisan Policy Center, explained that the changes made were necessary and lawful responses to an unprecedented global health crisis. These measures helped both Democrats and Republicans by providing a safe and accessible means for all citizens to exercise their right to vote.
Additionally, historical data supports the legitimacy of increased voter turnout. Voter participation in the 2020 election was the highest in over a century, which, according to the Census Bureau, saw over 66% of eligible voters casting their ballots. This significant turnout can be attributed to the efforts made to ensure voting was accessible during the pandemic.
It is also important to recognize the broader context of these allegations. To gain a more comprehensive understanding, it’s essential to highlight how different perspectives add depth to this ongoing narrative. For example, while some see the changes as necessary adaptations, others might view them with skepticism due to the high-stress environment and politically charged atmosphere surrounding the election. However, esteemed experts across the political spectrum argue that these were required to maintain electoral integrity in unprecedented times.
In a democracy, ensuring that every eligible voter can participate is paramount. While debates about election integrity will persist, it is crucial to remember that the bedrock of the American electoral system relies on fairness and transparency.
As the nation reflects on the events of January 6, it must also consider the importance of maintaining trust in the democratic process. Ironically, the very measures some claim undermined the election were instituted to preserve the health and safety of voters amidst a pandemic. However, the controversy has undoubtedly cast a shadow over American politics, highlighting the need for continuous dialogue on electoral reforms.
Joe Biden stated on the anniversary of the Capitol riot, “You can’t love your country only when you win.” His words serve as a poignant reminder that democracy thrives on the acceptance of outcomes and the continuous effort to uphold institutions that honor the voice of every citizen.
