The Election Deniers' Long Game
· curiosity
The Election Deniers’ Shadow Government
The consequences of Donald Trump’s attempts to overturn his 2020 election loss are now clear. The Republican Party has become increasingly entrenched in the notion that American elections are rigged against them, a fixation fueled by “the Big Lie.”
This ideology has spread rapidly through local and state government, with a cohort of election deniers infiltrating positions of power across the country. Georgia, where Trump’s attempts to subvert the electoral process were most brazen, is at the forefront of this crisis.
Since 2020, the state’s election infrastructure has undergone significant changes, driven by officials who resisted Trump’s election-fraud lies. Brad Raffensperger, the former Secretary of State who testified about Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election, is now a lame duck, his power over the state’s electoral apparatus waning.
Salleigh Grubbs, a newcomer to government with an insatiable appetite for conspiracy theories, has taken Raffensperger’s place on the state election board. Her appointment has been seen as a coup by many, particularly given her stated conviction that Democrats were plotting to steal the 2020 election from Trump.
Grubbs’ views are not unique; a growing number of Republicans in Georgia and across the country are driving policy on voting procedures with little regard for electoral oversight. States like Arizona and Michigan have witnessed similar shifts towards election denialism.
Ben Johnson, chair of Spalding County’s election board, has been accused of spreading QAnon conspiracy theories and calling Biden a pedophile. His appointment raises fundamental questions about the integrity of Georgia’s electoral system and the extent to which Trump’s Big Lie has infiltrated local government.
The implications of these developments are far-reaching and alarming. A coalition of partners at the local, state, and federal levels is poised to pull off an election heist on a scale unimaginable just six years ago. The midterms could serve as a trial run for this coalition ahead of the 2028 presidential race, when much of Trump’s legacy will be at stake.
As voters move towards these pivotal elections, it is essential that they remain vigilant about the growing threat of election subversion in American politics. By understanding the roots and consequences of this phenomenon, we can better grasp what is at stake and demand action from our elected officials to protect the integrity of our electoral process.
A Shadow Government of Election Deniers
The infiltration of election deniers into positions of power across the United States has created a shadow government that threatens the very foundations of American democracy. Their actions are driven by an insatiable appetite for conspiracy theories and a deep-seated distrust of the electoral process, fueled by Trump’s Big Lie.
This is not just about Trump or even the Republican Party but rather about the broader implications for American democracy. The election deniers’ long game has been quietly unfolding over several years, with their success in infiltrating local and state government serving as a stark reminder of the dangers of complacency.
The Road to 2028
The November elections represent a critical juncture on this journey towards the 2028 presidential race. Will voters rise up to defend their right to free and fair elections? Or will we witness the first successful election heist in American history?
As we navigate these uncertain times, it is essential that we remain focused on the key issues at stake. The integrity of our electoral process is not a partisan issue but rather a fundamental aspect of American democracy itself.
What’s Next
The coming months will be pivotal in shaping the course of this story. Will voters in Georgia and other states demand greater transparency from their elected officials? Will state legislatures take bold action to protect the integrity of elections?
One thing is certain: the stakes have never been higher, and the future of American democracy hangs precariously in the balance.
Reader Views
- HVHenry V. · history buff
It's clear what's at stake here: the very fabric of American democracy is being undermined by the insidious creep of election denialism into our institutions. But have we stopped to consider the long-term implications of this phenomenon? Will these conspiracy-fueled officials ultimately succeed in dismantling our electoral systems, or will they merely be relegated to the dustbin of history as relics of a bygone era?
- TAThe Archive Desk · editorial
While the article aptly highlights the alarming spread of election denialism across state and local governments, it overlooks a crucial aspect: the role of voter suppression in perpetuating this ideology. By eroding trust in elections, officials like Salleigh Grubbs create an environment where restrictions on voting become increasingly palatable to their constituents. The consequences are far-reaching, potentially disenfranchising vulnerable communities and entrenching systemic inequality. This dynamic deserves more attention as the country grapples with the long-term implications of Trump's Big Lie.
- ILIris L. · curator
The appointment of Salleigh Grubbs to Georgia's election board is a clear case study in how ideology can supplant expertise and undermine democratic institutions. While the article correctly identifies her ties to conspiracy theories, it doesn't fully explore the structural issues that enable such appointees: weak voting laws, underfunded election offices, and lax party oversight. Without addressing these underlying problems, we risk creating a perpetual crisis of election integrity – one that will only intensify as state legislatures continue to empower local officials with little electoral experience or training.