Article Summary –
The majority of Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania continue to spread disinformation about the 2020 presidential election, claiming that former President Donald Trump won, according to a report from nonpartisan group States United Action. This ongoing disinformation has led to a rise in election denialism, which has increased the partisan divide, threatened democracy, and potentially increased politically motivated violence. Threats and distrust in the electoral system have resulted in a high turnover of election directors in Pennsylvania, with around 70 directors or assistant directors leaving their positions in at least 40 of the state’s 67 counties, a higher rate than in years prior to 2020.
Nearly four years post 2020 election, Trump’s misinformation persists in Pennsylvania Legislature
Almost four years after former President Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss, the disinformation spread by him and a network of Republican leaders prevails in the Pennsylvania state Legislature.
According to a recent report from States United Action, a majority of GOP lawmakers in Pennsylvania, who deny the 2020 election results, keep promoting the falsehood that Trump won.
Moving towards the 2024 presidential election, political experts raise concern about the nationwide trend of right-wing lawmakers spreading disinformation and the potential societal and democratic harm.
Effects of election denialism: Division and distrust
Pennsylvania House Speaker Joanna McClinton commented on the threat election denialism poses to democracy, referencing the 60-plus Republican lawmakers who signed a letter urging Congress to dispute Pennsylvania’s 2020 electoral votes.
Election denialism’s harm ranges from potentially inciting deadly insurrections and violence to sowing division and discouraging voters, thereby weakening democracy, McClinton noted.
A result of continued distrust in the electoral process sown by election deniers has been the departure of election officials due to threats of violence against them.
Approximately 70 election directors or assistants in Pennsylvania have left their positions since January 2020. Secretary of State Al Schmidt reported this figure to Congress in November 2023 referring to an alarming increase in turnover rate compared to pre-2020 years.
Approaching presidential election
As the upcoming presidential election draws near, disinformation experts, like Beth Schwanke, anticipate a persistence of false claims reminiscent of 2020, further eroding trust in democracy and enhancing polarization.
Schwanke advocated for a focus on conducting safe and secure elections—a principle being emphasised by Pennsylvania’s secretary of state and local election officials—and for elected officials to share accurate election information.
—
Read More Pennsylvania News
