Voters take a selfie after casting ballots at Edsel Ford High School on Nov. 5 in Dearborn, Mich.
As voter confidence in U.S. elections reaches new heights, recent data highlights a stark contrast to the apprehensions of 2020, particularly among Republican voters. According to a Pew Research Center survey, nearly 90% of Americans believe the latest general election was conducted well, marking a significant increase in trust compared to the last presidential election.
This newfound confidence represents a shift of over 30 percentage points from similar sentiments expressed in 2020, driven largely by Republican voters. The change is attributed to the favorable outcome for their preferred presidential candidate, reflecting heightened assurance in election security.
Back in 2020, a mere 20% of Trump voters felt that the election was conducted properly amidst widespread claims of voting irregularities. This year, a remarkable 93% of Trump supporters expressed approval of the electoral process, a dramatic shift in sentiment. This change is partly attributed to the absence of prominent figures amplifying election fraud claims, as noted by Carly Koppes, a Republican county clerk in Weld County, Colorado.
“It goes back to who had the microphone in 2020 and 2021,” Koppes said. “When we have the candidate and the top people that are respected within the two parties not engaging and not amplifying [election lies], that’s where we see the difference.”
This time around, despite initial claims of election fraud, such statements ceased once results were confirmed. This indicates a departure from the previous election cycle where allegations persisted.
Election officials, like Koppes, emphasize that the 2020 and 2024 elections were similar in their administrative execution. The 2020 election saw a rise in mail-in voting due to pandemic-related changes, but both elections maintained their integrity with no widespread issues reported.
This year, officials took a proactive approach in communicating security measures, a move Koppes describes as transitioning from a “defensive” to an “offensive” stance regarding election security.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes highlighted this shift in perception, stating, “Given the fact that Arizona has essentially the same elections folks, running under the same elections rules, with the same elections systems, and we seem to have done a pretty doggone good job this time around … I think the age of election denialism is, for all intents and purposes, dead.”
Despite the overall confidence, Pew’s research reveals a lingering skepticism among Trump voters about the prevention of ineligible voting. Nevertheless, their confidence in the process surpasses that of Vice President Harris’ supporters, illustrating the typical “winner’s effect” where supporters of the victorious candidate display higher trust in the system.
Paul Gronke, an election administration expert at Reed College, noted, “The GOP numbers are almost irrational exuberance. The longer record of confidence has shown some winners / losers effect, but nothing like was evident in 2020. … We simply never witnessed until 2020 a candidate and political organization so widely spreading mistrust.”
While the certification period has been quieter, Koppes warns that electoral conspiracy theories persist, particularly from fringe elements on both ends of the political spectrum. She describes election deniers as “the new snake oil salesmen,” capitalizing on any mistakes to perpetuate mistrust.
“It’s just until the next election,” Koppes concluded. “These are the new snake oil salesmen. They’re going to take any opportunity, for any tiny mistake or big mistake that happens, and continue pounding this drum for as long as they continue to be able to line their pockets.”
