Fact Check: Biden Rigged the 2020 Election
What We Know
The claim that "Biden rigged the 2020 election" has been a persistent narrative among some political circles, particularly among supporters of former President Donald Trump. However, extensive investigations and analyses have consistently found no credible evidence to support this assertion. According to a report by the Brookings Institution, there has been no new evidence or litigation regarding election fraud in the 2020 election, despite ongoing beliefs that the election was flawed.
Research from the University of Chicago indicates that there is "no evidence for systematic voter fraud" in the 2020 election, with statistical analyses disproving many of the claims made by those alleging fraud (UChicago). The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, has tracked election fraud cases and found that the number of confirmed cases is minuscule compared to the total number of votes cast. For instance, in Texas, only 103 cases of fraud were confirmed over a span of 17 years, which is a fraction of the over 107 million ballots cast during that time (Brookings).
Furthermore, the BBC has fact-checked various claims made by Trump's team regarding voter fraud, concluding that many of these claims lack substantial evidence. The New York Times also reported that no evidence has been found to support allegations of election fraud, reinforcing the consensus that the 2020 election was conducted fairly (NYT).
Analysis
The claim that Biden rigged the election relies heavily on anecdotal evidence and conspiracy theories rather than substantiated facts. The Associated Press has pointed out that Trump's assertions of widespread voter fraud are contradicted by his own attorney general, who stated that there was no evidence of such fraud. Similarly, an exhaustive fact-check by PBS found little evidence of voter fraud, noting that the narrative of a "stolen election" persists despite a lack of credible support (PBS).
The sources used to support the claim of election rigging often come from partisan outlets or individuals with a vested interest in promoting these narratives. For example, the claims of fraud often stem from individuals or groups that have been discredited or whose analyses have been debunked by reputable studies. The University of Chicago's research specifically targeted and refuted claims made by known proponents of the fraud narrative, demonstrating a rigorous approach to debunking these allegations (UChicago).
In evaluating the reliability of sources, the Brookings Institution and the University of Chicago are both respected academic and research institutions known for their rigorous methodologies and commitment to factual reporting. In contrast, many of the claims supporting the idea of a rigged election come from less credible sources, often lacking empirical backing.
Conclusion
The claim that "Biden rigged the 2020 election" is False. Extensive investigations, statistical analyses, and fact-checking efforts have found no credible evidence to support allegations of widespread voter fraud or election rigging. The narrative persists largely due to misinformation and the amplification of unfounded claims rather than substantiated facts.
Sources
- Widespread election fraud claims by Republicans don't match the evidence
- New Research Shows “No Evidence of Systemic Voter Fraud in 2020 Election"
- US election 2020: Fact-checking Trump team's main fraud claims
- 2020 Election Lies Keep Unraveling as Courts Push for Accountability
- AP FACT CHECK: Trump's claims of vote rigging are all wrong
- Exhaustive fact check finds little evidence of voter fraud, but 2020's big lie lives on
- Fact Check: Biden rigged the 2020 election | TruthOrFake Blog
- No evidence for systematic voter fraud: A guide to statistical reasoning
