Fact Check: "How to ask bought and stole the election"
What We Know
The claim that the election was "bought and stole" suggests widespread electoral fraud or manipulation. However, credible evidence supporting this assertion is lacking. According to the U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI, allegations of election crimes, including voter fraud and suppression, should be reported to appropriate authorities for investigation. The Department of Justice outlines that federal election crimes can include campaign finance violations and voter fraud, but emphasizes that such claims need to be substantiated with credible evidence.
Furthermore, the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) states that they have the authority to investigate fraud, waste, and abuse in their programs but do not have jurisdiction over state or local election irregularities. This indicates that while there are mechanisms to report and investigate claims of election fraud, the existence of such fraud has not been conclusively proven in recent elections.
Analysis
The assertion that elections have been "bought and stole" often stems from anecdotal evidence or politically motivated narratives rather than empirical data. For instance, a Brookings Institution article outlines various methods that could theoretically be used to manipulate elections, such as voter intimidation and ballot stuffing. However, these methods are complex and require significant coordination, making them difficult to execute without detection.
Moreover, the AP News reported on claims regarding a significant vote gap between elections, categorically stating that such claims of fraud are unfounded. This highlights the importance of scrutinizing the sources of such claims and the need for credible evidence before accepting them as fact.
The reliability of sources discussing election integrity varies. Government sources like the DOJ and EAC are generally considered credible due to their official status and commitment to upholding election laws. In contrast, articles from think tanks or partisan outlets may carry inherent biases that could skew their interpretations of election integrity.
Conclusion
The claim that elections have been "bought and stole" remains Unverified. While there are established channels for reporting and investigating election-related crimes, the lack of credible evidence supporting widespread fraud undermines the validity of this assertion. The existing frameworks for election oversight and reporting suggest that while concerns about electoral integrity are valid, they must be grounded in substantiated claims rather than speculation or anecdotal evidence.
Sources
- Voter fraud, voter suppression, and other election crimes
- Election Crimes and Security
- Reporting Fraud, Waste, Abuse, and Mismanagement
- Voter Complaint - California Secretary of State - CA.gov
- File an Election Complaint | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- Fact-Checking Pennsylvania-Related Election Claims
- How to rig an election in three not-so-easy steps
- FACT FOCUS: A multimillion vote gap between 2020 and 2024
