The Claim: "The 2020 Election Was Stolen"

Introduction

The assertion that the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election was "stolen" has been a central theme in political discourse since the election concluded. Proponents of this claim, including former President Donald Trump and many of his supporters, argue that widespread voter fraud and irregularities undermined the election's integrity. This article will explore the available evidence surrounding this claim, critically evaluating the sources and their reliability.

What We Know

1. Election Outcome: Joe Biden won the 2020 Presidential Election, receiving 306 electoral votes compared to Donald Trump's 232. Biden also secured over 81 million popular votes, the highest in U.S. history, while Trump received over 74 million 9.

2. Claims of Fraud: Following the election, Trump and his allies made numerous claims of voter fraud, including allegations that more votes were cast than there were registered voters in some battleground states 4. However, these claims have been widely debunked by various sources, including state election officials and independent fact-checkers 8.

3. Expert Assessments: A study from the Harvard Kennedy School found that experts overwhelmingly rejected claims of significant electoral fraud, indicating a consensus among scholars and election officials regarding the integrity of the election 3.

4. Legal Challenges: Trump and his supporters filed dozens of lawsuits contesting the election results, most of which were dismissed due to lack of evidence 9. The U.S. Department of Justice, under then-Attorney General William Barr, stated that it found no evidence of widespread fraud that would have changed the election's outcome 8.

5. Public Perception: Research indicates that beliefs in election fraud were influenced by political polarization and motivated reasoning, with many individuals forming opinions based on their political affiliations rather than objective evidence 12.

Analysis

The claim that the 2020 election was stolen is supported primarily by anecdotal evidence and assertions from political figures rather than substantiated facts.

Source Evaluation

• Peer-Reviewed Studies: Sources like the Harvard Kennedy School studies 37 provide rigorous analysis and are generally reliable due to their academic nature. However, they may have an inherent bias against claims of fraud, as they are conducted in an academic environment that values empirical evidence.

• Fact-Checking Organizations: The BBC 4 and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) 6 are reputable sources that have systematically debunked many of the fraud claims. Their findings are based on extensive investigations and data analysis, lending credibility to their conclusions.

• Legal and Government Reports: Reports from the U.S. Department of Justice and various state election officials 89 are significant because they come from authoritative bodies that have the resources to investigate claims thoroughly. Their findings consistently indicate no evidence of widespread fraud.

• Wikipedia: While Wikipedia 910 can be a useful starting point for information, it is essential to approach it with caution. The platform is user-edited and may contain biases or inaccuracies, although it often cites reliable sources.

Conflicts of Interest

Some sources may have conflicts of interest. For example, political figures promoting the "stolen election" narrative may do so to galvanize their base or achieve political objectives. Additionally, media outlets may have their editorial slants that could influence their reporting on the issue.

Methodological Concerns

Many claims of fraud lack rigorous methodology. Anecdotal evidence and unverified reports often circulate without substantial backing. For example, claims about irregularities in voter registration or counting processes have not been supported by credible evidence.

What Additional Information Would Be Helpful

To further investigate the claim that the 2020 election was stolen, it would be beneficial to have:

• Comprehensive audits of election results from independent, non-partisan organizations.
• Detailed analyses of voter registration and turnout data across battleground states.
• Surveys assessing public perceptions of election integrity before and after the election.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election was stolen is unsupported by credible evidence. Key findings indicate that Joe Biden won the election decisively, with extensive investigations and assessments from reputable sources, including the U.S. Department of Justice and independent fact-checkers, consistently finding no evidence of widespread voter fraud that could have altered the election outcome.

It is important to recognize that beliefs in election fraud are often influenced by political polarization and motivated reasoning, leading individuals to form opinions based on their affiliations rather than objective facts. While the sources evaluated in this article are generally reliable, it is crucial to acknowledge that biases may exist, particularly in politically charged contexts.

The limitations of the available evidence should also be noted; while extensive investigations have been conducted, the political landscape surrounding the election remains contentious, and new claims may continue to emerge. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and seek out reliable sources when forming their own conclusions about such significant issues.

Sources

1. Motivated reasoning: Election integrity beliefs, outcome acceptance, and polarization before, during, and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election - PMC. Link
2. Suspicious Minds: Unexpected Election Outcomes, Perceived Electoral Integrity and Satisfaction With Democracy in American Presidential Elections - PMC. Link
3. Electoral Integrity in the 2020 U.S. Elections | Harvard Kennedy School. Link
4. US election 2020: Fact-checking Trump team's main fraud claims - BBC. Link
5. Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections – The White House. Link
6. Election Security | Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Link
7. Research note: Examining false beliefs about voter fraud in the wake of the 2020 Presidential Election | HKS Misinformation Review. Link
8. Trump’s challenges to election results: What they are and what could happen - Washington Post. Link
9. Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election - Wikipedia. Link
10. 2020 United States presidential election - Wikipedia. Link