As Electoral College ballots were being tabulated last week in Washington, the president’s irresponsible commentary about a “stolen election” fueled a riotous attack on the Capitol. While there is no substance to the “stolen election” allegations, an important underlying issue of election integrity remains, and if it is left unaddressed, America risks new election controversies in the future that will further inflame the body politic. It does not have to be that way.
Public confidence in the integrity of elections is essential to the preservation of our democratic system. It is precisely for that reason that enemies of our system, both abroad and at home, seek to sow doubt about and discord in our election process. Those who despise the freedom that democracy provides want badly to undermine public confidence in the voting system precisely because it is the cornerstone of the foundation of that democracy. The more that people doubt election integrity, the less inclined they are to vote — thus opening the way for bad actors to gain more influence in elections. Doubts about election integrity also undermine confidence in and appreciation for the rule of law, another bedrock of democracy — witness the Capitol mob. Sadly, declining public confidence in the integrity of elections is now fueled by politicians who irresponsibly exploit that doubt by speculating without facts.
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