All articles tagged with #election denial
Colorado election official Tina Peters, jailed for a 2021 Mesa County data-breach tied to elections and convicted in 2024 on multiple felonies, is appealing her conviction as Gov. Jared Polis signals possible clemency, citing age and a harsh sentence; a Colorado Court of Appeals hearing is scheduled Wednesday as Peters remains imprisoned during the appeals process.
The Republican National Convention in Milwaukee is facing complications due to the presence of several participants linked to the Jan. 6 Capitol riot and election denial efforts. Despite attempts to focus on issues like the economy, crime, and immigration, the involvement of these individuals and the shadow of Trump's efforts to overturn the 2020 election are proving difficult to avoid. The convention's organizers and Trump's advisers are trying to steer clear of Jan. 6-related topics, but the issue remains a contentious point, drawing criticism from Democrats and complicating the party's messaging.
Jeffrey Clark, a lawyer whom Trump wanted to lead the Justice Department, repeatedly invoked his Fifth Amendment right during a disbarment hearing related to his involvement in attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Clark faces criminal charges in Georgia and is also an unindicted co-conspirator in a federal election interference case against Trump. Former acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen testified that Clark was seeking to investigate election conspiracy theories "nowhere in his lane," and that his lack of experience was highlighted during a standoff in the Oval Office.
Kari Lake, a former television anchor and Trump supporter, is struggling to distance herself from controversial positions, including unfounded claims of election fraud and attacks on fellow Republicans, that have alienated potential allies and turned off independents. Despite attempting to appeal to the Republican establishment and moderate her message on abortion, Lake's efforts to win a Senate seat in Arizona are proving to be a difficult task, as she continues to make divisive statements and legal challenges to her 2022 election loss.
Lara Trump, daughter-in-law of former President Donald Trump, aims to hire Scott Presler, a QAnon conspiracy theorist and election denier, to work in the Republican National Committee's "legal ballot harvesting division." This move follows the RNC's recent hiring of individuals associated with promoting false claims about the 2020 election. Presler, known for promoting conspiracy theories and being present at the Jan. 6 insurrection, has a history of pushing the QAnon conspiracy theory and has been previously considered for a role within the RNC.
Intense internal battles are tearing through the state Republican parties in Michigan, Arizona, and Georgia, largely revolving around divisions that opened up in the wake of the last presidential election. Trump-loyalist party leaders, propelled into power based on their defense of the Big Lie, are at war with more establishment-aligned Republicans and each other. These rifts are defining the upcoming election and the Republican state party organizations, potentially impacting fundraising, organizing, and candidate selection. The rise of election denial is cementing its role as a driving force in these state parties, with potential implications for the 2024 election and beyond.
Bob Bartelsmeyer, a former election official in Cochise County, Arizona, resigned after facing backlash from election deniers despite his support for Trump's claims of election fraud. His tenure overlapped with a series of events including harassment of election officials, refusal to certify the 2022 midterm election, and near disenfranchisement of voters. His experience reflects the growing hostility faced by election officials, with hundreds leaving their jobs due to harassment and threats. Despite his own skepticism about the 2020 election, Bartelsmeyer emphasizes the need for confidence in the democratic way of elections and expresses concerns about the growing distrust of electronic voting machines.
In a fiery interview on ABC's "This Week," host George Stephanopoulos repeatedly pressed House Majority Leader Steve Scalise on whether he believed the 2020 election was stolen. Scalise, who has refused to acknowledge the legitimacy of the election, evaded giving a direct answer and instead focused on states not following their laws. The interview comes as Rep. Ken Buck criticized Republicans for perpetuating the election lie. The White House spokesperson condemned Scalise's appearance, stating that election denial is a dangerous conspiracy theory. Stephanopoulos continued to press Scalise, who dodged the question multiple times.
Tom Emmer, a leading Republican candidate for speaker of the House, cast doubt on the 2020 presidential election by suggesting "questionable" practices and baselessly claiming that mail-in ballots may have skewed the outcome against Trump. Emmer signed an amicus brief supporting a Texas lawsuit seeking to throw out the results in swing states won by Biden. While he ultimately voted to certify the results, Emmer's comments and actions aligned with election denial rhetoric. He criticized the media for calling the race and emphasized the importance of following the process, even after results were certified. The Texas lawsuit was rejected by the Supreme Court.
Wisconsin's Republican-controlled state senate voted to fire Meagan Wolfe, the state's top elections official, in a party-line vote. Legal experts and the Wisconsin attorney general have disputed the move, which is likely to be determined in court. Wolfe's removal highlights the influence of election deniers and right-wing conspiracy theorists in Wisconsin politics. Republicans have criticized Wolfe for pandemic-related policies and alleged mishandling of the 2020 election. Democrats argue that the vote delegitimizes genuine election concerns in favor of falsehoods and conspiracy theories. Elections officials worry that the ongoing proceedings will fuel more misinformation and negatively impact their work.
Adams Township voters in Michigan have ousted Republican elections clerk Stephanie Scott, who questioned the accuracy of her own voting machines and became a hero to national election deniers. Independent challenger Suzy Roberts won the recall election by a nearly 2-1 margin. Scott was investigated by state police and stripped of her election duties by Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson's office in 2021. The dispute made Scott a hero to national election deniers, including former Overstock.com CEO Patrick Byrne of Utah.