contents
In many places in the USA, so-called “election deniers” – in German election deniers – are up for election. According to experts, if they were elected, it could be dangerous for US democracy.
US democracy is in danger, threatened by former President Donald Trump and his supporters. That’s what US President Joe Biden said in a recent speech. In the individual states, Trump’s supporters are trying to undermine democracy.
In fact, in many places there are so-called “election deniers” to choose from: Republican candidates who claim without evidence that Trump only lost his 2020 election because the opposition cheated. So far there is no solid evidence of electoral fraud.
Trump has made 2020 election denial a core element of what it means to be a loyal Republican.
Trump has not disappeared from the scene – and Trumpism and the election lies have become even more powerful since 2020. That says Rick Hasen, an expert on voting rights at the University of California. “Trump has made denying the 2020 election a core element of what it means to be a loyal Republican,” Hasen said.
If the “election deniers” prevail in the midterm elections in two months, they will soon occupy key positions in important states. Experts warn that this is extremely dangerous for democracy, especially with a view to the next presidential election in 2024.
Election deniers are available in many places. Even in hard-fought states such as Arizona, Michigan or Pennsylvania, where Joe Biden won the presidential election by a razor-thin margin.
In addition to Republican Mark Finchem, Keri Lake is also running in the congressional elections in Arizona – the Republican wants to become governor, i.e. head of government. Both spread the myth of the stolen election.
So Arizona may soon have two election deniers in high office – and the state legislature will probably remain under Republican control. “The safeguarding mechanisms of democracy would be almost completely undermined – only the courts would remain,” says Tammy Patrick, who is also committed to the preservation of democracy at the Democracy Fund.
End of US Democracy?
According to Patrick, it is quite possible that the next election will be decided there. She urges the people to go vote this November while they are still in power. “Because if these candidates are elected and they act in office the way they talk on the campaign trail, that puts the United States in an unprecedented situation,” Patrick continued.
Or to put it another way: The Election Deniers would have to be defeated at the ballot box this November. After that it might be too late for US democracy.