A Rigged Election
By Kyra Goodman, Eddie Poe, Matthias Sauermann and Emma Farne
“So many cities are corrupt and voter fraud is very, very common,” Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said at a rally just weeks before election day. In the final days of his campaign he urged his supporters to be wary of “suspicious behavior” at the polls, despite numerous claims that voter fraud in U.S. elections is very rare. The Republican nominee also announced that he may not accept the results of the election if he did not prevail.
In light of repeated accusations made by the Trump campaign, political analysts have said that the perception of election manipulation could be a danger to democracy. If voters felt that the election results would be unfair, it would destabilize the government.
Voters in Scottsdale, Arizona, denounced his assertions that the election results could be altered when speaking to ASU Cronkite students on Tuesday morning. Even Trump supporters called some of his comments “ridiculous” and “over the top”.
Vincent Anselmo, a Vietnam veteran, declared his firm support of Donald Trump. Despite Trump’s accusations of a rigged election, he is certain that his vote will count. “The Maricopa County Election Department has a number that you can call to find out if your ballot has been received and according to them it was,” said Anselmo. Nonetheless, he strongly feels that Democrats in the past have found “ways to get their candidates elected.” |
Another Trump supporter, Robert Leibmann, said that despite accusations of a rigged election, he feels that every citizen is obliged to vote. “Voting is our greatest right as an American and it’s our responsibility to cast a vote.” He also remarked that whether you think your vote counts is not as relevant as making sure you do vote and if you don’t, “you don’t have the right to complain.”
At another polling station in Scottsdale, independent voter Ryan Brannen reiterated that Trump’s comments were dangerous. “Because certain accusations come from people of authority, others take that as fact,” Brannen said. These claims were not backed by evidence but were made “regardless of the truth.” A third Trump supporter in Scottsdale, Tracy Frazier, stood firmly on the accusations of a rigged election. “There’s no rigged election, no long lines… everything is running smoothly.” |
Political experts have continuously felt that perhaps Trump’s claims, his supporters aren’t really convinced of his remarks and that they are merely expressing frustrations with his campaign or with the process in general. This notion was backed by his supporters in Scottsdale. People at the Scottsdale Worship Center said that after the election is over, it is important that the country comes together. The church has a diverse audience with some leaning left and others right.
Locals helping out at the church, spoke strongly that “whatever the outcome, the country should stand united.”
Locals helping out at the church, spoke strongly that “whatever the outcome, the country should stand united.”
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