The United States is anticipating potential law and order challenges following the upcoming Presidential elections in November. If the projected rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump results in another loss for the latter, there is concern that Trump’s supporters, who continue to believe in unfounded claims of election fraud from 2020, may react strongly once again in 2024.
Reports suggest that Trump supporters, accepting baseless allegations of the 2020 election being stolen, are prepared to hold onto these beliefs in 2024, potentially leading to protests and other unrest if Trump were to lose. A USA TODAY/Suffolk University Poll on the third anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riot reveals deep skepticism among GOP voters regarding the integrity of the electoral process. This sentiment extends to fears across the political spectrum about threats to American democracy.
According to the poll, 52% of Trump supporters express no confidence in the accurate counting and reporting of the 2024 election results, while only 7% have high confidence. In contrast, 81% of Biden supporters are “very confident” about the election results, emphasizing the stark political divide.
The findings underscore the persistent political schism and skepticism among Trump supporters, echoing the sentiments that fueled the Capitol riot in 2021. Despite reviews by election officials and courts dismissing claims of widespread fraud, doubts persist among Trump supporters.
Trump’s continuous promotion of the view that the 2020 election was rigged has influenced his followers, with two-thirds of Trump supporters in the poll stating they do not believe Biden was legitimately elected. This viewpoint is in sharp contrast to the majority of other voters who accept Biden’s legitimacy.
The survey, conducted from December 26-29, indicates Trump leading Biden 39% to 37%, with 17% planning to vote for an unnamed third-party candidate. Concerns about the last election’s turbulence have heightened apprehensions about the upcoming one, with 83% expressing worry about democracy, and half of Americans indicating a great deal of concern.
The concern, however, does not reflect a national consensus, as both sides blame each other for imperiling democracy. The survey reveals that 40% of respondents, mostly Republicans, believe Democrats are responsible for the threat, while another 40%, mostly Democrats, point the finger at Republicans. When asked about specific threats, 18% cited Trump, 10% mentioned governmental corruption and dysfunction, and smaller percentages attributed concerns to specific political groups.
The ongoing debate over the last election and its potential impact on future ones underscores the challenges faced by the nation as it grapples with deep-rooted divisions and skepticism surrounding the electoral process.