Election deniers are shifting their rhetoric from 'stolen' to 'rigged' elections. The distinction is important

[RandySF]

False claims of “stolen election” have reverberated among the anti-voting right for years: Conspiracies alleging mass voter fraud, ballots flown in by foreign adversaries, voting machines programmed to flip Republican votes to Democrats.

But prominent election deniers, far-right activists and some ordinary Republicans have recently shifted their rhetoric.

“Elections are not stolen, but rather rigged – by the laws they have on the books in the various states, which allow for nearly unlimited ballot counting capacities,” Seth Keshel, a prominent anti-voting activist who played a central role in promoting President Donald Trump’s “Big Lie” in 2020, recently wrote.

On the surface, it might seem like a minor shift in terminology.



https://www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/election-deniers-are-shifting-their-rhetoric-from-stolen-to-rigged-elections-the-distinction-is-important/

[SSJVegeta]

1. Seems like they are just saying the quiet part aloud now

Being voting itself means that elections are rigged. That has been their position since 2016 but simply has more support today.

[pat_k]

2. Yep. They are saying "Every vote counts! Count every vote!" is "rigging."

It's 1984.

Erecting insurmountable barriers for legitimate voters keeps our elections free and fair.

Disallowing legitimate votes ensures a free and fair election.

A rigged election is one in which every eligible voter can easily cast their vote and have confidence that their vote is accurately counted.

[SSJVegeta]

3. This fact can be exploited without an enormous amount of effort.

As long as it is coordinated with strong populist pragmatism.

[dlk]

4. It's Republicans doing the rigging

More Republican projection.

[multigraincracker]

5. Every accusation is a confession.

[betsuni]

6. Accusing Democrats of rigging elections began in 2016 and wasn't Republicans who started it.