In a warehouse transformed into an America First social club in Ronkonkoma, NY, former tax law professor David Clements urged a group of 30 people to focus on who administers and certifies elections to address their election concerns. Since the 2020 election, right-wing activists and Trump allies have been organizing nationwide to build an army of community activists to collect proof of alleged fraud, launch lawsuits, or pressure local election officials. These efforts rely on baseless claims and conspiracy theories that have been debunked. The training for local activists often includes techniques to pressure election officials or physically take over public meetings.
Several far-right advocacy groups have emerged, training local activists on questioning voter rolls, pushing for hand counting ballots, or conducting penetration tests on voting machines. Despite claiming not to be a conspiracy, these groups have coordinated efforts that have influenced several states’ decisions. Yet, election officials have at times found local activists helpful but sometimes overwhelming with information requests and questions. The activists’ goal is to contest elections or pressure officials to refuse to certify results.
As the 2024 election approaches, the network of right-wing activists and Trump supporters have matured and are more organized, raising concerns about potential social unrest. While they have succeeded in creating noise and resistance to certification, experts believe these efforts won’t change the election’s outcome due to legal limitations. The concern remains that the widespread belief in election fraud could sow new doubts about the election system’s integrity.
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