Midterm Elections and the Challenge of Election Denial

Approximately 250 million Americans are set to cast their votes in the upcoming midterm elections. As of last week, over 34 million had already voted. In the midst of this democratic exercise, President Trump and his supporters are actively interfering with the process.

Many candidates featured on this year’s ballots are undermining trust in elections despite consistent evidence of their fairness. Some were directly involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 election, while others have embraced unfounded claims of election fraud. Voters should decisively reject these candidates.

Participation in elections is a vital civic duty. It empowers citizens to influence government representation, resist tyranny and corruption, guide the allocation of tax dollars, and shape the nation’s future. A democratic system relies on fair elections to facilitate peaceful transitions of power between leaders. This practice is described as both rare and modern by scholars.

Every public official in the U.S. must swear to uphold the Constitution. However, Trump, who took this oath twice, has breached it repeatedly by attempting to undermine confidence in elections and interfere with state election processes. His actions are unpatriotic and unconstitutional.

The U.S. Departments of Justice and Homeland Security have been involved in this undermining effort. These actions are not isolated. An analysis from the nonpartisan States United Democracy Center reveals that 197 election deniers appear on ballots across 43 states. These deniers are characterized by their promotion of Trump’s falsehoods about the 2020 election, refusal to certify the results on January 6, 2021, or attempts to overturn President Joe Biden’s victory.

In particular, there are 163 congressional races nationwide featuring such candidates. Their potential election matters significantly because the elected House or Senate members will certify the 2028 presidential election, a process Trump sought to disrupt in 2021. At least 33 other election deniers are pursuing statewide positions such as governor, attorney general, or secretary of state.

Highlighted candidates include Reps. Andy Biggs of Arizona, Byron Donalds of Florida, and Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin. These individuals supported objections to legitimate electoral votes during the 2021 certification. Their defeat is essential for safeguarding democracy.

Research consistently debunks significant election irregularity claims, such as voter fraud. The American Bar Association notes that American elections are managed effectively, and efforts undermining their security present substantial risks.

Some legal scholars interpret the Constitution as disqualifying officials involved in election denial from office. The 14th Amendment’s Section 3 disallows federal or state officials from office if they partake in rebellion against it, but enforcement remains unclear. In a pivotal 2024 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Congress holds the authority to disqualify federal officials, creating ambiguity.

While Trump won’t appear on upcoming ballots, voters have the chance to hold him accountable by voting against candidates who denied the 2020 election results and continue supporting his destructive influence. These individuals threaten the integrity of the electoral process and erode public trust in voting. Action must be taken to preserve democracy.

William S. Becker is co-editor of “Democracy Unchained: How to Rebuild Government for the People” and a contributor to “Democracy in a Hotter Time.” He served as a senior official in the Wisconsin Department of Justice and currently is the executive director of the Presidential Climate Action Project.