Debunking the Claims of a Rigged 2020 Election: Misinformation and Statistical Myths
The claims of a rigged 2020 election are often based on misinformation and statistical illogic. These false narratives have been circulating for years, causing unnecessary fear and mistrust among some voters. This article will examine the basis of these claims and why they are widely debunked by experts and credible evidence.
Unsubstantiated Claims and Statistical Fallacies
The claims of a rigged election often rely on vague and widely debunked claims. For instance, the assertion that Trump secretly watermarked authentic ballots in Arizona is a lie. Many alleged pieces of evidence are mere misleading allegations or outright lies. A prime case is the film 1000 Mules, which was found to defame an innocent person. These claims often rely on statistical fallacies or a complete misunderstanding of the data.
For example, the claim that five states stopped counting the votes at night and then restarted with an impossible percentage of votes for one candidate is a misleading narrative. This is not only statistically impossible but also lacks any supporting evidence. The so-called "hockey stick" chart showing a sudden increase in votes in a short period is another fabricated claim, as the number of votes cannot be counted so quickly. The logic failure here is profound; even increasing the number of scanners would not allow such a rapid count.
Questionable Observations and Legal Claims
Another common claim is that the lack of voter ID requirement in some states is a sign of manipulation. However, such laws have nothing to do with election fraud and everything to do with ensuring voter rights. The argument that only certain states without voter ID requirements saw a victory for Biden is a misleading correlation. It does not address why states with voter ID requirements experienced the same results. Election laws and practices are complex, and correlating them to fraudulent outcomes is a logical fallacy.
Claims about lost ballots being found two years later are also fabricated. These lost ballots often turned out to support Trump, leading to accusations of a huge swing. This is, however, nothing more than a statistical anomaly and lacks credible evidence. The lack of any concrete proof makes these claims as flimsy as the original ones.
The Media's Role in Election Suppression Claims
Another common narrative is the suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story by the media. It is argued that the failure to report this story immediately before the election was manipulated to change the outcome. However, the media eventually admitted the truth of the story, implicating VP Biden in a Ukraine graft arrangement with his son. This undermines the claim of media suppression and highlights the importance of truth in democratic processes.
George Orwell’s quote is pertinent here: "Omission is the most powerful form of a lie." The media’s final admission of the truth indicates that the story was, indeed, real and relevant to the political climate. Moreover, a quick look at the voters’ turnout shows that the argument of 81 million voters for a 79-year-old crop dusting (likely a typo for crop-duster) patient is simply impossible.
When the same number of votes appears in both 2020 and 2024, despite the prevalence of technology and improved polling, it suggests a different reason for variations in voter turnout. It is more plausible to attribute these differences to genuine factors such as voter fatigue, political alignment, and national issues.
Conclusion
The claims of a rigged 2020 election are based on flawed logic and misinformation. From statistical impossibilities to fabricated narratives, there is no credible evidence to support these claims. It is critical for the public to be aware of the fallacies behind these narratives and to rely on facts and credible sources when making political decisions.