On the eve of the election, should we fear a new assault on the Capitol? In late October, Donald Trump and Elon Musk reported election fraud in Pennsylvania. All without proof. However, the different voting systems are very protected. Here’s how they are protected.
Baseless claims of voter fraud are increasing in the run-up to the 2024 elections in the United States, despite a lack of evidence of manipulation of the voting system.
Trump and Musk: accusations without proof
Donald Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk claim without evidence that the American electoral system is vulnerable to fraud. Recently, Trump accused the state of Pennsylvania of “cheating,” while Musk, owner of the social network X, spreads theories about the reliability of voting systems. However, election security experts say there is no evidence that these systems are being manipulated.
Diversified and secure voting systems
The voting system supplier Dominion Voting Systems, widely used in the United States, has become the center of numerous conspiracy theories since 2020. Sean Lyngaas, cybersecurity specialist, recalls that three large suppliers dominate the market: Dominion, ES&S and Hart InterCivic. To secure the process, the majority of votes (97%) are supported by a paper copy allowing subsequent verification, essential to reassure voters and guarantee the accuracy of the count.
Security measures to prevent fraud
Despite media attacks, experts emphasize the effectiveness of security measures such as data traceability and regular system audits. Zachary Cohen, national security specialist, specifies: “Past mistakes, like the 2020 Georgia trespass, are the exceptions, not the rule.“In addition, data protection measures include extensive testing by national laboratories to detect and correct possible vulnerabilities.
A worrying climate of disinformation
The spread of unfounded theories influences public debate and can erode voter confidence. “The slightest flaw is seen as proof of fraud, which is absolutely false“, underlines Sean Lyngaas. Since 2020, some pro-Trump officials have used this confusion to cast doubt on the results, sometimes by illegally accessing voting systems, as was seen in Georgia. These incidents, even rare, serve as a pretexts to contest the results, creating a climate of distrust towards the electoral system.
The threat of “internal actors”
The greatest threat now comes from “insider actors” – individuals who, influenced by misinformation, may seek to manipulate the process from within. The recent nine-year prison sentence of an election official in Colorado could, however, deter future incidents.
In short, as the 2024 elections approach, experts are warning against this manipulation of public perception. Zachary Cohen concludes: “Even without proof, these allegations risk creating enough doubt to disrupt post-election results and shake public faith in the system.“
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