In recent years, faith in American elections has severely eroded, especially among conservatives who question the integrity of a process that should be above reproach. Time and again, close races in critical states have curiously tipped in favor of Democrats, often when vote counts extend well past Election Day. What’s worse, every effort to investigate irregularities or implement stronger safeguards is met with hostility from the same institutions that should advocate for transparency. Is it any wonder conservatives have grown skeptical?
This crisis of confidence is not rooted in paranoia but in a documented, long-standing double standard, particularly from the media. The same outlets that dismissed conservative concerns today loudly supported Democratic skepticism in the past. In 2000, Democrats waged a drawn-out legal battle over the Florida recount, with media coverage providing a near-constant platform for questioning that election’s legitimacy. In 2016, after Hillary Clinton lost to Donald Trump, prominent Democrats and major media outlets pushed the “Russia collusion” narrative, claiming foreign interference stole the election. This baseless conspiracy theory led to a multi-year, taxpayer-funded investigation that eventually debunked the accusations. Yet, those who promoted the hoax—members of the intelligence community, the DNC, and even the Clinton campaign—faced no consequences for misleading the American public.
The complicity of the media in this duplicity is impossible to ignore. When Democrats lose or fear defeat, they’re allowed to challenge election integrity without resistance from the media. But when conservatives raise legitimate questions—especially in light of documented irregularities in places like Georgia’s Fulton County—they’re branded as extremists or conspiracy theorists. The hypocrisy is blatant: it’s acceptable to question the process when it benefits one side, but it’s “dangerous” and “anti-democratic” when the other side does it. This partisan protectionism from the media has shielded fraudulent activities and eroded public trust, giving rise to suspicions of widespread manipulation.
Even when indisputable evidence of misconduct emerges, it’s swept under the rug. In Fulton County, Georgia, for example, surveillance footage from the 2020 election shows poll workers pulling bins of ballots from under a table after Republican poll watchers had been told to leave. Those ballots were counted in the middle of the night with no observers—a clear violation of transparency and election norms. But rather than investigate, the media either ignored the story or dismissed it as conspiracy, despite the glaring impropriety. This selective reporting has become a hallmark of election coverage, with journalists acting less like watchdogs and more like gatekeepers for the Democratic Party.
The media’s dismissal and condescension have real-world consequences. By refusing to report honestly on allegations of fraud, they contribute to a culture of impunity, where those who engage in misconduct know they’re unlikely to face scrutiny. For instance, the 2020 election saw an unprecedented shift to mail-in voting due to COVID-19. But with that shift came massive vulnerabilities—many of which were exploited. In key states, procedural safeguards were ignored, and Republican poll watchers were denied access or faced obstruction. Yet, anyone who questioned these irregularities was accused of “threatening democracy,” even as concerns about election integrity remained unaddressed.
Election integrity is not merely a talking point; it is the backbone of a functioning democracy. Without it, we cannot expect voters to trust the outcome, and without trust, we cannot expect democracy to endure. Polling shows that the majority of Americans—Republicans, Democrats, and Independents alike—support common-sense measures like voter ID requirements. These measures are not radical; they are necessary to protect the sanctity of the vote. Yet Democrats consistently oppose these reforms, even going so far as to equate them with suppression. Why would they resist something as straightforward as verifying a voter’s identity unless they believed it would disrupt a system that benefits them?
This reluctance to support voter ID or increased transparency reveals an unsettling reality: Democrats have grown comfortable with the current system, one that allows potential manipulation under the guise of accessibility. Opposing voter ID, extended deadlines, and unmonitored drop boxes are actions that erode public trust. If the Democrats truly believed in election integrity, they would be leading the charge for more secure elections, not fighting it at every turn.
Despite these issues, Democrats know they can get away with it because they already have. They benefitted in 2020, and they doubled down in 2022. The press, instead of serving as the public’s advocate, has become a shield, protecting the Democratic Party from accountability and demonizing anyone who dares to ask questions. But 2024 may be different. With the RNC now led by Trump-aligned conservatives who understand the stakes, Republicans are more prepared to demand transparency, to litigate every questionable practice, and to uphold election integrity. Unlike past cycles, this RNC will not bow to pressure but will fight to ensure that every legitimate vote is counted and every fraudulent one is discarded.
A nation cannot survive under the shadow of corrupted elections. Election fraud isn’t just a partisan grievance; it is an existential threat to the republic. If we allow fraud, manipulation, or even the appearance of either to flourish unchallenged, we are signing democracy’s death certificate. Every American should demand a fair and transparent process—not just to favor one side or another, but to preserve our shared national future. The question isn’t whether we’re ready to address these issues. The question is whether we can afford not to.
