As the 2024 presidential race nears its end, former President Donald Trump is already building a case to contest the results should he lose to Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. For months, Trump has told supporters the election could only be stolen, claiming fraud as the only explanation for a potential loss. At rallies across the country, he has warned that Democrats are “working overtime to cheat,” despite providing no credible evidence for his assertions.
“The only thing that can stop us is the cheating,” Trump said at a recent event in Arizona, fueling suspicions about the election process. It’s a strategy reminiscent of his approach in 2020, when he claimed victory prematurely and launched a campaign to overturn the results—a campaign that culminated in the January 6 Capitol attack. With his 2024 campaign’s backing, Trump has assembled a highly organized “election integrity” operation, with over 230,000 volunteers trained as poll watchers and more than 130 lawsuits already filed in various states to preemptively contest election processes.
The Claims and the Facts
Trump’s claims range from alleging that Democrats are registering noncitizens to vote, to asserting that voter fraud is rampant in key states like Pennsylvania. For instance, Trump has repeatedly claimed that noncitizens are registering en masse—a claim refuted by the fact that only U.S. citizens are legally eligible to vote in federal elections, and research has shown that cases of noncitizens mistakenly registering or casting ballots are exceedingly rare.
In recent days, Trump has also focused on Pennsylvania, alleging voter fraud in counties such as Lancaster and York. However, local officials clarified that they are investigating potentially fraudulent registration applications—not votes—a routine process aimed at securing election integrity, which, they argue, underscores the system’s checks and balances.
Trump’s campaign is also targeting overseas ballots, claiming that Democrats are attempting to “dilute the TRUE vote” by encouraging non-resident Americans to vote. Ironically, Trump has previously courted overseas votes himself, promising U.S. expatriates to reduce so-called “double taxation.”
Threats of Legal Action
Beyond contesting votes, Trump has repeatedly warned that, if re-elected, he will prosecute those he views as responsible for “cheating” in 2020 and 2024. These threats are not new; as president, Trump pressured the Justice Department to investigate political adversaries, and he has indicated that he would appoint officials willing to pursue cases against his rivals. Though the Justice Department has institutional safeguards to prevent political interference, Trump’s history of challenging these norms suggests he may test those boundaries if given another term.
Impact on the Election
Democrats worry Trump’s preemptive challenges could disrupt the vote-counting process or even cast doubt on results if they are not immediately conclusive. His strategy reflects an effort to retain influence over his base and sow doubt among voters who might otherwise accept the outcome. In an election as contentious as 2024, the possibility of Trump contesting the results looms large, setting the stage for a repeat of the divisive post-election period of 2020.
With trust in the electoral process already strained, Trump’s rhetoric has the potential to erode public confidence even further. As Election Day approaches, both parties are preparing for a possible clash over the legitimacy of the results, with Trump doubling down on claims that “cheating” is the only plausible reason he might lose.
Sources for this article include: Associated Press, Newsmax interviews, statements from Pennsylvania county officials.
