Here’s How We Know the 2020 Election Was Free, Fair, and Secure
Anti-democracy actors and Election Deniers continue to attack an election proven to be accurate by officials, data, and the courts.
The 2020 election was one of the most secure elections in American history. State and local election officials were committed to delivering a free, fair, and accurate election for the American people in the midst of a global pandemic—and they succeeded.
But almost immediately after the final votes were cast, President Trump and his allies—upset that the election didn’t go their way—launched a coordinated campaign to spread falsehoods about the security and accuracy of the election. They lied about the safety of voting machines, mail voting, foreign interference, and voter rolls. In fact, they had been laying the groundwork for this operation for months prior to the election. The Election Denial movement has continued for six years.
Despite years of repeated lies, no court has ever found those claims—or the election conspiracy theories they’re based on—to be true, and no audit has found a trace of widespread voter fraud. Officials and organizations from across the political spectrum agree.
Now back in office, Trump has tried to abuse executive power to continue his ruse of resentment and election lies, spending federal resources on investigations into 2020 and lying repeatedly from his seat in the Oval Office. These falsehoods have real consequences: Voter confidence, free and fair elections, and the rule of law are on the line.
Here are some helpful messages about the safety and security about the 2020 election:
On the 2020 Election:
See: What’s Breaking Through About the Trump Administration’s 2020 Election Investigation
- The 2020 election was free, fair, and secure, and the results were accurate. It’s been proven time and time again.
- There’s no evidence of wrongdoing. States ran recounts and audited results. Conspiracy theories about the 2020 election have been heard by the courts and dismissed.
- People are ready to move on. This country needs leaders who look to the future.
- Our election officials are busy preparing for another safe and secure election this year. Claims about 2020 are meant to distract from that important work and undermine trust in our elections.
On Foreign Interference Claims:
See: Lawfare: Five Foreign Election Conspiracy Theories Making the Rounds Again
- Trump’s own national security officials in his first term said the 2020 election was the most secure in U.S. history. He should listen to his own former experts.
- National security agencies found that no foreign actor successfully interfered in the 2020 election. They didn’t prevent voting; they didn’t change votes; and they didn’t alter the results.
- Now, Trump and his allies in the administration are spreading election conspiracy theories rooted in foreign interference claims to cast doubt ahead of this year’s midterm elections.
On Voting Machine Security:
See: Sharing the Facts About Voting Machines
- Voting machines are tested, certified, and accurate. They are subject to extensive security protections and accuracy checks.
- Voting machines go through a complex multi-year process overseen by many people to meet strict requirements before they are certified for use.
- Election equipment is kept in secure locations year-round.
- Before every single election, voting machines are tested thoroughly in front of bipartisan observers.
- Americans care about an accurate vote count—that’s why we’ve trusted machines to count votes for more than a century.
“[T]he movement against American democracy did not begin or end on January 6, 2021. It is strong and growing today, and it requires a profound and powerful response.”
A state-by-state breakdown of the falsehoods that circulated and related rebuttals to help negate the effects of the conspiracy theories.
Fueled by misinformation and lies about the 2020 election, many of the key actors involved and key actions taken that contributed to the attack originated from the states.
California Supreme Court permanently disbarred John Eastman, who was a key architect of Trump’s unlawful plan to stay in power after he lost the 2020 presidential election. During his case before the California State Bar Court, the Parties filed a Joint Pre-Trial Statement, featuring several key resources refuting 2020 election fraud claims.
Now back in power, Trump is using the force of the federal government to try to seize control over our free and fair elections.
Mail voting provides a safe, secure, and accessible alternative to going to a polling place in person to vote.
CISA’s ability to support election security efforts—particularly cyber and foreign threats—is now in question during the second Trump administration.
Michigan
The court specifically addressed virtually all of the allegations DOJ attempts to resurrect in Wayne County.
Events in the state leading up to the January 6 attack, participation by Michigan actors in relevant events and the attack itself, efforts in Michigan to discredit or reverse the outcome of the presidential election, and subsequent post-January 6 events.
“Tens of thousands of Michiganders work tirelessly to make sure your ballot can safely and securely become a vote.”
Georgia
This analysis finds that the EOG Report provides no coherent theory or evidence of fraud and no basis to doubt the results of the election.
Events in the state leading up to the January 6 attack, participation by Georgia actors in relevant events and the attack itself, efforts in Georgia to discredit or reverse the outcome of the presidential election, and subsequent post-January 6 events.
Arizona
Based on a thorough review of the publicly available information, this report identifies seven core defects that undermine the review’s credibility and should call into question any of the review’s findings.
Events in the state leading up to the January 6 attack, participation by Arizona actors in relevant events and the attack itself, efforts in Arizona to discredit or reverse the outcome of the presidential election, and subsequent post-January 6 events.
“More than 7,400 Arizonans work tirelessly to make sure the votes on your ballot are counted.”
Pennsylvania
Events in the state leading up to the January 6 attack, participation by Pennsyvlania actors in relevant events and the attack itself, efforts in Pennsylvania to discredit or reverse the outcome of the presidential election, and subsequent post-January 6 events.
“Elections in Pennsylvania are run locally, with state oversight. All told, more than 45,000 election workers and officials ensure Pennsylvania’s elections are safe, secure, and accurate.”
Wisconsin
Events in the state leading up to the January 6 attack, participation by Wisconsin actors in relevant events and the attack itself, efforts in Wisconsin to discredit or reverse the outcome of the presidential election, and subsequent post-January 6 events.
“Thousands of Wisconsinites work tirelessly to make sure your ballot can safely and securely become a vote.”
Nevada
“Thousands of Nevadans work tirelessly to make sure your ballot can safely and securely become a vote.”
“The November 3rd election was the most secure in American history.”
“These government officials, judges, and elected leaders, overwhelmingly Republican, have publicly acknowledged confidence in the November election.”
Federal judges dismissed more than 50 lawsuits.
“[N]o post-election audit, recount, or federal cybersecurity assessment has produced evidence that a U.S. voting system altered or flipped votes. produced evidence that a U.S. voting system altered or flipped votes.”