2020 Election Doubters Now on 2024 Ballot

Donald Trump’s repeated false claims about the 2020 presidential election being stolen have been echoed by notable North Carolinians.

These lies had lethal consequences on January 6, 2021. Despite no evidence of widespread fraud, Republicans across the US have promoted and perpetuated the “Big Lie”, creating uncertainty about the authenticity of local, state, and federal US elections.

In North Carolina, several public figures who endorsed the Big Lie remain influential in local election boards, and some are even running for state and federal office.

Among the most notable North Carolinians endorsing Trump’s unfounded claims is Tim Moore, current Speaker of the North Carolina House and Congressional candidate.

In 2020, Moore visited Pennsylvania during the ballot count and falsely hinted at election fraud, leveraging the slogan “Stop the Steal”.

Moore is projected to be elected to Congress, leaving the General Assembly by year-end. However, numerous election deniers remain in the state legislature and are up for re-election this fall.

Election Deniers in the General Assembly

Thirteen Republicans in the General Assembly signed a letter asking for a national audit of the 2020 election, advocating for Trump’s reappointment as president.

State Senators Ted Alexander and Bob Steinburg, along with Representatives Jay Adams, Mike Clampitt, Edward Goodwin, Bobby Hanig, Kelly Hastings, Keith Kidwell, Donnie Loftis, Jeff McNeely, Tim Moffitt, Larry Pittman, Wayne Sasser, Mitchell Setzer, Harry Warren, and Sam Watford all signed the letter.

Other lawmakers, like State Sen. Warren Daniel, representing parts of Burke, Caldwell, and Buncombe County, have sowed doubt in other ways.

State Rep. Jeffrey McNeely, who chairs the Agriculture and Transportation Committees in the State House, called for voting machine audits and even visited Durham County to inspect their machines.

Several members of the Freedom Caucus, including State Rep. Keith Kidwell and State Sen. Bobby Hanig, convened a press conference in 2021 demanding an audit of voting machines.

Republicans have consistently questioned the legitimacy of elections in Durham after the 2016 election results cemented Roy Cooper’s victory over then-Governor Pat McCrory.

Election Deniers on Local Boards of Elections

Election deniers have also infiltrated the administration of elections across the state.

John Adams, a member of the Montgomery County Board of Elections, demanded Trump declare Martial Law in a Facebook post following the Jan. 6 attack on the US Capitol.

Adams remains on the board.

In Mecklenburg County, two members of the Board of Elections, Elizabeth McDowell and Mary Potter Summa, refused to certify the county’s results. Both remain on the board.

In Burke County, current board member Anthony Iovino shared a Facebook post in April 2021 that proposed the election was stolen.

The ‘Big Lie’ Continues to Influence Our Elections

Four years after falsely claiming victory in the 2020 election, Donald Trump has again been nominated for President by the Republican party. He is already casting doubt on the legitimacy of the 2024 presidential election, stating he would only accept the results if “everything is honest,” further implying he only considers the elections “honest” if he wins.

Trump has also continued his attacks on mail-in-voting, as evidenced by his statement criticizing the US Postal Service’s ability to oversee the 2024 Presidential Election.

With Republican support, Trump is preparing once again to challenge the presidential election outcome if he loses.