"Over seven million more people chose the other candidate. Only 46.9 percent of voters cast their ballots for you. Refuse to accept this result in the days, weeks and years following the election. Two months after the contest ends, call an election official and say you need him to find you 11,780 votes. Gather your supporters on the day the election results are being certified-tell them how you have been robbed and urge them to fight. Do nothing as they erupt in violence immediately thereafter."
"Waste lots of taxpayers' money and time recounting ballots (in many instances by hand) to make absolutely certain that you did not win. Have one of your most reliable media supporters make baseless claims about the voting machines, an erroneous accusation that ultimately results in them paying a $787 million legal settlement to the company that manufactures the devices. No matter what the evidence repeatedly confirms, keep insisting for years that you won the election."
"Enter the next race a few years later. This time, over two million more people vote for you instead of your opponent. You win. But still keep declaring that you were wronged in the election that preceded this one. A year into your term, with so much else that requires serious leadership, have your administration seize and resurrect ballots from more than five years prior to try to prove that the election was rigged against you."
Refuse to accept an electoral defeat despite receiving fewer votes and publicly claim victory. Pressure election officials to find specific vote totals and mobilize supporters at certification events while alleging theft. Allow those supporters to turn violent. Spend taxpayer money on repeated recounts and promote baseless claims about voting machines, leading to costly legal settlements by media allies. Continue insisting for years that the initial loss was illegitimate. After later winning office, persist in efforts to resurrect old ballots to validate prior fraud claims. Preemptively cast doubt on future elections and work to prevent unfavorable electoral outcomes.
Read at Inside Higher Ed | Higher Education News, Events and Jobs
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