‘Stop the Steal’ Supporters Train Thousands of Poll Observers

As the final stretch begins towards November’s midterm elections, there are growing incidents of intimidation involving an expanding army of election observers echoing former president Donald Trump’s false theories about election fraud. 

While Trump’s claims that the election was stolen from him and of widespread voter fraud have been disproven over and over again, that has not stopped the Republican Party from continuing to echo the conspiracy. 

There is an intensifying grassroots effort to recruit people to the ‘stop the steal’ campaign, which is driven by false theories about election fraud. 

This has heightened alarm that disturbances in this year’s primary contests could foreshadow problems in November’s local, state, and national races.

Officials and experts now worry the conspiracy campaign will deepen the distrust about America’s election process and lead to further harassment and threats to already besieged election workers.

Election officials in several states across the country have reported intimidation incidents. In Colorado, North Carolina, Arizona, and Nevada, angry election watchers have shown up to harass and intimidate officials. 

Groups that question the legitimacy of the 2020 presidential election have helped recruit thousands of observers who support dramatic changes to how Americans vote, including doing away with voting machines and returning to hand-counted paper ballots.

Poll watchers have been a feature of American democracy since the 18th century, recruited by parties and candidates and regulated by state laws and local rules. People from both parties keep an eye on the voting, as well as each other, in order to make sure things go smoothly. 

In some places, poll “watchers” are different from “challengers,” who can point out people they suspect aren’t legal voters. In other states, poll watchers also do the challenge.

Officials say they are concerned observers intent on rooting out so-called voter fraud could cause unnecessary disruptions and long lines at polling places on Election Day.