Republican Donald Trump's false claims about voter fraud in Pennsylvania have raised concerns about a potential repeat of attempts to overturn election results if he performs poorly against Democrat Kamala Harris in Tuesday's US presidential election.
With just four days until Election Day, opinion polls show Trump locked in a tight race with Vice President Harris in both national surveys and in seven closely contested states. Trump has consistently asserted that his 2020 loss to President Joe Biden was due to widespread fraud, a claim that has no basis in fact.
Recently, Trump intensified his unfounded allegations regarding investigations into questionable voter registration forms in Pennsylvania, suggesting they indicate fraud. Some supporters have claimed voter suppression as long lines formed for mail-in ballots this week.
Democrats, led by Harris, are preparing for the possibility that Trump might prematurely declare victory before all votes are counted, a tactic he used in 2020. Their strategy involves swiftly countering any claims he makes by calling for calm and patience on social media and in the news. "We are sadly ready if he does [declare victory], and if we know that he is actually manipulating the press... we are prepared to respond," Harris stated in an interview.
Trump's baseless allegations about voter fraud following the 2020 election contributed to the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol, where his supporters sought to disrupt the certification of electoral votes. "This is sowing the seeds for attempts to overturn an election," warned Kyle Miller, a strategist with Protect Democracy. "We saw it in 2020, and I think the lesson Trump and his allies have learned since is that they have to sow these ideas early."
