In the past few years, significant changes have been made to the U.S. election process, and these changes are raising red flags for many voters on all sides. From delays in ballot counting to new voting methods that seem to prolong the results for weeks, the very fabric of American democracy feels as if it is being altered. What was once a system where election results were clear within hours or days now extends for weeks, and many people are starting to ask why.
The integrity of our voting system is already lost in the abyss. Why do I say that? Because in the past, both Democrats and Republicans have suggested issues of cheating, manipulation, and voter fraud.
The Shift That Began in 2020
For decades, Americans have trusted the election process to be fair and efficient. Results were typically known within a day or two, with the system working effectively to ensure that every vote was counted and the public had confidence in the outcome. However, in 2020, this changed dramatically. The introduction of widespread mail-in voting, absentee ballots, and extended counting periods were initially introduced as temporary measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But now, in 2024, these “temporary” changes have become standard practice, and they are leading to increased doubt and suspicion.
Many Americans have seen firsthand how the election process has shifted significantly, now stretching out over weeks or even months before results are finalized. In the 2000 election between Al Gore and George W. Bush, the initial count in Florida took only a couple of days, but disputes over the narrow margin triggered a recount that went on for weeks. Democrats immediately claimed Republicans had manipulated the process.
In Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential election against incumbent Jimmy Carter, the results were called on Election Night. Reagan won in a decisive landslide, which allowed the networks to project him as the winner fairly quickly. Reagan’s victory was so clear that Carter conceded before midnight Eastern Time on Election Night, making it one of the quicker election nights in modern history.
Fast forward to 2020, and Donald J. Trump and Republicans expressed similar concerns, as it took three weeks to count all ballots, and Biden was projected as the winner within a few days, even before some ballots were fully counted. This change in the election process raises the question: Why the shift, and why does it appear to impact certain candidates, particularly Donald Trump? We should have had a re-vote.
While the 2024 election has not taken place yet, officials are already suggesting it may take a few weeks for all votes to be counted—indicating the same process all over again.
A Coordinated Effort Against Trump?
For many, the delays and changes in election processes feel like part of a broader effort to block Donald Trump from returning to office. Trump has always been a polarizing figure, challenging both the Republican and Democratic establishments, and his 2016 victory was seen as an upset to the political elite. Since then, it has been clear that many within these circles do not want to see him return to power.
The drawn-out election procedures of 2020 and beyond have only amplified this belief. Whether it’s the continuous litigation, constant recounts, or new voting laws, it seems that the process has been modified in ways that work against candidates like Trump, who thrive on immediate grassroots support. What used to be a streamlined process is now marked by confusion, delays, and changes that many see as unnecessary, if not strategically manipulative.
Erosion of Trust in the System
The American election system has long been a model of democracy for the world. However, as these new processes have taken hold, public trust is deteriorating. A growing number of voters are asking why elections that once took a day to count now take weeks. This prolonged timeline opens the door to potential manipulation and raises the question of who benefits from such delays. As frustration mounts, it is clear that many feel their voices are not being heard, or worse, that their votes are not being counted fairly.
This is not just a problem for Trump supporters. If the election system can be altered or manipulated to stop one candidate, it can just as easily be used to block others in the future. This creates a dangerous precedent where the outcome of elections can be controlled not by the will of the people, but by those in power who decide how and when votes are counted.
A System That Mirrors Third-World Elections?
It’s hard to ignore the comparisons to election processes in less stable countries. In many third-world nations, elections are known for delays, irregularities, and often outright manipulation. These countries often take weeks or even months to count votes, leading to dictatorships or authoritarian regimes. The people in these countries have little control over their government, as the election processes are crafted to ensure the incumbent or the ruling party remains in power.
Seeing similar trends in the U.S. is alarming. What was once the gold standard of democracy is beginning to show cracks that resemble the very systems Americans have long criticized. The more complicated and delayed elections become, the easier it is for those in power to manipulate the outcome.
A Return to Paper Ballots: Restoring Trust in Our Elections
To truly restore faith in our election process, it’s clear that a return to paper ballots is the most secure and transparent solution. The current reliance on electronic voting machines introduces unnecessary complexity and vulnerability into a system that must be airtight. These machines are hackable, and no matter how well-designed, any machine connected to a network or using complex software can be tampered with, leaving the door open to potential manipulation.
Electronic voting was introduced with the promise of efficiency and modernization, but it has also created a host of concerns around election integrity. Simpler systems, like paper ballots, are much harder to compromise. They provide a clear, physical record of every vote cast, which can be counted manually, audited, and recounted if necessary. This ensures that the will of the people is fully and transparently represented.
While some argue that returning to paper ballots would slow down the process, the trade-off is more than worth it. Election integrity must not be sacrificed in the name of convenience. The delays and confusion caused by electronic voting systems only fuel suspicion, and the longer we rely on vulnerable machines, the more the public will lose trust in the process.
As we move forward, the need for a transparent, secure, and trustworthy election process is more important than ever. Returning to paper ballots will help ensure that elections are not manipulated by those who seek to control the outcome. It’s time to demand a system that reflects the true voice of the people—a system that cannot be hacked or altered. This is the only way we can safeguard our democracy for future generations.
A Call for Accountability and Reform
The current state of the U.S. election process is unsustainable. If the delays, confusion, and changes continue, public trust will erode to the point where elections lose all credibility. Americans must demand transparency and accountability. Election results should be clear, concise, and prompt, just as they were for decades. The introduction of new processes should serve to enhance, not undermine, the public’s confidence in the electoral system.
The key is to strike a balance between securing the integrity of the election and ensuring that the process remains efficient and trustworthy. If the current trajectory continues, more and more Americans will feel disconnected from their own democracy, believing that the system has been hijacked by powerful elites who want to control outcomes.
The Road Ahead
As we move forward, Americans must remain vigilant. The integrity of elections is the cornerstone of any democracy. If it becomes compromised, the consequences will affect generations to come. The system must work for the people—not against them—and that means returning to a process where results are timely, transparent, and, above all, trustworthy.
If the new processes introduced since 2020 are truly about inclusion and accuracy, then there must be a concerted effort to ensure that they do not open the door to manipulation or serve as a tool to block certain candidates. The American people deserve elections that reflect their will, and the longer we allow this current system to persist without reform, the closer we come to losing the democracy we hold dear.
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Ooh, this is a hot one! Love it! Well written and expresses a lot of ‘my thoughts exactly’! Perfect timing too, and I am reblogging it now, before I put my next article up (which is going to be a shocker as well). Bravo!
Thank you so much, Sheila! I appreciate the reblog—getting the word out is what it’s all about! Excited to see what you’ve got in store with your next article, especially if it’s a shocker! Keep up the good work, and thank you again for the kind words. Bravo right back at you! 😎
I got my ‘today’s blog post’ out a bit after noon. And it was my most explosive post to date!
My post tomorrow will be very disruptive as well, I think.
And you’re most welcome on the reblog.
Thank you very much, Sheila! It’s great to see you bringing such energy to your posts. Your new song, I Know Stuff, sounded great, and the post was spot on as well. Looking forward to seeing what tomorrow’s post brings—I’m sure it’ll be great too. Keep up the great work! 😎
Thank you so much, John. I had such a busy day today that I didn’t get to post my daily music blog post until this evening! Ha! First time that’s happened so far this year. But I hope it comes across well.
You’re welcome, Sheila! Busy days can definitely throw us off schedule. Your post still turned out great, came across well, and maybe your other readers enjoyed the surprise evening update! 😎
Oh, great! Thank you for checking it out, John.
You’re welcome, Sheila! 😎
Nice post
Thank you! 😎