In the days following the presidential election, both the left and the right circulated graphics on social media claiming that there were millions of fewer voters than in 2020, hinting at possible fraud. But election experts say there's a simple explanation for these doubts: millions of votes have yet to be counted. Left-wing people spread such information graphics with the hashtag “#TrumpCheated,” suggesting a shortfall of 20 million votes compared to the 2020 election total.
The individual on the right is spreading the same thing graphicsclaimed the 2020 election was stolen from Trump.
If these numbers are accurate, this indicates that the 2020 election was stolen. 20 million votes disappeared. In other words, there may have been 20 million fraudulent votes last cycle. That's an insane number. pic.twitter.com/kY5iho2x1w
— Jason Fyk (@JasonFyk) November 6, 2024
“Any denial of an election, whether by the left or the right, is anti-democratic. No, we're not missing 20 million votes,” said David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research. wrote on X (old Twitter). “Votes are still being counted in many states, including millions in California alone. The 2024 vote count will be very close to 2020, when all will be reported.”
Denial of elections, whether by the left or the right, is anti-democratic. No, we are not missing 20 million votes. Votes are still being counted in many states, including millions of votes in California alone. Voting numbers in 2024 are very close to 2020 when everything is reported…
— David Becker (@beckerdavidj) November 6, 2024
As of Thursday, more than 5 million ballots had yet to be counted in California. More than a dozen states are still counting votes, due in part to the popularity of mail-in voting. Mail-in ballots can be mailed in on Election Day in some states and become part of the official count when opened a few days later.
One popular deceptive graph circulating on social media shows President-elect Donald Trump receiving approximately 71 million votes and Democrat Kamala Harris receiving 66 million votes. , suggesting that the total number is much lower than the number of votes cast in 2020.
But in the days since the image was first posted, Trump has earned an additional $2.5 million, bringing his total to $73.5 million. Harris is up to 69 million as well.
Shayan Sardarizadeh, a senior journalist at the BBC, said that both the left and the right “seem not to realize that millions of votes still remain to be counted in some states”.
Both liberal and conservative factions are making false claims about a “20 million vote shortfall.”
Liberals say it's proof of fraud in 2024, conservatives say it's proof of fraud in 2020.
Both men appear unaware that millions of votes have yet to be counted in several states. pic.twitter.com/vmz5JB7OaJ
— Shayan Sardarizadeh (@Shayan86) November 7, 2024
Author and Christian apologist Neil Shembi says believers have a responsibility not to spread falsehoods.
“I once again urge you to stop basing your debate on the premise that there are 20 million missing votes. The votes have not yet been fully counted,” Shenvi wrote.
“We've seen multiple analysts predict that the total will be similar to 2020,” he added.
I once again appeal to you to stop having discussions based on the premise that “20 million votes are missing.''
***Votes have not yet been fully counted. *** https://t.co/jXOuArqlLj pic.twitter.com/1g2aR0FcGJ
— Neil Shenvi (@NeilShenvi) November 8, 2024
That's poor logic, Shenvi I wrotewhich compares Harris' 2024 total to Biden's 2020 total, because “a large number of 2020 Biden voters switched to Trump in 2024.” Six percent of 2024 voters who previously said they voted for Biden have switched to Trump this year, according to exit polls.
“Biden received 15 million more votes in 2020 than Clinton in 2016,” he said. I wrote. “But Mr. Trump got 11 million more votes in 2020 than he did in 2016. We had record turnout, and I suspect turnout in 2024 will be similar.”
No, Biden received 15 million more votes in 2020 than Clinton in 2016. But Trump also received 11 million more votes in 2020 than he did in 2016. We had record turnout and I suspect 2024 will be similar.
— Neil Shenvi (@NeilShenvi) November 8, 2024
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/richjem
michael faust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His articles have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Chronicle, Toronto Star, and Knoxville News Sentinel.
