Over the weekend, Trump took to Twitter to (falsely) claim that he only lost the popular vote because “millions of people” voted illegally. This was part of a larger Twitter tirade against Green Party candidate Jill Stein’s request for a recount in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. In case you forgot, or voluntarily erased it from your memory, in the weeks leading up to Election Day, Trump complained that the election was rigged against him at every level, from the thoroughly debunked conspiracy of “large scale voter fraud” to the “dishonest” media. And then he won.
And still his claims of voter fraud have not become any more true. The reality is there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud. We’ll say it again: according to the most comprehensive investigation of voter fraud, out of 1 billion votes cast between 2000 and 2014, there were just 31 instances of possible impersonation. Nevertheless, Trump is back with the claim—and without evidence—that millions of people voted illegally. In addition to undermining the integrity of our election system, Trump’s voter fraud claims also look past the real impact voter suppression laws had on the election.
Unlike Trump’s claim, there is evidence of voter suppression laws preventing Americans’ voices from being heard this election. In Wisconsin, for example—where Donald Trump won by only 22,000 votes—300,000 registered voters in the state did not have a form of voter ID required under the state’s strict new voter ID law. But false claims of illegal voting are used to justify attacks on voting rights and voter access to keep traditionally less politically powerful voters—primarily people of color, young people, people with low-incomes—from exercising their power by voting.
ACTION OF THE DAY
Nightmare from elections past. Trump’s Chief Strategist, Steve Bannon said he’d prefer “if only property owners could vote.” As if he needed another way to prove that he is a racist, Islamophobic, misogynist. A change like this would have a huge impact on the voting population. Because white people are more likely to own property than minority populations, the white share of the eligible voters would increase by 8 percent. Using Census data, the Center for American Progress Action Fund estimates that the share of eligible minority voters would decrease substantially:
- If Bannon had his way and only property owners were allowed to vote, the share of African American voters within the voter pool would decrease by 29 percent.
- If Bannon had his way and only property owners were allowed to vote, the share of Latino voters within the voter pool would decrease by 17 percent.
- If Bannon had his way and only property owners were allowed to vote, the share of Millennial voters within the voter pool would decrease by 25 percent.
Add this to the (long) list of reasons Congressional Republicans should urge Trump to #DumpBannon.
Transition tracker. Can’t believe who Trump is filling the swamp with? Neither can we. Check out our transition tracker for everything you need to know about who Trump is tapping to fill key administration positions and what you can do about it.
WHAT’S TRENDING
#OhioState Just before 10 o’clock this morning, an active shooter was reported on the campus of The Ohio State University in Columbus. It has now been confirmed that the suspect intentionally drove up on the curb and hit people with a car before getting out and stabbing people. There is no evidence the attacker shot anyone. Details are still unfolding about the incident, but at least nine people have been transported to the hospital with stab wounds and other injuries. Police have confirmed that one suspect has been shot and killed. Follow the story as it develops here.
“Fidel Castro is dead!” That was an actual tweet from President-elect Donald Trump after news broke that Fidel Castro, who defied the United States for almost 50 years, died. This morning he suggested he is open to terminating the landmark deal President Obama made to reestablish diplomatic relations with Cuba after more than 50 years of enmity. Here’s more on the fate of U.S.-Cuba relations in the world of Trump.
Cautionary Tales. Hungary should serve as one for the United States. Right-wing national populism in Hungary has upended civil society and the anti-immigrant rhetoric there sounds a lot like someone whose name rhymes with stump… More on Hungary and the threat right-wing national populism poses to democratic institutions here.
Slow Rolling. ICYMI, last week a federal judge in Texas blocked the implementation of the Department of Labor’s overtime rule that was set to take effect December 1st. That means millions of workers still won’t get paid for their overtime hours. Read our statement here.
UNDER-THE-RADAR
Eviction notice. The Army Corps of Engineers has notified the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe that it will be evicting protesters at the Dakota Access Pipeline on December 5th. Native Americans and allies have been protesting the pipeline—and enduring violence from police officers and other security figures—for months because it impacts sacred sites and could harm drinking water for millions of people. Despite the notice and the violence, the Standing Rock Tribe says they aren’t going anywhere. Want to help? Donate to the tribe or call the Army Corps at 202-761-5903.
GOOD NEWS
Combatting Islamophobia. Mark Bennington, a photographer, is combatting the rise in Islamophobia spread by Trump and co. with a new photo series of Muslim young adults in NYC, titled “America 2.0.” Check it out.