POLL RECAP: Election was a fraud, more than half say

The U.S. Congress is set Wednesday to officially approve the results of the 2020 presidential election results for President-elect Joe Biden. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump and many of his supporters continue to say there was election fraud.

We were curious about the level of support for Trump’s claims, so we asked the following in our informal poll: “On Jan. 6, Congress is set to officially approve 2020 presidential election results. Do you think there was election fraud?”

As of 6 p.m. Friday, just over half of the 1,168 respondents expressed support for the idea that the election was fraudulent, with the vast majority answering “yes, definitely” (47.9%) or “very likely” (4.4%).

About 48% of those responding disagreed, with a third of all respondents answering “absolutely not” and an additional 14.4% answering that election fraud was “very unlikely.”

A national poll released Dec. 10 by Quinnipiac University show 60% of registered voters believe Biden’s victory is legitimate with 34% believing it was not legitimate. A majority of voters (58%) do not believe there was widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election, Quinnipiac reported, while 38 percent say they believe there was widespread fraud.

Our poll stimulated discussion with 431 comments on Facebook:

Ken Smith believes there was election fraud, writing: “No doubt about. If you can’t see it you don’t want to see it. It’s that simple.”

So does Cathey Fredrickson, who opined: “This election was shameful. The corruption runs deep and it sickens me. Yes, there was fraud and I am disgusted with Ducey.”

And KRenee King, who wrote, “Too many people coming forward with reports of fraud – YES THIS ELECTION WAS STOLEN!”

Glenn Buhrmester cited several reasons in alleging voter fraud. “Yes, there is no way that Biden won anything,” he wrote. “He did not draw any people to his rally’s. He admits to corruption and election fraud. Money and corrupt unethical individuals forced a fake invalid election. How can there be more votes than voters? How can states use equipment that can easily be manipulated by treasonous demons who hate our country?”

Once commenter, Joe Carpenter, posted a meme with Biden dressed as a former Soviet leader, “Joseph Stealin!” In a separate post, he wrote: “Not sure but, given the current circumstances. I think it’s possible, voter fraud has happened throughout our history.”

Ken Rodriguez wondered why, if there was fraud, then why only In the presidential race, and no other federal contests. “No, of course not,” he wrote. “Even conservative researchers say that voter fraud is nearly nonexistent. If there had been as much fraud as the propaganda blasters say, the Democrats would have taken the Senate and increased their majority in the House. As much fraud as Trump and his minions are saying there is cannot possibly be undetected. There would be records of it.”

Michael Slowey agreed: “40 court cases say no fraud, no evidence.”

Mike Pease said the election was legitimate, opining “Joe Biden won the election fair and square. The only fraudulent thing is Donald J. Trump. He is the Grifter king.”

“Only fraud is in the white house currently,” wrote Jim Rivera.

“You have to be stone-cold stupid if you still think there was fraud,” Michael Barker commented. “Those that continue to claim so are just undermining democracy.”