With the polls showing upwards of 60% of California voters against the recall of Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, the Republicans and presumed favored alternative Larry Elder have already started the conspiracy claims that the election was rigged against them, the Associated Press reports.
Elder has declared that if he loses, he believes “there might very well be shenanigans, as there were in the 2020 election.” Elder has already set up an election war-room and is soliciting tips of alleged election fraud.
Donald Trump’s minions have distributed various statements calling into doubt the security of the California recall election process and all ballots cast. Various other GOP officials have also promoted unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.
The ploy by Elder and others works against the goals of state Republican leaders, who believe the only way to unseat Newsom is by pushing GOP voter turnout. With Elder, Trump and other conspiracy theorists telling people their votes won’t count, Party officials fear voters won’t be motivated to head to the polls on Election Day, when Republicans typically vote.