The voting process is central to democracy. It works because we all agree to abide by the results of properly organized votes. We can’t insist that more votes should be taken until we get the result we want, or work to exclude some voters because we fear they won’t vote the way they want them to, or refuse to accept the results because we don’t agree with the outcome. But there are signs that preparations are being made to discredit the November 2024 referendum on Puerto Rico’s status.
We’ve seen this before
Puerto Rico voters have chosen statehood three times. Each time, the leaders of anti-statehood factions questioned the outcome of the vote. Each of the votes was structured differently, in efforts to respond to the process questions that arose. Each time, there was a clear majority for statehood. And each time, Congress — and many voters — were left with a feeling that things were just too chaotic to be sure.
The tactics used ranged from boycotts to calls for blank ballots to questioning turnout and more.
An early start
This time, anti-statehood factions are getting a head start. They’re working to cast doubt on the entire electoral process.
One claim being made is that there is a “vast vote-stealing scheme” with deceased people on the list of registered voters and irregular voter registration actions. The supposed evidence for the claim rests on unidentified sources, vague claims that “many people” behave fraudulently, and even the existence of rules against such actions in the Electoral Code.
Certainly, it is possible that the names of people who have died or moved away might not be removed from the roles as quickly as they should. A few specific cases are referenced. But beyond those few, all the claims simply say without evidence that fraud is taking place “on a large scale.”
The report does refer to some cases under investigation and prosecution. The existence of such cases shows that irregularities in the system are investigated and prosecuted. Like the reporting error in the primary election, flaws and errors can take place in any human undertaking, but the systems designed to catch and correct errors. Without evidence to support the claims of massive fraud, these claims do nothing but cause people to feel less confident about voting.
Rumors of this kind can be found across the country, actually. Ballotpedia has a review of research on the subject for those interested in voter fraud. At the very least, we can conclude that Puerto Rico is not alone in suffering accusations of this kind.
Another set of claims hold that one party or another (claims against all the political parties can be found) is corrupt and intends to undermine the upcoming election. Using highly emotional phrases like “undemocratic barbarity ” and “kangaroo courts in authoritarian dictatorships,” these claims substitute extreme language for actual evidence of wrongdoing. Again, these stories do not purport to show that illegal or illegitimate actions have taken place; they are intended to suggest that the entire electoral process can’t be trusted.
What’s the point?
This kind of scurrilous accusation can be found in fake news sites paid for by foreign governments. Numerous federal intelligence reports have detailed the process by which propagandists work to influence U.S. elections by intentionally creating discord and mistrust among voters. Unsubstantiated rumors are published at fake news sites, using inflammatory language and half truths. Then these reports are widely shared on social media and eventually make their way into mainstream news reports.
While some of these false reports are actually written about Puerto Rico, we can see how claims following this pattern — even though they are not bankrolled by foreign governments — could have equally troubling effects. If enough voters feel hopeless about the electoral process and decide to skip voting, the democratic process can be seriously disrupted.
What can you do?
For one thing, make sure you register and vote. 75% of newly eligible voters in Puerto Rico haven’t registered to vote, according to Somos Mas. The Center for Puerto Rican Studies has documented falling rates of electoral involvement for some years. The more people are active in the electoral process, the less opportunity there is for any irregularity on the part of any bad actors.
We can also resist disinformation. News reports should contain verifiable facts with clear sources. Vague allegations by unnamed people cannot be the source of information on serious subjects.
Let your voice be heard. Speak up for yourself, and speak up for Puerto Rico.
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