Where Are The 20 Million Votes? Debunking the 2024 Election Misinformation

Following the 2024 election, a misleading narrative has emerged, questioning the legitimacy of the results by focusing on a supposed discrepancy of “20 million missing votes” compared to the 2020 election. This claim, amplified on social media, suggests foul play and echoes previous unfounded allegations of voter fraud. However, a closer look reveals a far simpler and less sensational explanation: the votes are still being counted.

Unpacking the “Missing Votes” Claim: It’s About Incomplete Counts

The core of the misinformation lies in comparing early, incomplete vote tallies from the 2024 election to the final vote counts of the 2020 election. Influencers and certain online platforms have highlighted a perceived drop in Democratic votes, particularly when juxtaposed against the record-breaking turnout of 2020. This comparison, made prematurely, fuels the false narrative that millions of votes have vanished or were never cast, implying widespread voter suppression or manipulation.

However, election officials and experts have consistently clarified that vote counting is a process that extends beyond election day, especially with the increasing prevalence of mail-in ballots. States like California, specifically mentioned in some of these misleading posts, are known for their meticulous and time-consuming ballot counting procedures. California sends mail-in ballots to every registered voter and accepts ballots postmarked by election day for up to seven days after. This naturally leads to a more extended period before final results are available.

As of November 13, days after the election, major news outlets like the Associated Press were still reporting millions of uncounted ballots across several states, including a significant number in California. The initial claims of “missing millions” conveniently ignored this ongoing process, creating a false sense of alarm and suspicion.

The Spread of Misinformation: Key Amplifiers

This “missing votes” narrative gained traction through various social media channels and online personalities known for pushing partisan viewpoints. Conservative influencer Benny Johnson, for instance, posted on X (formerly Twitter) questioning the apparent disappearance of “20 million Democrats” based on early vote counts. Similarly, ZeroHedge, a website known for spreading misinformation, shared a graph visually exaggerating the difference between 2020 Democratic vote counts and preliminary 2024 numbers. DC_Draino, another prominent conservative influencer, further amplified this misleading graph on Instagram, explicitly suggesting that it indicated election fraud in 2020.

These posts, often presented with loaded language and rhetorical questions, tapped into pre-existing distrust in the electoral process, particularly among certain political groups. By presenting incomplete data points as conclusive evidence, these influencers fueled doubt and suspicion without acknowledging the standard procedures of vote counting.

Historical Perspective: Vote Totals Fluctuate

It’s crucial to understand that comparing vote totals across different election years is not a straightforward exercise. Voter turnout varies, candidate popularity shifts, and national political landscapes evolve. Pointing to a potential decrease in votes for one party in a specific election cycle compared to a previous one, especially before all votes are tallied, is not inherently indicative of fraud.

History provides numerous examples of vote count fluctuations. In 1988, George H.W. Bush received millions fewer votes than Ronald Reagan did in 1984. Similarly, Barack Obama’s 2012 vote count was lower than his historic 2008 numbers. These variations are normal and reflect the dynamic nature of elections, not evidence of systemic irregularities.

The record-high turnout in the 2020 election, driven by unique political circumstances and heightened civic engagement, further skews direct comparisons with subsequent elections. Expecting every election to replicate the exact turnout and vote distribution of 2020 is unrealistic and sets the stage for misinterpretations when numbers naturally normalize.

Election Security is Assured

Amidst the noise of misinformation, it is vital to highlight the official assurances regarding the security and integrity of the 2024 election. Jen Easterly, Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), released a statement confirming that there was “no evidence of any malicious activity that had a material impact” on the election infrastructure.

This statement from a leading cybersecurity expert reinforces the fact that the election processes are secure and that the focus should remain on allowing election officials to complete their duty of counting every eligible vote. Claims of “missing votes” distract from the reality of a secure election and undermine confidence in democratic processes based on unfounded speculation.

Conclusion: Patience and Trust in the Process

The narrative surrounding “Where Are The 20 Million Votes?” is a prime example of how incomplete information and partisan agendas can fuel election misinformation. The perceived discrepancy is not evidence of fraud, but rather a consequence of comparing early vote counts to final tallies and ignoring the ongoing process of ballot counting, particularly in states with large volumes of mail-in votes.

Instead of jumping to conclusions based on preliminary data, it is essential to exercise patience and trust in the established election procedures. Accusations of missing votes and fraud without evidence are harmful and erode public trust in democracy. The votes are not “missing”; they are being counted. Allowing this process to complete is crucial for ensuring the integrity and perceived legitimacy of the election outcome.