MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ19) – Steven Nelson has been studying election history and processes for well over 10 years. He says concerns about voting security have increased since the 2020 election, but says the system we have in place prevents any fraud that could change the results of an election. Nelson says in general Midterm Elections have a lower turnout than presidential elections.
Steven Nelson, Political Science Professor Emeritus, “Is there voter fraud that would have an impact on the elections? No, there is just no proof of that.
The Michigan Secretary of State released new numbers today, showing 2 million Michigan voters have requested absentee ballots… a 73% increase in the number requested one week before the 2018 election. 1.1 million have already returned their absentee ballot. The increase in absentee voting in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic became one of the central points of concern for some voters… leading some to wonder if all the votes were legitimate.
Nelson says the rhetoric surrounding voter fraud has some worried whether their vote will count.
Steven Nelson, “it’s a tactic that worked, there is a lot of people that kind of feel, why should i even vote, there is no integrity to the voting process you know, it’s going to be stolen by whoever wants it anyway.”
Former President Trump has many of his followers have continued to insist he won the 2020 election… stoking fears of what they believe will be a repeat scenario in this upcoming election. But Nelson says statements of widespread voter fraud have little validity when there is no evidence to back up the allegations.
Steven Nelson, “I don’t think the election was stolen, I don’t think there was significant voter fraud or any level close to voter fraud, so yes your vote will count.”
The Midterm Election comes with a big line up for the nation, with all 435 U.S. House members up for re-election, as well as 35 U.S. Senate seats.
Nelson says each vote will count in deciding who will control Congress.