‘Civil war’: Americans brace for violence ahead of election results
As Americans head to the polls in the most consequential election of their lives, they almost universally fear their country could fail to ensure the stability of its very foundation: the peaceful transfer of power.
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America likes to think of itself as the world’s greatest democracy.
But as Americans head to the polls in the most consequential election of their lives, they almost universally fear their country could fail to ensure the stability of its very foundation: the peaceful transfer of power.
This is alarmingly clear in the numbers. Three-quarters of voters think violence will be used to try and overturn the results. One in four believe civil war is likely. Some 12 per cent know someone who might take up arms if they think the election is stolen from Donald Trump, and five per cent know someone who could do the same if they think Kamala Harris is cheated.
As Americans flocked to the polls on Tuesday, more than 100 leading legal professionals signed an open letter calling on any lawyers who may file suits challenging the results to stick closely to the facts at hand.
Multiple lawsuits have already been filed over accusations of voter fraud during the early voting period.
“As past presidents of state, local and national bar associations, this flurry of litigation compels us to remind the profession and the public: The courtroom is not a theater for unsubstantiated claims,” the letter reads.
“Filing election-related lawsuits without a solid factual and legal foundation endangers the very institutions lawyers are oathbound to defend. In a functioning democracy, lawsuits are not weapons to spread distrust—they are tools for justice.”
The open letter comes as the violence began early on the morning of election day.
Tough security measures are in place to protect election officials after a Georgia poll worker was arrested for making bomb threats to colleagues.
A voter in Illinois was charged with punching an election judge.
Meanwhile, intelligence agencies have warned of an unprecedented disinformation campaign by foreign adversaries.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said the bomb threats which briefly closed polling at two locations in his state originated in Russia.
“We’ve heard some threats that were of Russian origin,” Mr Raffensperger said.
Mr Raffensperger said even though the threats turned out to be “non-credible” it was important they were taken seriously.
“In the interest of public safety, we always check that out, and we’ll just continue to be very responsible when we hear about stuff like that.”
It comes as Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson called a press conference on Tuesday to warn voters to be vigilant for the misinformation being circulated by “foreign bad actors”.
“Don’t fall for it,” Ms Benson said.
“We know that they will use all sorts of misinformation and other tactics today and in the days ahead to create chaos, confusion, fear, division and sow seeds of doubt about what is a very clear, transparent and secure election process.”
Ms Benson made the comments after unfounded social media posts went viral suggesting election interference was at play in Michigan - a key swing state with 15 electoral college votes.
“Once we hear something — and we’re monitoring everything that’s posted online — we actually physically go to those locations and see what’s going on,” Ms Benson said.
“We have yet to see anything actually materialize, anything that’s been alleged online as an irregularity actually be true.”
Regardless of their political affiliation, ordinary Americans are anxious, afraid, even angry. And so as windows are boarded up and troops are placed on standby, the people who will decide this election are similarly bracing themselves for what lies ahead.
It has already been a campaign wracked with violence. Had Mr Trump not turned his head to look at a graph about immigration during a rally in July, the former president would almost certainly have been killed by a 20-year-old assassin’s bullet.
He also escaped a second attempt on his life, as well as an Iranian plot to take him out. It does not bear thinking about what would have happened had these evil efforts succeeded.
Four years ago, however, it was Mr Trump himself who incited violence that shocked the US.
The Republican refused to accept he was beaten by Joe Biden. For two months, he challenged the results, first through the legal channels, and then in what prosecutors in multiple states have since alleged was a criminal conspiracy.
This culminated on January 6, 2021, the day the US Congress was to certify the election. Mr Trump told his supporters to “fight like hell” – and they did. Thousands stormed the Capitol, assaulting police, threatening lawmakers and halting the transfer of power.
The former president has since tried to rewrite the history of January 6. He says it was a “love fest” and a “beautiful thing”, and those convicted and jailed are “hostages” and “political prisoners” who he will pardon and release if he returns to power.
Now, Mr Trump appears to be setting himself to contest this year’s results, should he end up failing to win a race that long appeared to be his to lose. His supporters believe him.
“If everything is done properly, there’s no possible way (Ms Harris) could win. But we’re already seeing a lot of cheating,” says Republican Jim Alter, a pastor from rural Ohio.
“I don’t want there to be a civil war, I don’t want there to be violence and uprising. But we need Republicans to fight on the legal battlefield. I don’t think any thinking person wants any kind of violence. But I wouldn’t count it out.”
This “scares the crap” out of Tina Demnicki, a Democrat from Delaware.
“Last time nearly killed me – I don’t know if I can go through that again,” she says.
It worries Wisconsin dairy farmer Daniel Diederich too. The swinging voter is no fan of Ms Harris, but he is supporting her because he thinks the events of January 6 are disqualifying.
“He’s done some serious damage to democracy in our nation by undermining people’s belief that our system is fair,” he says.
“I think there’s a zero per cent chance that Trump concedes, even if it’s a blowout.”
The Republican Party is far more prepared to contest the results now than it was four years ago. It has already lodged at least 130 lawsuits, having abandoned its get-out-the-vote effort for a protect-the-vote operation with 200,000 poll watchers and hundreds of lawyers.
Election law expert David Becker says that if Mr Trump is defeated, there is no doubt he will kick off a series of legal challenges, regardless of whether he has evidence of fraud or not.
Dana Remus, who heads the Democratic Party’s legal team, says they are ready to respond. She points out Mr Trump lost more than 60 times in court after 2020.
“The 2024 election will be free, fair and secure. Americans decide who the president is,” she says.
In the meantime, authorities are prepared for anything. Election officials have gone through active shooter training, been armed with panic buttons and given quick escape routes.
In West Palm Beach and in Washington DC, where Mr Trump and Ms Harris will hold their respective election night events, massive security fences have been installed. And come January 6, the US Capitol will receive the highest possible level of protection.
But even before the votes were counted, some extremists were already plotting a revolt.
“The day is fast approaching when fence sitting will no longer be possible,” a member of the Proud Boys – the far-right group that was part of the Capitol riot – said on Telegram.
Those collecting and counting the ballots are pleading for peace and patience. They are adamant they will ensure a free and fair election, even if it takes a few nerve-racking days.
Delays are especially likely in Pennsylvania, the most important battleground state up for grabs.
And so on election eve in Philadelphia, the state’s biggest city, district attorney Larry Krasner offered a less diplomatic warning to those contemplating causing chaos.
“Anybody who thinks it’s time to play militia, F around and find out,” he said.
“We do have the cuffs, we do have the jail cells, we do have the Philly juries and we have the state prisons … If you’re going to try to bully people, bully votes or voters, if you’re going to try to erase votes, if you’re going to try any of that nonsense, F around and find out.”
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