American History Hit Episode Summary: "Elections Explained: A History of Rigged Elections"

Release Date: November 4, 2024
Host: Don Wildman
Guest: Brian Klass, Co-Author of "How to Rig an Election" and Associate Professor at University College London

Introduction

In this compelling episode of American History Hit, host Don Wildman delves into the intricate and often sinister world of election rigging with guest Brian Klass, co-author of the newly updated edition of "How to Rig an Election." The discussion centers on how authoritarian leaders manipulate electoral processes to maintain power, the global prevalence of such practices, and the dire consequences they have on democracy.

Defining Free and Fair Elections

Don Wildman opens the conversation by emphasizing the importance of understanding what constitutes a free and fair election. He states:

"[04:29] Brian Klass: ... free and fair election refers to the idea that you are free to choose who you would like to elect, so you don't have your choices given to you. A lot of elections that involve dictators only have one name on the ballot, for example, and that it's fair that there's actually competition."

Brian Klass underscores that free and fair elections are foundational to democracy, where genuine competition allows voters to choose their leaders without manipulation or coercion.

Historical Context and the Evolution of Election Rigging

The episode traces the history of election rigging from ancient times, such as references in Greek mythology, to modern authoritarian regimes. Klass explains:

"[05:36] Brian Klass: ... after World War II in which there's a rise of authoritarian regimes around the world that hold elections simply to validate their powers. These are called one-party elections... They don’t have competition, undermining the core pillar of democracy."

Post-Cold War, the proliferation of multiparty elections seemed to signal a global shift towards democracy. However, Klass points out a paradox:

"[06:00] Brian Klass: ... more elections than there have ever been before in the history of humanity. I mean, this was the year of elections in 2024. And yet the world is consistently getting less democratic."

This paradox highlights that while the frequency of elections has increased, their integrity has often waned due to sophisticated rigging techniques.

Mechanisms of Election Rigging

Vote Buying

Klass details how vote buying remains a pervasive method of election manipulation:

"[12:19] Brian Klass: ... vote buying is literally paying people to vote for you. In places with severe poverty, even small incentives like T-shirts can sway votes."

He shares an ingenious example from Senegal, where the government ensured vote compliance by making access to pop star concerts contingent upon valid voting declarations.

State Violence and Intimidation

Violence is another tool used to suppress opposition:

"[14:35] Brian Klass: ... more than a third of elections in Africa and Asia saw state violence targeting opposition parties and their supporters."

Using the term "shaking the matchbox," Klass describes subtler forms of intimidation designed to avoid international backlash while effectively deterring opposition voters.

Ballot Manipulation and Innovative Tactics

One of the most audacious methods discussed involves manipulating ballot integrity:

"[35:25] Brian Klass: ... in the Ukrainian presidential election of 2004, opposition ballots were rendered blank using disappearing ink, nullifying their votes without immediate detection."

This episode underscores the lengths to which authoritarian regimes will go to ensure electoral outcomes favor incumbents, often leaving the international community powerless to respond.

Case Studies of Rigged Elections

Oleg Sergeyev in Russia

Klass recounts the 1998 local election in St. Petersburg, where multiple candidates with the same name confused voters:

"[20:25] Brian Klass: ... recruited two other candidates named Oleg Sergeyev. Voters, unable to distinguish between them, split their votes, ensuring his loss."

In subsequent elections, the regime took this further by making candidates physically identical, making it nearly impossible for voters to choose correctly.

Madagascar's 2006 Election

In Madagascar, Klass explains how President Marc Ravalomanana manipulated the electoral process to exclude his main opponent:

"[23:55] Brian Klass: ... changed the law requiring in-person filing, repeatedly denying his opponent access by closing airspace, ensuring the rival couldn't register and thus steering the election outcome."

This manipulation remained legally compliant yet entirely illegitimate, highlighting the challenges in distinguishing lawful acts from covert rigging.

Gerrymandering: The Invisible Rigging

Don Wildman brings the discussion to the United States, focusing on gerrymandering—a practice that distorts electoral fairness through strategic districting.

"[26:05] Brian Klass: ... gerrymandering is allowing politicians to pick their voters rather than voters picking their politicians. This results in many uncompetitive districts where elections are decided far in advance."

Klass shares alarming statistics:

"[26:35] Brian Klass: ... in the 2016 U.S. House elections, the average margin of victory was 37.1%, meaning most races were decided by a landslide, eliminating genuine competition."

He emphasizes that gerrymandering erodes democracy by removing the incentive for politicians to appeal to a broad electorate, thereby fostering polarization and toxic politics.

Impacts on Democracy

The manipulation of elections has profound effects on democratic institutions and public trust. Klass warns:

"[09:27] Brian Klass: ... there's a lot of cynicism set in motion by these practices, leading to diminished trust in even the most robust democracies, including the United States."

Don Wildman reflects on the post-Cold War optimism that has since been undermined by these persistent rigging tactics, creating a narrative where democracy is under constant threat from within.

Solutions and Hope for the Future

Despite the grim outlook, Klass remains cautiously optimistic, suggesting several strategies to combat election rigging:

1. Technology and Transparency: Implementing secure ballot box measures, such as barcode-verified zip ties to prevent tampering.
2. Citizen Empowerment: Utilizing apps and social media to monitor and report discrepancies in vote counts.
3. Independent Redistricting Commissions: Removing politicians from the districting process to ensure unbiased electoral maps.
4. Global Standards: The United States setting a gold standard for election integrity internationally to influence other nations positively.
5. Public Engagement: Encouraging voter participation and education to rebuild trust in democratic processes.

"[37:34] Brian Klass: ... demand that elections are of good quality, starting with setting an example in the United States where, aside from gerrymandering, elections are relatively well-run."

Don Wildman echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement and the collective effort needed to restore faith in democracy.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage actively in the democratic process, whether through voting, volunteering as election officers, or advocating for electoral reforms. Don Wildman thanks Brian Klass for his invaluable insights and encourages the audience to remain vigilant in protecting the integrity of elections worldwide.

"[40:28] Don Wildman: ... educate ourselves, strengthen our bonds to democratic institutions, volunteer to be a voting officer... everybody needs to vote."

Brian Klass shares his optimism for a democratic resurgence, contingent on sustained efforts to demand and implement fair electoral practices.

Final Thoughts

"Elections Explained: A History of Rigged Elections" offers a thorough examination of the myriad ways elections can be manipulated, the historical and contemporary examples of such practices, and the urgent need for reforms to safeguard democracy. Through engaging dialogue and expert analysis, this episode serves as a crucial reminder of the fragility of democratic institutions and the continuous vigilance required to preserve their integrity.

Notable Quotes:

• "[04:29] Brian Klass: ... free and fair election refers to the idea that you are free to choose who you would like to elect..."

• "[14:53] Brian Klass: ... called shaking the matchbox... walk through the neighborhoods shaking a matchbox to threaten voters."

• "[20:25] Brian Klass: ... recruited two other candidates named Oleg Sergeyev. Voters, unable to distinguish between them, split their votes, ensuring his loss."

• "[26:05] Brian Klass: ... gerrymandering is allowing politicians to pick their voters rather than voters picking their politicians."

About the Authors:

• Don Wildman is the host of American History Hit, exploring pivotal moments in American history to shed light on contemporary issues.
• Brian Klass is co-author of "How to Rig an Election," a thought-provoking examination of electoral manipulation. He contributes to The Atlantic and serves as an associate professor at University College London.

Further Listening:

For those intrigued by this discussion, consider exploring other episodes of American History Hit, as well as related shows like Dan Snow’s History Hit, Not Just The Tudors, and Betwixt the Sheets available on the History Hit network.