First Advisor

Richard Clucas

Date of Award

Winter 3-15-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science and University Honors

Department

Politics and Global Affairs

Language

English

Subjects

Elections, Democracy, Denialism, Law, Voting, Voter ID

DOI

10.15760/honors.1830

Abstract

Current President of the United States, Donald Trump interrupted the peaceful transfer for power for the first time in 250 years. In the typical study of the events surrounding this interruption, much focus is made on the events of the January 6th Capitol Riot. Firstly, this thesis examines the 2 months in the leadup to the 2020 election and how the Trump administration acquired and attempted to execute their plans to commit a self-coup, keeping the administration in power in the face of the election victory and transition to the Presidency of election-winner, Joe Biden. Secondarily, it will contextualize and synthesize the numerous bits of information floating around to create a singular story that serves to communicate the gravity of the attempt to stop the peaceful transfer of power in the United States while disproving the idea of the main election fraud theory promulgated by the administration with academic studies regarding the prevalence of voter fraud. Finally, it examines the impacts on voting behavior and trust of electoral systems as a result of denialism rhetoric. Donald Trump, through his constant public rhetoric, inadvertently negatively impacted the voting behavior of not just Republican voters, but of the general electorate. The primary relevance of this examination is that the story might not be over yet, the main culprit behind this attempt is back in the Presidency and is now equipped with the lessons of failure in the last attempt to steal. Armed with those who would not question his loyalty unlike during his first term, Donald Trump could be poised to do it again, except in a manner that could garner much more success.

Persistent Identifier

https://archives.pdx.edu/ds/psu/44763

Download

Share

COinS