We're going to be subjected to all sorts of gaslighting about the legitimacy of the election.

Let's be clear: while US election infrastructure is far from perfect. there is no credible evidence (none, nada, zero, zip) that the 2020 outcome in any state was affected by fraud.

Here's what experts (all of whom have been critical of US election security and would LOVE to find evidence of fraud) said: https://www.mattblaze.org/papers/election2020.pdf

Election security is complex and there is much work left to be done. Here's a terrific primer: https://www.nap.edu/catalog/25120/securing-the-vote-protecting-american-democracy

The best way to secure the integrity of the vote is the use of paper ballots and rigorous post-election audits. Fortunately, some states (including many of the "swing" states) have upgraded their systems and processes to do just that. But there is still much work to do.

Do you want to help ensure we have secure, free, fair elections? I know you do! The best way I know of is to call your local election office and inquire about becoming a poll worker or election judge. You'll learn a TON, you'll meet your neighbors, and perform a critical service.

One of my worst nightmares for election security has always been bad actors casting doubt on the legitimacy of an election to prevent the true winners from governing.

We came perilously close to that happening this time, partly due to widespread ignorance of how elections work.

The "evidence" presented that the election was fraudulent, while voluminous, was laughably silly. And that was obvious to anyone who works in the field. Unfortunately, it was easy for those not steeped in voting security to be taken in by nonsense.

Knowledge is the only defense.

Maintaining the fiction that the election was rigged, despite overwhelming evidence that contradicts it, is critically important to the insurrectionists and their supporters. This lie is their only moral justification for starting a riot that killed at least 5 people.

So I expect that we will see the "rigged election" claim and the bogus evidence that supposedly supports it repeated and amplified more and more in the coming weeks. Despite the inauguration of a new president, this is not over yet.