Fact check: What evidence has been presented regarding potential 2025 election tampering?

1. Summary of the results

The evidence regarding potential 2025 election tampering falls into several distinct categories:

Dismantling of Election Security Infrastructure

The Trump administration has systematically dismantled key components of the election security network established over the past eight years ^[1]. This includes the layoffs of 130 CISA staffers and the disbanding of the FBI's Foreign Influence Task Force, which has raised significant concerns among state officials about protecting against future threats ^[1]. Additionally, the elimination of funding for the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EI-ISAC) has compromised election offices' ability to defend against cyber threats ^[2].

Project 2025 Implementation

Evidence shows that Project 2025, a comprehensive plan to overhaul the executive branch, is being implemented to potentially interfere with election integrity ^{[3] [4]}. This initiative aims to criminalize voting, interfere with election administration, decrease election security, and weaken the fight against election misinformation ^[4]. The plan specifically targets tech companies, researchers, and civil society groups that work to address election misinformation ^[3].

Documented Irregularities and Legal Challenges

A lawsuit has been filed over voting discrepancies in Rockland County, New York, where statistical anomalies in election results have been identified, though experts caution these irregularities don't necessarily indicate wrongdoing ^[5]. A non-partisan government election security organization filed this lawsuit due to incorrect vote counts, raising concerns about election process integrity ^[6].

Intimidation Tactics

The administration has employed executive actions and public threats to target those who help others exercise their right to vote, described as attempts to "instill fear and chill future efforts to safeguard elections" ^[7].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Limited Scale of Documented Fraud

While concerns about tampering exist, evidence shows only isolated cases of noncitizen voting with no indication of widespread conspiracy or large-scale election tampering ^[8]. One debunked claim from Orange County, California involved a video that purported to show ballots being counted multiple times, but was actually a poll worker re-scanning ballots after scanner rejections ^[9].

Beneficiaries of Different Narratives

• Trump administration officials and Project 2025 architects benefit from dismantling election security infrastructure as it reduces oversight and accountability mechanisms that could challenge their authority
• State election officials and cybersecurity professionals benefit from maintaining robust election security networks as it preserves their roles and funding
• Civil society organizations and researchers focused on election integrity benefit from highlighting these concerns as it supports their mission and potentially increases their funding and influence

Conflicting Interpretations

The same evidence is interpreted differently: some view the dismantling of election security infrastructure as streamlining government efficiency, while others see it as deliberate sabotage of democratic processes. The statistical anomalies in Rockland County are viewed by some as natural variations and by others as evidence of systematic manipulation.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral and appropriately framed, asking for evidence rather than making claims. However, the framing could potentially:

• Assume tampering has occurred by asking specifically about "evidence of tampering" rather than "evidence regarding election integrity concerns"
• Lack temporal specificity - it's unclear whether the question refers to tampering that has already occurred in 2025 elections or preparations for future tampering

The question does not exhibit obvious bias toward any particular political viewpoint, as it seeks factual evidence rather than promoting a specific narrative about election integrity or fraud.