| | | "Elections aren't rigged in America"
Yes, there have been instances in U.S. history where elections were rigged, manipulated, or marred by fraud or suppression—though typically at the local or state level rather than national presidential contests. Here are a few notable examples:
1. Tammany Hall (19th Century New York) - Tammany Hall was a powerful Democratic political machine that used patronage, vote buying, and fraud to control New York City politics. Ballot box stuffing and repeating (voting multiple times) were common.
2. 1876 Presidential Election - The election between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel Tilden was riddled with disputed returns from several states. A backroom deal known as the Compromise of 1877 awarded the presidency to Hayes in exchange for the end of Reconstruction, despite Tilden winning the popular vote.
3. Lyndon B. Johnson's 1948 Senate Primary - LBJ was accused of benefitting from stuffed ballot boxes and fabricated votes in the Texas Democratic primary. A particularly infamous batch of votes from “Box 13” arrived suspiciously late and swung the election in his favor.
4. Chicago 1960 Presidential Election - There have long been allegations (though never definitively proven) that the Chicago Democratic machine, under Mayor Richard J. Daley, manipulated votes to help John F. Kennedy narrowly win Illinois—and thus the presidency.
5. Modern Voter Suppression and Gerrymandering - While not "rigging" in the traditional ballot-stuffing sense, gerrymandering (drawing districts for partisan advantage) and voter suppression tactics (e.g., strict ID laws, purging voter rolls) have been criticized for manipulating electoral outcomes in recent decades.
In summary, while U.S. national elections are generally considered secure today, the country has a long and well-documented history of election rigging and manipulation.
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