New research published in the journal Political Behavior provides evidence that high-profile claims of electoral fraud, like those made by Donald Trump after the 2020 presidential election, can discourage voter participation—but only temporarily. The study examined Georgia’s 2021 Senate runoff elections and found a modest drop in turnout among Trump supporters. These effects, however, were short-lived, with turnout returning to normal in subsequent elections. The researchers aimed to explore whether claims of electoral fraud and misconduct, especially those made by political elites, can influence voter turnout. This question has gained importance following the 2020 U.S. presidential election, where Trump and his allies mounted an extensive and well-publicized campaign alleging fraud, despite a lack of evidence. These claims raised concerns about the potential for such misinformation to undermine public confidence in elections and, ultimately, democratic participation. The viability of democracy relies on shared trust in election integrity, and this study sought to understand whether elite claims of fraud might discourage voters from participating in elections. The researchers were specifically interested in how these allegations impacted the …