Explaining Loss and Victory: How Local Parties Explain Election Outcomes

• In Event: State & Local Parties in Transition: New Structures, Technologies, and Coalitions

Abstract

In the days after the 2020 election, Donald Trump and his supporters worked to undermine the legitimacy of election results. Their claims were picked up by Republican activists across the country. At the same time, Democrats struggled to explain an underwhelming victory. We explore how local parties explain election outcomes through social media posts, paying close attention to how local Republican parties explained the presidential loss by casting doubt on democratic institutions. The latter is especially important given the erosion of democratic norms and decreasing trust in government.

Authors

• Lee Hannah, Wright State University

• Kevin Reuning, Miami University

• Anne Whitesell, Miami University