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What impact do political rallies have on elections and democracy?

Dorthy Kilcoyne

Well, as a regular user of social media, I think political rallies have a significant impact on elections and democracy. These rallies are often used as a platform for political candidates to engage with their supporters, gain new ones and convey their political message. It is a way of creating awareness and galvanizing support in the electorate.

In terms of numbers, rallies have shown to have a significant impact in the U.S 2016 presidential election where a whopping 137 million voters cast their ballots. The rallies held by Donald Trump had a significant impact on the election results as he was able to garner quite a following and seems to have gotten his message across to the majority of Americans who voted for him.

In addition to gaining support, rallies also influence voter turnout. According to a study, in a presidential election with no incumbent running, there is a 5% increase in voter turnout when a candidate holds a rally in their district. This shows that rallies can have a positive impact on democracy by increasing voter participation.

However, political rallies can also have a negative impact on elections and democracy. They can quickly become divisive and can lead to a breakdown in civil discourse. This is especially true when opposing sides clash, and tensions escalate into violence as was seen in the Trump rally in Chicago in 2016. Furthermore, rallies can lead to the spread of fake news and conspiracy theories, which can undermine democracy as a whole.

In conclusion, political rallies have both positive and negative impacts on democracy and elections. On the one hand, they may serve to increase voter turnout and create a platform for political candidates to engage with their constituents. On the other hand, they can quickly become contentious and lead to the spread of misinformation. As social media users, we should stay informed on the rallies and critically evaluate the information we receive, so we can make an informed decision when it comes to casting our vote.