Election Questions Leave US Distrustful, Like Other Nations

WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans' enduring confidence that their elections are unimpeachably fair is teetering.

Welcome to what much of the world calls reality — especially Russia's neighbors.

The United States promotes its popular votes and peaceful transitions as examples of democratic vigor.

Elsewhere, elections results often entail a hint or heavy dose of suspicion. Ballots are rigged regularly. Level playing fields are rare. Bigger powers sometimes meddle in the sovereign political processes of smaller countries.

The CIA's recent accusation that Russia helped Republican Donald Trump in last month's presidential election doesn't put the U.S. in the same boat.

But it adds to a broader fear for the United States that what was an anomaly in 2000 could start becoming the norm: Elections that don't produce presidents recognized by one and all.