Is voter fraud a problem in the US?

Short answer: It exists, but proven voter fraud in the U.S. is rare and typically not outcome‑changing in statewide or national races.

What the evidence shows

•Overall incidence: Multiple reviews of U.S. elections have found fraud rates on the order of thousandths of a percent (about 0.0003%–0.0025%).[1]

•In‑person voter‑impersonation (the type targeted by strict ID rules) is especially uncommon: one well‑known review identified 31 credible cases out of more than 1 billion ballots (2000–2014).[2]

•2020 scrutiny: An Associated Press review across six battleground states found fewer than 475 potential cases out of more than 25 million votes—far too few to change outcomes.[3]

•By‑mail risks: Data from three universal vote‑by‑mail states found about 372 possible double/deceased‑voting cases out of 14.6 million mailed ballots in 2016–2018 (≈0.0025%).[4]

Real cases do occur—and are prosecuted

•Example: North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District (2018) saw an absentee‑ballot scheme serious enough that the state ordered a new election.[5]

•Conservative researchers maintain a running database of prosecuted cases nationwide, illustrating that fraud happens but on a small scale relative to total votes.[6]

Safeguards and checks

•Post‑election audits (including risk‑limiting audits) and recounts are now common; federal and state officials reported the 2020 election as the most secure to date, and audits like Georgia’s statewide hand audit confirmed reported results.[7]

Bottom line: Voter fraud is a real but infrequent problem. It can matter in a very close local race, which is why detection, prosecution, and routine audits are important—but the best available data show it has not been widespread enough to alter high‑profile statewide or national outcomes.[3]

If you’d like, tell me your state and I can summarize recent cases, safeguards, and audit practices where you vote.

Citations (7)

1brennancenter.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Debunking the Voter Fraud Myth | Brennan Center for Justice
Backs: “Multiple reviews of U.S. elections have found fraud rates on the order of thousandths of a percent (about 0.0003%–0.0025%).”
2washingtonpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
A comprehensive investigation of voter impersonation finds 31 credible incidents out of one billion ballots cast - The Washington Post
Backs: “In‑person voter‑impersonation (the type targeted by strict ID rules) is especially uncommon: one well‑known review identified 31 credible cases out of more than 1 billion ballots (2000–2014).”
3pbs.orgNews and mediaquality 0.87
AP review finds far too little vote fraud to tip 2020 election to Trump | PBS News
Backs: “An Associated Press review across six battleground states found fewer than 475 potential cases out of more than 25 million votes—far too few to change outcomes.”
4washingtonpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
The truth about election fraud: It’s rare - The Washington Post
Backs: “Data from three universal vote‑by‑mail states found about 372 possible double/deceased‑voting cases out of 14.6 million mailed ballots in 2016–2018 (≈0.0025%).”
5ncsbe.govGovernment
State Board unanimously orders new election in 9th Congressional District | NCSBE
Backs: “North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District (2018) saw an absentee‑ballot scheme serious enough that the state ordered a new election.”
6heritage.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Heritage Database | Election Fraud Map | The Heritage Foundation
Backs: “Conservative researchers maintain a running database of prosecuted cases nationwide, illustrating that fraud happens but on a small scale relative to total votes.”
7eac.govGovernment
Election Audits Across the United States | U.S. Election Assistance Commission
Backs: “Post‑election audits (including risk‑limiting audits) and recounts are now common; federal and state officials reported the 2020 election as the most secure to date, and audits like Georgia’s statewide hand audit confirmed reported results.”