Is voter fraud a problem in the US?

Short answer: Evidence from audits, court cases, and studies shows that voter fraud in the United States is rare and not a systemic problem. It does occur occasionally, usually at small scale, and has affected a few close local races.

What the evidence shows

•Comprehensive reviews after the 2020 election found only a tiny number of potential fraud cases. An Associated Press analysis identified about 475 potential cases across six closely watched states—far too few to affect outcomes.[1]

•Federal, state, and local election-security officials said the 2020 election was the “most secure in American history,” and multiple audits and court cases in places like Maricopa County, Arizona, confirmed accurate results.[2]

•Noncitizen voting in federal and state elections is illegal and research finds it to be vanishingly rare.[3]

Real—but isolated—fraud cases

•North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District race (2018) was invalidated due to a coordinated absentee-ballot scheme; a new election was ordered.[4]

•Paterson, New Jersey (2020) saw mail‑in ballot tampering that led a judge to order a new city council election and state prosecutors to bring charges.[5]

•Bridgeport, Connecticut (2023) had absentee‑ballot abuses caught on video; a judge overturned the mayoral primary and ordered a new election.[6]

Safeguards and context

•U.S. elections use layered safeguards—paper ballots, signature/ID checks (varies by state), secure ballot handling, and post‑election audits—which help detect and deter fraud. Independent audits in places like Maricopa County reported no evidence of equipment tampering or “vote switching.”[7]

•Mail voting, used widely for years in several states, has built‑in security features; documented fraud rates in these systems are extremely low.[8]

Bottom line: Voter fraud exists but is uncommon and typically localized. The much larger, proven story in recent cycles is that the system’s checks—audits, investigations, and courts—have caught issues and, when necessary, led to do‑overs, while showing no evidence of widespread fraud in national results.[1]

Citations (8)

1ap.orgNews and mediaquality 0.69
Powered by facts: AP investigation undercuts Trump voter fraud claims, prompts rare interview | The Associated Press
Backs: “An Associated Press analysis identified about 475 potential cases across six closely watched states—far too few to affect outcomes.”
2nased.orgNot yet classified
Joint Statement from Elections Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council and Sector Coordinating Council Executive Committees — NASED
Backs: “Federal, state, and local election-security officials said the 2020 election was the “most secure in American history,” and multiple audits and court cases in places like Maricopa County, Arizona, confirmed accurate results.”
3brennancenter.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Noncitizen Voting Is Already Illegal — and Vanishingly Rare | Brennan Center for Justice
Backs: “Noncitizen voting in federal and state elections is illegal and research finds it to be vanishingly rare.”
4ncsbe.govGovernment
State Board unanimously orders new election in 9th Congressional District | NCSBE
Backs: “North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District race (2018) was invalidated due to a coordinated absentee-ballot scheme; a new election was ordered.”
5wral.comNews and mediaquality 0.88
Judge invalidates Paterson, NJ, city council election after allegations of mail-in voter fraud :: WRAL.com
Backs: “Paterson, New Jersey (2020) saw mail‑in ballot tampering that led a judge to order a new city council election and state prosecutors to bring charges.”
6ctpublic.orgNot yet classified
CT judge overturns results of Bridgeport mayoral primary, just days before election | Connecticut Public
Backs: “Bridgeport, Connecticut (2023) had absentee‑ballot abuses caught on video; a judge overturned the mayoral primary and ordered a new election.”
7maricopa.govGovernment
Auditing Elections Equipment In Maricopa County | Maricopa County, AZ
Backs: “Independent audits in places like Maricopa County reported no evidence of equipment tampering or “vote switching.””
8brennancenter.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Mail Ballot Security Features: A Primer | Brennan Center for Justice
Backs: “Mail voting, used widely for years in several states, has built‑in security features; documented fraud rates in these systems are extremely low.”