Short answer: Yes, but not in the way most people imagine.
What the evidence shows
•Verified cases exist every year, but they are rare and typically small‑scale. For example, a comprehensive review found just 31 credible cases of in‑person voter impersonation out of more than 1 billion ballots cast from 2000–2014.[1]
•After the 2020 election, an Associated Press review in six closely contested states found fewer than 475 potential fraud cases out of 25.5 million ballots—far too few to change outcomes. Multiple audits and court rulings likewise found no evidence of outcome‑changing fraud.[2]
•Federal, state, and local election security officials (via CISA and its partners) said on November 12, 2020, that the election was the “most secure in American history.”[3]
Real but usually local
•Fraud and other illegal election conduct do sometimes affect individual contests—usually local. Notable examples include:
•North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District (2018), where officials uncovered a coordinated absentee‑ballot scheme and ordered a new election.[4]
•Bridgeport, Connecticut (2023–24), where a judge ordered a new mayoral primary after surveillance videos showed mishandling of absentee ballots.[5]
•The Heritage Foundation maintains a database of proven fraud cases (convictions, overturned results, etc.). It shows that while fraud occurs across many categories (registration fraud, absentee‑ballot offenses, vote buying, etc.), these cases are scattered and numerically small relative to total votes cast.[6]
Safeguards in place
•All 50 states now require some form of post‑election audit; a growing number require risk‑limiting audits (RLAs), a statistically rigorous check that can detect and correct incorrect outcomes. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission provides standards and guidance used by state and local officials.[7]
Bottom line
•Voter/election fraud in the U.S. is not zero—but the best available data and court records show it is uncommon and rarely affects statewide or national results. Maintaining strong safeguards, investigating allegations, and auditing results are what keep it that way.[1]
If you want, tell me your state and I can summarize recent cases, safeguards, and audit practices where you vote.
Backs: “For example, a comprehensive review found just 31 credible cases of in‑person voter impersonation out of more than 1 billion ballots cast from 2000–2014.”
Backs: “Federal, state, and local election security officials (via CISA and its partners) said on November 12, 2020, that the election was the “most secure in American history.””
Backs: “North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District (2018), where officials uncovered a coordinated absentee‑ballot scheme and ordered a new election.”
Backs: “Bridgeport, Connecticut (2023–24), where a judge ordered a new mayoral primary after surveillance videos showed mishandling of absentee ballots.”
Backs: “It shows that while fraud occurs across many categories (registration fraud, absentee‑ballot offenses, vote buying, etc.), these cases are scattered and numerically small relative to total votes cast.”