Is voter fraud a problem in the US?
Short answer: documented voter fraud in the United States is rare, and not at levels shown to affect national election outcomes. Studies of in‑person voter impersonation — the kind voter ID targets — found just 31 credible cases out of more than 1 billion ballots cast from 2000–2014.[1]
After the 2020 election, the U.S. Department of Justice under Attorney General William Barr said on December 1, 2020 it had found no evidence of fraud on a scale that could have changed the presidential result, and federal/state election‑security officials stated on November 12, 2020 that the 2020 vote was the “most secure in American history.”[2]
That said, fraud and misconduct do occur in isolated cases and can matter in close local races. Two examples:
Even sources that emphasize risks document relatively small numbers over long periods. The Heritage Foundation’s public database lists roughly fifteen hundred “proven” cases accumulated over decades nationwide — a sampling of varied offenses (e.g., double voting, fraudulent registrations, absentee‑ballot abuses) — a tiny figure relative to the hundreds of millions of votes cast in that span.[5]
Bottom line: voter fraud exists but is infrequent; strong safeguards (paper ballots, post‑election audits, signature/ID checks for absentee ballots, and law‑enforcement follow‑up) make large‑scale fraud hard to carry out undetected. If you’d like, tell me your state and I can summarize its specific safeguards and any notable recent cases.[6]
Citations (6)
- A comprehensive investigation of voter impersonation finds 31 credible incidents out of one billion ballots cast - The Washington Post
Backs: “Studies of in‑person voter impersonation — the kind voter ID targets — found just 31 credible cases out of more than 1 billion ballots cast from 2000–2014.”
- In exclusive AP interview, AG Barr says no evidence of widespread election fraud, undermining Trump | The Associated Press
Backs: “Department of Justice under Attorney General William Barr said on December 1, 2020 it had found no evidence of fraud on a scale that could have changed the presidential result, and federal/state election‑security officials stated on November 12, 2020 that the 2020 vote was the “most secure in American history.””
- State Board unanimously orders new election in 9th Congressional District | NCSBE
Backs: “North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District (2018): the State Board of Elections unanimously ordered a new election after uncovering a coordinated absentee‑ballot scheme.”
- Judge orders new Bridgeport mayoral primary after surveillance videos show possible ballot stuffing – NBC Connecticut
Backs: “Bridgeport, Connecticut (2023): a judge ordered a new Democratic mayoral primary on November 1, 2023 after surveillance videos showed mishandling of absentee ballots.”
- Heritage Database | Election Fraud Map | The Heritage Foundation
Backs: “The Heritage Foundation’s public database lists roughly fifteen hundred “proven” cases accumulated over decades nationwide — a sampling of varied offenses (e.g., double voting, fraudulent registrations, absentee‑ballot abuses) — a tiny figure relative to the hundreds of millions of votes cast in that span.”
- DHS panel says 2020 vote was 'most secure in American history' - Nextgov/FCW
Backs: “If you’d like, tell me your state and I can summarize its specific safeguards and any notable recent cases.”