Is voter fraud a problem in the US?

Short answer: In the United States, documented voter fraud exists but is rare, typically involving isolated, small‑scale cases—not the kind of widespread, outcome‑changing fraud sometimes alleged.

What the best evidence shows

•Scope: Reviews consistently find very few cases relative to hundreds of millions of ballots cast. For example, a Washington Post analysis notes only 31 credible cases of in‑person voter impersonation across more than 1 billion ballots from 2000–2014.[1]

•2020 review: An Associated Press canvass of six battleground states identified 473 potential fraud cases out of more than 25 million votes—about 0.15% of Biden’s combined victory margin there.[2]

•Even critics who track fraud show small numbers: The Heritage Foundation’s own database catalogs proven election‑related offenses nationwide across many years; a 2025 Brookings review of that database counted about 1,605 cases over 12 years (roughly 134 per year), still a minute fraction of total votes.[3]

Authoritative assessments of recent elections

•Federal and state election‑security officials said the November 3, 2020 election was the “most secure in American history,” citing no evidence that voting systems changed or lost votes.[4]

•The U.S. Department of Justice under Attorney General William Barr said on December 1, 2020 it had not found evidence of fraud on a scale that could change the presidential outcome.[5]

When fraud has mattered

•Rare, targeted schemes have forced do‑overs in close contests, such as the 2018 North Carolina 9th Congressional District race (absentee‑ballot scheme) and the 1997 Miami mayoral race (absentee‑ballot fraud). These were exceptional and localized.[6]

Safeguards in place

•States use pre‑ and post‑election checks—voter list maintenance, signature/ID checks where required, paper ballots in most places, public canvasses, and audits (including risk‑limiting audits). As of 2026, every state has enacted a post‑election audit law; the U.S. Election Assistance Commission also certifies voting systems against federal security standards.[7]

Bottom line: Voter fraud is not a major, systemic problem in U.S. elections. It does occur occasionally and can affect very close local races, which is why safeguards and audits exist and continue to expand.[8]

If you’d like, I can break down common types of fraud (e.g., double voting, noncitizen voting, absentee manipulation) and what specific safeguards your state uses.

Citations (8)

1washingtonpost.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: “For example, a Washington Post analysis notes only 31 credible cases of in‑person voter impersonation across more than 1 billion ballots from 2000–2014.”
2ap.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 canvass of six battleground states identified 473 potential fraud cases out of more than 25 million votes—about 0.15% of Biden’s combined victory margin there.”
3heritage.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Heritage Database | Election Fraud Map: Categories of Election Fraud | The Heritage Foundation
Backs: “The Heritage Foundation’s own database catalogs proven election‑related offenses nationwide across many years; a 2025 Brookings review of that database counted about 1,605 cases over 12 years (roughly 134 per year), still a minute fraction of total votes.”
4workers.devNot yet classified
Joint Statement from Elections Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council & the Election Infrastructure Sector Coordinating Executive Committees | CISA
Backs: “Federal and state election‑security officials said the November 3, 2020 election was the “most secure in American history,” citing no evidence that voting systems changed or lost votes.”
5washingtonpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
Barr: No evidence of election fraud that would swing the race for Trump - The Washington Post
Backs: “Department of Justice under Attorney General William Barr said on December 1, 2020 it had not found evidence of fraud on a scale that could change the presidential outcome.”
6ncsbe.govGovernment
State Board unanimously orders new election in 9th Congressional District | NCSBE
Backs: “Rare, targeted schemes have forced do‑overs in close contests, such as the 2018 North Carolina 9th Congressional District race (absentee‑ballot scheme) and the 1997 Miami mayoral race (absentee‑ballot fraud). These were exceptional and localized.”
7ncsl.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Every State Has Now Enacted a Post-Election Audit Law -...
Backs: “Election Assistance Commission also certifies voting systems against federal security standards.”
8eac.govGovernment
Election Audits Across the United States | U.S. Election Assistance Commission
Backs: “It does occur occasionally and can affect very close local races, which is why safeguards and audits exist and continue to expand.”