Is voter fraud a problem in the US?
Short answer: It exists but is rare. Studies and official reviews consistently find that individual voter fraud in the U.S. occurs at extremely low rates, and there is no credible evidence of widespread fraud changing outcomes in national elections. For example, a Loyola Law School study found 31 credible cases of in‑person voter impersonation out of more than 1 billion ballots cast between 2000 and 2014, and broader reviews put overall fraud rates as tiny fractions of a percent.[1]
What top election and law‑enforcement officials have said:
Fraud does happen sometimes—usually small‑scale—and has occasionally affected local races. Examples include:
Safeguards that help keep fraud rare include voter‑verified paper ballots, post‑election audits, and federal testing/certification of voting systems (VVSG) overseen by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and widely used by states.[8]
Bottom line: The U.S. does see isolated cases of election wrongdoing, and they are prosecuted, but the best evidence shows individual voter fraud is uncommon and has not been shown to alter national outcomes.[9]
Citations (9)
- A comprehensive investigation of voter impersonation finds 31 credible incidents out of one billion ballots cast - The Washington Post
Backs: “For example, a Loyola Law School study found 31 credible cases of in‑person voter impersonation out of more than 1 billion ballots cast between 2000 and 2014, and broader reviews put overall fraud rates as tiny fractions of a percent.”
- Joint Statement from Elections Infrastructure Government Coordinating Council and Sector Coordinating Council Executive Committees — NASED
Backs: “On November 12, 2020, the federal/state election‑security coordinating councils facilitated by CISA called the 2020 vote “the most secure in American history.””
- Barr: No evidence of election fraud that would swing the race for Trump - The Washington Post
Backs: “On December 1, 2020, Attorney General William Barr said DOJ had seen no evidence of fraud on a scale that could change the presidential result; dozens of post‑election lawsuits were rejected by judges across the country for lack of credible evidence.”
- State Board unanimously orders new election in 9th Congressional District | NCSBE
Backs: “North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District (2018): absentee‑ballot fraud led the state board to order a new election.”
- Judge invalidates Paterson, NJ, city council election after allegations of mail-in voter fraud :: WRAL.com
Backs: “Paterson, New Jersey (2020): a city council race was thrown out over mail‑ballot abuses.”
- Judge orders new Bridgeport mayoral primary after surveillance videos show possible ballot stuffing – NBC Connecticut
Backs: “Bridgeport, Connecticut (2023): a judge ordered a new mayoral primary after videos showed improper handling of absentee ballots.”
- Compton City Council election overturned - Los Angeles Times
Backs: “Compton, California (2021 race; ruling 2022): a city council result was overturned after illegal votes were documented.”
- Are voting systems secure? | U.S. Election Assistance Commission
Backs: “Safeguards that help keep fraud rare include voter‑verified paper ballots, post‑election audits, and federal testing/certification of voting systems (VVSG) overseen by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and widely used by states.”
- Debunking the Voter Fraud Myth | Brennan Center for Justice
Backs: “The U.S. does see isolated cases of election wrongdoing, and they are prosecuted, but the best evidence shows individual voter fraud is uncommon and has not been shown to alter national outcomes.”