Is voter fraud a problem in the US?

This is a politically charged topic where empirical research and public perception diverge significantly. Here's what the evidence shows:

What the research says

Multiple academic studies, government reviews, and nonpartisan analyses have consistently found that voter fraud—especially the kind that could swing elections (like impersonation fraud)—is extremely rare in the US.

•A landmark Brennan Center review reviewed elections that had been meticulously studied for voter fraud, and found incident rates between 0.0003 percent and 0.0025 percent, concluding it's more likely an American "will be struck by lightning than that he will impersonate another voter at the polls."

•A comprehensive Washington Post analysis concluded that there is no evidence to support... A comprehensive 2014 study published in The Washington Post found 31 credible instances of impersonation fraud from 2000 to 2014, out of more than 1 billion ballots cast

•State-specific audits tell a similar story. In Pennsylvania, the Heritage Foundation analyzed 30 years of data, across which 32 elections were held. Just 39 cases of voter fraud were identified — 0.000039 percent of the more than 100 million ballots cast. Arizona showed comparable results: over the 25 years covering the bulk of the cases cited by Heritage, there were 36 elections held... that meant around 42.6 million votes cast with only 36 cases of fraud in total.

•Even conservative-leaning trackers find similarly tiny numbers. The Heritage Foundation's own database—often cited by those concerned about fraud—records 20 cases brought in 2024 within a broader tally of roughly 1,325 convictions over many years, spanning the entire country across decades.

Recent 2024 election data

Looking at the most recent election cycle, the pattern continues:

•Nationally, the most consistent datapoints are single-digit to low-double-digit prosecutions in specific jurisdictions... Ohio's attorney announced an indictment of six noncitizens accused of illegally voting, while Minnesota charged a head election judge over 11 unregistered ballots, and Texas opened investigations into 33 alleged noncitizen voters, out of tens of millions of votes cast in those states.

•Wisconsin's post-election audit found election clerks referred 46 instances of suspected fraud and voting irregularities to prosecutors related to the November 2024 presidential election... representing a tiny fraction of the more than 3.4 million ballots cast.

•Nevada flagged 303 instances of "double voting" – the same person attempting to vote twice – detected in the 2024 general election... each person attempting to vote twice was caught before casting the second vote—meaning the safeguards worked.

•Importantly, referrals and prosecutions aren't the same thing: referrals, indictments, and prosecutions" create confusion when counting "prosecuted" cases. Ohio's Secretary of State referred over a thousand cases to federal authorities and state prosecutors, with public statements later noting only a fraction were presented to grand juries and even fewer resulted in indictments.

The perception gap

Despite this evidence, public belief in widespread fraud remains high and sharply partisan. A Pew Research Center survey found that 54% of Republicans believe voter fraud is a major problem in U.S. elections, compared to 6% of Democrats.

Bottom line

The empirical consensus across studies—from Brennan Center to Heritage Foundation data to state audits—is that voter fraud occurs at extremely low rates (typically measured in thousandths or millionths of a percent) and does not appear to be systemic or large enough to affect election outcomes. Isolated cases do happen and are prosecuted, but "widespread voter fraud" as sometimes claimed in political rhetoric is not supported by the data. That said, this remains a politically contentious issue, and people disagree not just on the facts but on what level of safeguards is appropriate even given low fraud rates.

Citations (11)

1brennancenter.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Resources on Voter Fraud Claims
Source excerpt: “The report reviewed elections that had been meticulously studied for voter fraud, and found incident rates between 0.0003 percent and 0.0025 percent. ”
2brennancenter.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Resources on Voter Fraud Claims
Source excerpt: “Thus, the report found, it is more likely an American “will be struck by lightning than that he will impersonate another voter at the polls.” ”
3brennancenter.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Debunking the Voter Fraud Myth
Source excerpt: “ A 2017 analysis published in *The Washington Post* concluded that there is no evidence to support  A comprehensive 2014 study published in *The Wa...”
4thehill.comNews and mediaquality 0.90
Election fraud rare in US elections, despite persistent claims otherwise
Source excerpt: “In Pennsylvania, for example, the Heritage Foundation analyzed 30 years of data, across which 32 elections were held. Just 39 cases of voter fraud wer...”
5newsweek.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
Voter Fraud in US Elections? What the Data and Research Shows - Newsweek
Source excerpt: “The Brookings report noted that over the 25 years covering the bulk of the cases cited by Heritage, there were 36 elections held. In the case of Arizo...”
6factually.coLow provenance
How many voter fraud convictions were recorded nationw...
Source excerpt: “Election Fraud Map Election Fraud Map Heritage Database | Election Fraud Map | The Heritage Foundation Searched for: "US voter fraud convictions 2...”
7factually.coLow provenance
How many voter fraud cases were prosecuted in the 2024...
Source excerpt: “Across state and research summaries, the most consistent datapoints are single-digit to low-double-digit prosecutions in specific jurisdictions, and a...”
8aol.comNews and mediaquality 0.77
Wisconsin clerks refer 46 cases of suspected fraud, irregularities in 2024 presidential election
Source excerpt: “Wisconsin clerks refer 46 cases of suspected fraud, irregularities in 2024 presidential election MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin election clerks referr...”
9foxnews.comNews and mediaquality 0.53
nevada investigates more than 300 potential voter fraud cases 2024 election
Source excerpt: “According to the report, there were 303 instances of "double voting" – the same person attempting to vote twice – detected in the 2024 general electio...”
10factually.coLow provenance
How many voter fraud cases from the 2024 election have...
Source excerpt: “News releases and official statements around 2024–2025 repeatedly distinguish between **referrals, indictments, and prosecutions**, creating confusion...”
11zipdo.coData and tools
Voter Fraud: 2026 Research Stats
Source excerpt: “04 A Pew Research Center survey found that 54% of Republicans believe voter fraud is a major problem in U.S. elections, compared to 6% of Democrats....”