Is voter fraud a problem in the US?

Short answer: Documented voter fraud in the U.S. is rare. It happens, but not at rates that affect national election outcomes; when it occurs, it’s usually isolated and is often caught.

Key points

•Scale: An Associated Press review of six 2020 battleground states found fewer than 475 potential fraudulent ballots out of more than 25 million cast—far too few to change results.[1]

•Government assessments: The federal election-security coalition (including CISA, DHS, and state officials) called the 2020 election “the most secure in American history,” and the U.S. Attorney General at the time said DOJ found no evidence of fraud that could have changed the outcome.[2]

•Courts: After 2020, judges across the political spectrum rejected over 60 lawsuits alleging widespread fraud for lack of proof or other legal deficiencies.[3]

•Research: Academic studies show in‑person voter impersonation and other forms of individual fraud are extraordinarily uncommon (e.g., 31 credible impersonation cases out of more than 1 billion ballots from 2000–2014).[4]

What does happen

•Isolated or local schemes do occur and can matter in close, down‑ballot races. Examples include the absentee‑ballot operation that forced a new 2018 election in North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District, and a 2020 Paterson, New Jersey city‑council race marred by mail‑ballot tampering.[5]

•A conservative database catalogs prosecuted cases over decades, underscoring that fraud exists—but even its curators describe it as non‑exhaustive and the totals are tiny relative to overall votes cast.[6]

Bottom line: Voter fraud is a real but infrequent crime in the U.S. It has not been shown to be widespread or outcome‑determinative in national contests, though election offices and prosecutors do catch and pursue sporadic cases—especially in close local races.[1]

If you’d like, tell me your state and I can summarize recent cases and safeguards where you vote.

2.[19

We improved the security of systems, scanning](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CHRG-116shrg43071/pdf/CHRG-116shrg43071.pdf?utm_source=openai)

Citations (6)

1pbs.orgNews and mediaquality 0.87
AP review finds far too little vote fraud to tip 2020 election to Trump | PBS News
Backs: “An Associated Press review of six 2020 battleground states found fewer than 475 potential fraudulent ballots out of more than 25 million cast—far too few to change results.”
2govinfo.govGovernment
19 We improved the security of systems, scanning
Backs: “Attorney General at the time said DOJ found no evidence of fraud that could have changed the outcome.”
3campaignlegal.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Results of Lawsuits Regarding the 2020 Elections | Campaign Legal Center
Backs: “After 2020, judges across the political spectrum rejected over 60 lawsuits alleging widespread fraud for lack of proof or other legal deficiencies.”
4washingtonpost.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: “Academic studies show in‑person voter impersonation and other forms of individual fraud are extraordinarily uncommon (e.g., 31 credible impersonation cases out of more than 1 billion ballots from 2000–2014).”
5ncsbe.govGovernment
State Board unanimously orders new election in 9th Congressional District | NCSBE
Backs: “Examples include the absentee‑ballot operation that forced a new 2018 election in North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District, and a 2020 Paterson, New Jersey city‑council race marred by mail‑ballot tampering.”
6heritage.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Heritage Database | Election Fraud Map | The Heritage Foundation
Backs: “A conservative database catalogs prosecuted cases over decades, underscoring that fraud exists—but even its curators describe it as non‑exhaustive and the totals are tiny relative to overall votes cast.”