Is voter fraud a problem in the US?

Short answer: Voter fraud happens occasionally in the U.S., but the best available evidence shows it is rare and not widespread. Reviews by election officials and law enforcement have repeatedly found no evidence of systemic or outcome‑changing fraud in recent national elections (for example, the 2020 election).[1]

What the data show

•In‑person “voter impersonation” (the kind photo‑ID laws would stop) is vanishingly uncommon: one review found 31 credible cases out of more than 1 billion ballots (2000–2014), and a separate News21 project found just 10 such cases since 2000.[2]

•Mail voting has safeguards and very low detected irregularity rates. A Washington Post analysis of three all‑mail states found about 372 possible double‑votes or votes on behalf of deceased people out of 14.6 million ballots in 2016–2018 (≈0.0025%).[3]

•After 2020, courts across the country rejected the vast majority of fraud‑based challenges; even a synthesis that tallied 62 cases found only one minor win that did not change outcomes. Federal and state election‑security officials also stated the 2020 election was the “most secure” in U.S. history, and the U.S. attorney general at the time said DOJ found no fraud that would change the result.[4]

Important nuance

•Fraud can matter in very close local races. Examples include: the 2018 NC‑9 U.S. House race (a new election was ordered due to an absentee‑ballot scheme) and a 2021 Compton, CA city council race (overturned in court). These are notable because they are the exceptions that prove the rule.[5]

Bottom line: Election crimes do occur and are prosecuted, but they are rare relative to the hundreds of millions of votes cast. Most allegations stem from administrative errors, list‑maintenance issues, or misunderstandings—rather than coordinated, large‑scale fraud—and U.S. elections employ multiple safeguards (e.g., signature checks, barcodes, ballot tracking, post‑election audits) to deter and detect problems.[6]

Citations (6)

1brennancenter.orgNonprofits and think tanks
The Myth of Voter Fraud | Brennan Center for Justice
Backs: “Reviews by election officials and law enforcement have repeatedly found no evidence of systemic or outcome‑changing fraud in recent national elections (for example, the 2020 election).”
2washingtonpost.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: “In‑person “voter impersonation” (the kind photo‑ID laws would stop) is vanishingly uncommon: one review found 31 credible cases out of more than 1 billion ballots (2000–2014), and a separate News21 project found just 10 such cases since 2000.”
3washingtonpost.comNews and mediaquality 0.82
Analysis of mail-in ballots finds just 0.0025% rate of possible voter fraud in five 2016, 2018 elections - The Washington Post
Backs: “A Washington Post analysis of three all‑mail states found about 372 possible double‑votes or votes on behalf of deceased people out of 14.6 million ballots in 2016–2018 (≈0.0025%).”
4govinfo.govGovernment
210 CHAPTER 1
Backs: “Federal and state election‑security officials also stated the 2020 election was the “most secure” in U.S. history, and the U.S. attorney general at the time said DOJ found no fraud that would change the result.”
5ncsbe.govGovernment
State Board unanimously orders new election in 9th Congressional District | NCSBE
Backs: “These are notable because they are the exceptions that prove the rule.”
6brennancenter.orgNonprofits and think tanks
Mail Ballot Security Features: A Primer | Brennan Center for Justice
Backs: “Most allegations stem from administrative errors, list‑maintenance issues, or misunderstandings—rather than coordinated, large‑scale fraud—and U.S. elections employ multiple safeguards (e.g., signature checks, barcodes, ballot tracking, post‑election audits) to deter and detect problems.”