Is voter fraud a problem in the US?

Short answer: Voter fraud occurs, but all credible evidence shows it is rare in the U.S. and not widespread enough to alter national outcomes.

What the best evidence says

•In‑person voter impersonation (the kind voter ID at the polls would stop) is vanishingly rare: a comprehensive review found 31 credible cases out of more than 1 billion ballots cast from 2000–2014.[1]

•After the 2020 election, the Justice Department said it found no evidence of fraud on a scale that could have changed the result; an Associated Press review in six contested states identified fewer than 475 potential cases out of about 25.5 million ballots.[2]

•Following the 2024 elections, the federal agency that secures election infrastructure (CISA) said the process was secure; nearly all jurisdictions used systems that produce a voter‑verifiable paper record, enabling audits.[3]

•Independent research and civil‑rights groups likewise find illegal voting to be extremely rare; many allegations stem from clerical errors or misunderstandings rather than intentional fraud.[4]

What does happen

•Isolated, usually local schemes do occur—most often involving absentee ballots—and they are typically detected and prosecuted. A prominent example is North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in 2018, where an absentee‑ballot scheme led the state to order a new election.[5]

Why the system catches problems

•U.S. elections are decentralized and layered with safeguards: paper ballots/records in virtually all jurisdictions, eligibility checks, signature or ID verification where required, and routine post‑election audits in many states. These make large‑scale fraud difficult to execute and easier to detect.[6]

Bottom line: Vigilance and enforcement are important, but the best available data and official reviews indicate voter fraud is uncommon and has not been shown to be a systemic problem in U.S. elections. If you’d like, I can pull details specific to your state.

Citations (6)

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: “In‑person voter impersonation (the kind voter ID at the polls would stop) is vanishingly rare: a comprehensive review found 31 credible cases out of more than 1 billion ballots cast from 2000–2014.”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: A comprehensive review found 31 credible cases of in-person voter impersonation out of over 1 billion ballots cast from 2000-2014.
2pbs.orgNews and mediaquality 0.87
Barr says Justice Department found no evidence of fraud that would change election outcome | PBS News
Backs: “After the 2020 election, the Justice Department said it found no evidence of fraud on a scale that could have changed the result; an Associated Press review in six contested states identified fewer than 475 potential cases out of about 25.5 million ballots.”
statistic, article, points to no. Claim: DOJ found no fraud on a scale that could change the 2020 result; AP found fewer than 475 potential cases among 25.5 million ballots.
3govdelivery.comCompanies
Statement from CISA Director Easterly on the Security of the 2024 Elections
Backs: “Following the 2024 elections, the federal agency that secures election infrastructure (CISA) said the process was secure; nearly all jurisdictions used systems that produce a voter‑verifiable paper record, enabling audits.”
evidence, official document, points to no. Claim: CISA said the 2024 elections were secure, with nearly all jurisdictions using voter-verifiable paper records enabling audits.
4brennancenter.orgNonprofits and think tanks
The Myth of Voter Fraud | Brennan Center for Justice
Backs: “Independent research and civil‑rights groups likewise find illegal voting to be extremely rare; many allegations stem from clerical errors or misunderstandings rather than intentional fraud.”
evidence, article, points to no. Claim: Independent research and civil-rights groups find illegal voting extremely rare; many allegations stem from clerical errors or misunderstandings.
5ncsbe.govGovernment
State Board unanimously orders new election in 9th Congressional District | NCSBE
Backs: “A prominent example is North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District in 2018, where an absentee‑ballot scheme led the state to order a new election.”
evidence, official document, points to yes. Claim: North Carolina's 9th District 2018 absentee-ballot scheme led the state to order a new election.
6eac.govGovernment
U.S. Election Assistance Commission Releases 2024 Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS) Report | U.S. Election Assistance Commission
Backs: “These make large‑scale fraud difficult to execute and easier to detect.”
evidence, official document, points to no. Claim: U.S. elections are decentralized with safeguards like paper records, eligibility checks, and audits that make large-scale fraud difficult and detectable.