Busting the Myth of Widespread Voter Fraud

Many Americans believe voter fraud is a rampant issue undermining elections. Claims of "stolen" votes or illegal ballots often dominate political discourse, especially after close races. But what does the evidence say?

 

Studies consistently show voter fraud is exceedingly rare. A 2014 Loyola Law School study found only 31 credible instances of impersonation fraud out of over 1 billion votes cast in U.S. elections since 2000. The Brennan Center for Justice reported similar findings, noting that voter fraud incidents are less common than lightning strikes. Strict voter ID laws, often justified as fraud prevention, have little impact because the problem is negligible. Instead, these laws can disenfranchise legitimate voters, particularly minorities and low-income groups, who may lack specific IDs.

 

Why does the myth persist? High-profile claims, amplified by social media and partisan rhetoric, create distrust. Yet, election officials—both Republican and Democratic—routinely affirm the integrity of U.S. elections, with multiple safeguards like paper ballots and audits. The 2020 election, scrutinized heavily, saw over 60 lawsuits alleging fraud dismissed for lack of evidence.

 

Assuming widespread fraud is a misconception that distracts from real issues like access to voting. The reality? American elections are among the most secure globally, and claims of systemic fraud don’t hold up.