What does voter fraud in the US really look like?

The terms “voter fraud” and “election fraud” have become frequently used phrases regarding the process of fair and free elections, raising questions about the integrity of the electoral process in the United States.During election cycles, the topic of fraud surges in conversations, especially surrounding the presidential election. This leads many people to assume voter fraud happens frequently or often.However, it might surprise many to learn that voter fraud is actually extremely rare.Setting aside any rhetoric – and focusing solely on the data surrounding voter fraud – backs up this conclusion.With early voting underway and the general election only a month away, Hearst Television’s National Investigative Unit analyzed the data. The analysis shows the frequency of voter fraud cases leading to criminal convictions or court actions in recent years, debunking common misconceptions about voter fraud and elections. No significant impacts on presidential elections The investigative team identified 14 cases in which a new election was ordered or the election was overturned. And in all but one case, the election in question was municipal, county, or statewide, where the number of total voters is smaller and margins are thinner.Ambassador Tim Roemer is a member of the National Council on Election Integrity, a bipartisan group focused on strengthening the election system and ensuring public trust in democracy. Video above: Tim Roemer speaks to the National Investigative UnitIn presidential elections, where the total vote count could top more than 158 million in this year’s race, “Two or three people mistakenly trying to vote in those places does not have any impact on the election,” Roemer told the National Investigative Unit. “It doesn’t happen much at all,” Roemer continued, discussing voter fraud on a widespread level. “It’s against the law. We have local, trained officials that seek it out that are trained to find it.” The National Investigative Unit interviewed several secretaries of state who oversee election operations. Other officials agreed that they’re not concerned about widespread voter fraud. Surprisingly larger impact on local elections Voter fraud is rare. When it does happen, a handful of fraudulent votes are not enough to overturn federal elections, but it can affect local elections. “Sometimes, we get really kind of focused on federal elections, and we forget about these school board elections or these local elections where every vote matters,” Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson told the National Investigative Unit. “You’ve got these close elections where people say, well, it may just be in two instances where it’s a couple votes. Those couple votes could switch a school board election, and that school board election can impact your taxes.”What happened in EatonvilleEatonville, Florida, is a historic town incorporated in August 1887. It was one of the first self-governing all-Black municipalities in the United States.Marlin Daniels and his family are part of the town’s history and fabric. His family is from there, and his uncle was on the town council and served as mayor for a period of time.Daniels recalled his decision to run for town council to make a difference.While receiving updates on the night of the election, initial results showed Daniels was winning by a narrow margin. But when the final results were tallied, Daniels lost by one vote.That’s when something clicked for Daniels. He remembered talking to a man outside of town hall on Election Day. This man told Daniels that he was told to go in and vote for his opponent, to stay where he was living. He had been behind in rent, and the owner procured the vote for the opponent. Daniels challenged the election results in court, and it was found that voter fraud had played a role in that race.The election results were overturned and Daniels won, taking a seat on the town council.While voter fraud is rare, it can influence local races.”It can happen anywhere, but I believe in the process. We must address it without undermining the American dream of voting,” Daniels said. Foreign interference There’s also been a narrative out there that voter fraud is caused by foreign interference.However, election officials said that foreign interference isn’t happening at the ballot box. It’s more likely to manifest through viral misinformation or disinformation through phone calls, text messages, social media posts and other means in order to sway a person’s vote or prevent them from voting.False information that affects voter behavior is more of a concern. Seeing the election process What should people do if they have questions about voter fraud?Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said that people who are concerned should ask their local officials to see the election process for themselves.Video above: Washington Secretary of State on voter fraud”The problem is people don’t know about the process itself, and we have taken it for granted,” Hobbs told the National Investigative Unit. Learn more about voter fraud and how to report it, intimidation, or suppression by clicking here.