No More Stolen Elections!

Unite for Voting Rights and Democratic Elections

Allegations of election-related fraud make for enticing press. Many Americans remember vivid stories of voting improprieties in Chicagoland, or the suspiciously sudden appearance of LBJ's alphabetized ballot box in Texas, or Governor Earl Long's quip: "When I die, I want to be buried in Louisiana, so I can stay active in politics." Voter fraud, in particular, has the feel of a bank heist caper: roundly condemned but technically fascinating, and sufficiently lurid to grab and hold headlines. Perhaps because these stories are dramatic, voter fraud makes a popular scapegoat. In the aftermath of a close election, losing candidates are often quick to blame voter fraud for the results. Legislators cite voter fraud as justification for various new restrictions on the exercise of the franchise. And pundits trot out the same few anecdotes time and again as proof that a wave of fraud is imminent.

Allegations of widespread voter fraud, however, often prove greatly exaggerated. It is easy to grab headlines with a lurid claim ("Tens of thousands may be voting illegally!"); the follow-up - when any exists - is not usually deemed newsworthy. Yet on closer examination, many of the claims of voter fraud amount to a great deal of smoke without much fire. The allegations simply do not pan out.

Read the entire publication in .pdf form below. 

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Allegations of widespread fraud by malevolent voters are easy to make, but often prove to be inflated or inaccurate. Crying “wolf” when the claims are unsubstantiated distracts attention from real problems that need real solutions. Moreover, these claims are frequently used to justify policies – including restrictive photo identification rules – that could not solve the alleged wrongs, but that could well disenfranchise legitimate voters.

The Brennan Center carefully examines allegations of fraud to get at the truth behind the claims.

See the hyperlinked timeline of the Brennan Center's work on voter fraud, including work on restrictive photo ID requirements.

Analysis & Reports:  Policy briefs, reports, and other national resources assessing allegations of voter fraud.

Case Studies by Issue: Examinations of voter fraud claims, sorted by the type of fraud alleged.

Case Studies by State: Examinations of voter fraud claims, sorted by the location of the fraud alleged.

Commentary: Opinions and editorials on the hunt for individual voter fraud.

Litigation: Materials assessing claims of voter fraud, filed in court cases around the country.

News: Links to news stories, press releases, and announcements about voter fraud.

PDF icon The Truth About Voter Fraud.pdf