In nearly every area of government programs, fraud is considered a risk. From healthcare to unemployment benefits, agencies anticipate and monitor for abuse. Average fraud rate of 3 – 7 percent are seen as normal—even 10% isn’t unheard of. In the 2020 Presidential election, 7 States outcomes would have changed with 3 percent fraud and 16 States at 10 percent fraud. So why, when it comes to elections—a process that determines the leadership of an entire nation—do some officials suggest that fraud is negligible, almost nonexistent?
This inconsistency feels jarring. If we expect fraud elsewhere, why not here? Elections are high-stakes. The incentives are huge. And that makes scrutiny absolutely essential.
A Glimpse into History: Fraud Has Always Lurked
Let’s not forget—voting fraud has a long, tangled history in the U.S.
Take Tammany Hall in the 1800s. Ballot stuffing, fake names, and vote buying were common. Then, fast forward to modern times, and we still see reports of double voting, voting by ineligible individuals, and issues with ballot handling.
While many of these cases involve individual misconduct and don’t appear to be widespread, there’s always the possibility of something bigger. And that’s what we can’t afford to ignore—coordinated fraud, not just isolated incidents.
Electronic systems, mail-in ballots, third-party ballot collection—these are all innovations meant to make voting easier. But they also create opportunities for manipulation if safeguards aren’t strong enough.
What We Don’t See Still Matters
Here’s a truth that’s uncomfortable but important: Not seeing fraud doesn’t mean it’s not happening.
Just like embezzlement or insider trading, sophisticated fraud doesn’t shout. It whispers. It’s designed to avoid detection. It hides in loopholes, slips through weaknesses, and often looks like business as usual.
Election fraud, if done well, wouldn’t leave fingerprints. So the argument that there’s no fraud because we haven’t found fraud? That’s not as strong as it sounds.
Even intelligence agencies admit that foreign and domestic actors have tried to influence elections. If there are attempts, doesn’t it make sense to have a system capable of detecting them?
The Real Cost: Legitimacy and Trust
Democracy lives and dies by trust.
Even the perception of fraud can shake the system. If voters believe their votes don’t matter—or worse, that elections are rigged—they lose faith. And once that happens, participation drops, division grows, and democracy weakens.
It’s not just about whether fraud happened. It’s about whether people believe in the integrity of the vote.
In close elections, a tiny amount of fraud can make a big difference. If 3% fraud is enough to change the outcome in 7 states, then even a small vulnerability becomes a big threat.
Why the Pushback on Voter ID?
On the surface, they seem like a common-sense safeguard. After all, we need ID for nearly everything else—why not for voting?
Here’s where the debate gets messy.
Supporters say voter ID laws are a simple, effective way to prevent impersonation and build confidence.
Opponents worry these laws can disenfranchise vulnerable groups—like the elderly, minorities, low-income voters, or rural residents—who may not have easy access to IDs.
But here’s the thing: both concerns are valid.
We need security and accessibility. It’s not a choice between the two. Smart policy should do both—protect the process and make sure every eligible voter can participate.
So why do people oppose voter ID? Not necessarily because they have “something to hide.” Many fear that strict laws will unfairly burden legitimate voters. But rather than rejecting ID laws entirely, a better path might be making sure IDs are free and easy to obtain, so no one is left out.
A Call for Balanced Solutions
Instead of arguing over whether fraud exists at all, maybe we should shift the conversation to how we build a system that’s resilient—just in case it does.
We can:
- Upgrade election technology with secure, auditable systems
- Expand transparency in ballot handling and counting
- Use bipartisan observers to monitor every step of the process
- Implement universal, free voter ID with robust outreach
- Run independent audits after close races, not just recounts
These are not radical steps. They’re smart ones. They reassure voters and protect democracy.
Let’s Not Be Afraid to Ask Hard Questions
We can’t protect our democracy by pretending it’s invulnerable. We protect it by constantly testing it, improving it, and earning the trust of every voter.
Fraud in elections might be rare—or it might just be hard to find. Either way, the consequences are too serious to brush aside.
The real danger isn’t just in fraud itself. It’s in failing to prepare for it. It’s in ignoring valid concerns, instead of building a system that addresses them with clarity and fairness.
And when it comes to your vote—your voice—don’t you want to know it’s safe?
Safeguarding the Sacred: Our Vote Deserves the Best
We shouldn’t settle for a fragile system or a polarized debate. Let’s expect more. Let’s invest in better. Let’s embrace transparency, accountability, and unity in protecting the vote.
Because no matter where you stand politically, this one truth binds us all:
Our democracy only works when we all believe in it.