San Diego Criminal Lawyers Blog
A crazy election year is ahead, making it a good idea to take a look at voter fraud issues that could lead to some real problems for individuals who are charged.
Voter Fraud Facts
The truth is that the majority of Americans do care about election integrity and believe that fraud of any kind is wholly intolerable. That may be why voter fraud is tremendously rare in the United States, according to numerous studies, despite claims to the contrary by some. Claims floating around charging that the 2024 presidential election is “rigged” are unfounded, as the number of fraud cases related to voting is minuscule and would not impact election results. Here’s what we know about recent cases of such fraud:
- According to one study, the probability of non-citizen voter fraud is zero.
- Only 31 credible cases of voter fraud related to impersonation occurred between 2000 and 2014 across the country.
- The actual rate of voter impersonation is no higher than 0.003%.
- Most questionable issues can be traced back to a clerical error of some kind.
- In the 2016 election, there were just four cases of documented fraud.
- Mail-in votes have been determined to be just as secure as in-person votes.
- In multiple studies, the majority of voter fraud claims have been found to be meritless.
Examples of Voter Fraud
In the event someone did decide to try to commit voter fraud, there are a number of ways to attempt to break the law (although safeguards usually prevent success):
- Voting or registering, or trying to do so, in the name of someone else or of a fictional person and forging a signature;
- Interfering with mail-in ballots;
- Voting despite ineligibility (such as due to citizenship status, felony status, or age);
- Casting more than one ballot in the same election;
- Voting in the name of someone who has died;
- Changing the information on someone else’s registration form or throwing it away because you do not like the party they are associated with;
- Buying, threatening, and/or selling votes;
- Being paid to vote in a particular way;
Examples of Voter Fraud by Officials
- Manipulating voting machines;
- Trying to determine who someone has voted for;
- Manipulating ballots by throwing them out, changing them, or casting ballots in the name of other voters.
Examples of Fraud by Campaigns or Candidates
- Using taxpayer money to campaign;
- Secreting the names of those who pay for advertising;
- Campaigning within 100 feet of a polling location.
Penalties for Voter Fraud
While voter fraud is extremely rare, when it does occur, offenders can look forward to the possibility of serious penalties, including thousands in fines and years behind bars, depending on the charges.
Defending Charges
At Boertje & Associates, our dedicated criminal defense attorneys always fight for the best possible outcomes for you. If you have been accused of voter fraud, schedule a confidential consultation in our San Diego office today.