Is Mail-In Voting Fraud Common in Modern Elections?

With the rise of mail-in voting in the US, concerns over electoral fraud have become more prevalent, particularly in recent election cycles. This article aims to address these concerns and clarify the reality surrounding mail-in voting and its potential for fraud.

Mail-In Voting: A Historical Perspective

Long-standing Tradition

Mail-in voting is not a new phenomenon; it has been an integral part of the US electoral process since its inception. However, in recent years, mail-in voting has gained significant traction, especially due to the 2020 pandemic, which necessitated safer and more accessible voting methods for constituents.

Republican Vulnerability

Despite the long-standing tradition, the issue has become contentious and a highly talked-about topic, particularly among Republicans. This is partly due to the utilization of mail-in voting by Democrats, which has led to increased scrutiny and accusations of potential fraud.

Understanding the Process and Security Measures

Barcodes and Verification

To address the concerns over fraud, every mail-in ballot comes with a unique barcode. These barcodes act as a unique identifier for each ballot, and if there is an issue with the ballot, such as an incorrect signature, the vote is set aside for further investigation. Importantly, these barcodes can only be used once, ensuring that each vote can only be counted once.

The matching of signatures is another crucial security measure employed to prevent fraud. This ensures that each voter is the rightful owner of their ballot and prevents impersonation. If a signature does not match, the ballot is flagged for further investigation.

Highly Secure and Transparent

Furthermore, the process of processing mail-in ballots is highly transparent and secure. Elected officials and independent auditors have access to the system, ensuring that the process is fair and impartial. This transparency is a significant deterrent against any attempts at fraud.

Notably, during the 2020 election, which saw a record number of mail-in ballots, the system held up successfully. Experts, including Trump's own election czar, AG William Barr, and 60 judges, agreed that it was one of the most secure elections ever held. Only a few individuals were caught attempting to commit fraud, further bolstering the security of the system.

Fraudulent Activities Beyond Mail-In Voting

While the security of the mail-in voting process is robust, it is crucial to recognize that fraud can occur in various forms beyond mail-in ballots. Politicians and their parties can commit fraud through more traditional means such as: Roll purges: Removing ineligible voters from the rolls, often targeting specific demographics Gerrymandering: Manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another False advertising: Using misleading campaigns to influence voters

These traditional forms of fraud can be much more insidious and harder to detect, making it essential to continue advocating for transparency and accountability in all aspects of the electoral process.

Conclusion

The security of mail-in voting is indeed a robust system designed to prevent fraud. Every ballot is checked for authenticity, and the process is transparent and fair. While concerns about mail-in voting are valid and warrant attention, it is important to recognize that the real risks to a fair and democratic election lie in other, often more subtle, forms of electoral manipulation.