Fact Check: did dead people vote for joe biden

Did Dead People Vote for Joe Biden?

The claim that deceased individuals voted in the 2020 presidential election, particularly for Joe Biden, has circulated widely, especially among supporters of former President Donald Trump. This assertion has raised questions about the integrity of the election process and has been the subject of various investigations and fact-checking efforts. This article examines the available evidence surrounding this claim without drawing a definitive conclusion.

What We Know

1. Voter Fraud Claims: Claims of dead voters casting ballots have been made in several states, including Michigan and Arizona. In Michigan, there were allegations that thousands of votes were cast using the names of deceased individuals 35. However, investigations have shown that many of these claims were based on clerical errors rather than actual fraud.

2. Arizona Investigation: An investigation by Arizona's Republican attorney general found only one instance of a dead voter among claims of 282 deceased individuals voting 2. This suggests that while claims were made, they were not substantiated by thorough reviews.

3. Fact-Checking Reports: Various fact-checking organizations have examined these claims. For instance, FactCheck.org noted that allegations of widespread voting by deceased individuals often collapse upon closer inspection, with many cases being attributed to errors in voter registration 6. Similarly, PolitiFact reported that claims suggesting a significant portion of Biden's votes came from dead people are unfounded 9.

4. Public Perception and Misinformation: The spread of misinformation regarding dead voters has been facilitated by social media and partisan narratives. A New York Times article highlighted how misinformation about dead voters in Michigan gained traction, despite being debunked by fact-checkers 5.

5. Official Statements: Election officials across various states have consistently stated that the instances of deceased individuals voting are exceedingly rare. For example, a CNN report indicated that out of a sample of 50 alleged dead voters in Michigan, only five had actually voted, and all were alive 7.

Analysis

The sources cited provide a mix of investigative findings, official statements, and analyses from credible fact-checking organizations. Here's a critical assessment of their reliability:

• Credibility of Sources: The BBC, CNN, and PBS are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. Their reports are generally reliable, as they often rely on official data and expert opinions. In contrast, claims from partisan sources or those lacking transparency should be approached with skepticism.

• Potential Bias: Some sources may have inherent biases based on their affiliations or the narratives they promote. For instance, reports that align closely with political agendas may selectively present data to support their claims.

• Methodological Concerns: Many of the claims about dead voters stem from anecdotal evidence or isolated incidents rather than comprehensive studies. A more thorough investigation into voter registration databases and voting records would provide clearer insights into the prevalence of this issue.

• Conflicts of Interest: Investigations led by partisan figures or organizations may have conflicts of interest that could influence their findings. For example, the Arizona attorney general's investigation was conducted under a Republican administration, which may affect the perceived impartiality of the results.

What Additional Information Would Be Helpful?

To further clarify the situation regarding claims of dead voters, additional information would be beneficial, including:

• Comprehensive studies analyzing voter registration data across multiple states to determine the frequency of deceased individuals appearing on voter rolls.
• Independent audits of election processes in contested states to assess the integrity of voting systems.
• A deeper examination of the impact of misinformation on public perception of election integrity.

Conclusion

Verdict: False

The claim that deceased individuals voted in the 2020 presidential election, particularly for Joe Biden, is not supported by credible evidence. Investigations have shown that allegations of widespread voting by deceased individuals are largely based on clerical errors and misinformation rather than actual instances of fraud. For example, an investigation in Arizona found only one verified case among claims of 282 deceased voters, and fact-checking organizations have consistently debunked these claims.

It is important to note that while isolated incidents of deceased individuals appearing on voter rolls may occur, they do not indicate a systemic issue affecting the election's integrity. The evidence suggests that such occurrences are exceedingly rare and often result from administrative errors rather than intentional wrongdoing.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge the limitations of the available evidence. The investigations conducted have primarily focused on specific claims and may not encompass every possible instance across all states. Additionally, the influence of misinformation on public perception complicates the narrative surrounding this issue.

Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the sources and context of claims related to election integrity. Misinformation can easily spread, and a careful examination of evidence is essential for forming informed opinions.

Sources

1. US election 2020: Five viral vote claims fact-checked - BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54811410
2. Arizona official refutes review that counted 282 dead voters - AP News https://apnews.com/article/elections-arizona-donald-trump-phoenix-government-and-politics-e11fb4726ee010e4d031a63acff939cd
3. US Election 2020: The 'dead voters' in Michigan who are still alive - BBC https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2020-54874120
4. Trump-commissioned report undercut his claims of dead - Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2023/03/17/trump-fraud-report-2020/
5. How Claims of Dead Michigan Voters Spread Faster Than - New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/06/technology/false-dead-michigan-voter-claims.html
6. Thin Allegations of 'Dead People' Voting - FactCheck.org https://www.factcheck.org/2020/11/thin-allegations-of-dead-people-voting/
7. Claims that dead people voted went viral. These are the facts - CNN https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/08/tech/michigan-dead-voter-fact-debunking/index.html
8. Exhaustive fact check finds little evidence of voter fraud, but - PBS https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/exhaustive-fact-check-finds-little-evidence-of-voter-fraud-but-2020s-big-lie-lives-on
9. PolitiFact | No, dead people didn't cast half of Joe Biden's 2020 - PolitiFact https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2022/aug/26/viral-image/no-dead-people-didnt-cast-half-joe-bidens-2020-pre/
10. Votes cast in the names of deceased people - Ballotpedia https://ballotpedia.org/Votes_cast_in_the_names_of_deceased_people