Fact Check: Ineligible voting cases are incredibly rare in the U.S.

Fact Check: "Ineligible voting cases are incredibly rare in the U.S."

What We Know

Recent reports indicate that instances of ineligible voting, particularly by noncitizens, are extremely rare in the United States. A review conducted by the Michigan Department of State found only 15 credible cases of noncitizens voting in the 2024 General Election, which represents a mere 0.00028% of the over 5.7 million ballots cast in Michigan. This review compared motor vehicle records to voting records and highlighted that the identified cases were referred for potential prosecution, underscoring the seriousness with which election officials treat such violations.

Moreover, a broader examination of noncitizen voting claims has shown that these allegations often lack substantial evidence. According to a report by NPR, election officials regularly verify voter registration information and remove ineligible voters from the rolls, further supporting the assertion that noncitizen voting is not a widespread issue.

Analysis

The findings from the Michigan Department of State provide a credible and specific example of the rarity of ineligible voting cases. The data indicates that the number of noncitizen voters is negligible compared to the total number of votes cast. The review's methodology, which involved cross-referencing motor vehicle records with voter registration data, appears robust and systematic, lending credibility to the results.

In contrast, some sources, such as Judicial Watch, emphasize the removal of millions of ineligible names from voter rolls, which may suggest a more significant issue. However, these removals often pertain to individuals with felony convictions or administrative errors rather than noncitizen voting. Thus, while the removal of ineligible names is important for maintaining accurate voter rolls, it does not necessarily correlate with the prevalence of noncitizen voting.

The reliability of the sources is crucial in this context. The Michigan Department of State is a government entity tasked with overseeing elections, making its findings authoritative. On the other hand, organizations like Judicial Watch may have political motivations that could influence their reporting, which necessitates a more cautious interpretation of their claims.

Conclusion

The claim that ineligible voting cases are incredibly rare in the U.S. is True. The evidence from the Michigan Department of State demonstrates that noncitizen voting is exceedingly uncommon, constituting a tiny fraction of total votes cast. Furthermore, the broader context of election integrity efforts shows that while maintaining accurate voter rolls is essential, the actual incidence of ineligible voting, particularly by noncitizens, is minimal.