Fact-Check: "Joe Biden's presidential election results did not follow Benford's law"
What We Know
Benford's Law is a statistical principle that predicts the frequency distribution of the first digits in many real-life sets of numerical data. According to a report by Kossovsky and Miller, the analysis of the 2020 presidential election data indicated that the vote counts for Joe Biden did not perfectly align with the expectations set by Benford's Law. This claim has been circulated widely, especially in discussions surrounding alleged electoral fraud.
However, it is important to note that deviations from Benford's Law do not inherently indicate fraud. A Reuters article emphasizes that while some data sets may deviate from Benford's Law, such deviations alone cannot serve as proof of election fraud. The application of Benford's Law to electoral data is complex and can be influenced by numerous factors, including the nature of the data collection and reporting processes.
Additionally, a study published on ResearchGate discusses the application of Benford's Law to vote counts in the 2020 election, concluding that while some irregularities were observed, they do not substantiate claims of widespread fraud (ResearchGate study).
Analysis
The claim that Biden's election results did not follow Benford's Law is supported by various analyses, including the aforementioned report by Kossovsky and Miller, which presents statistical evidence of deviations. However, the reliability of such analyses can vary significantly. The report itself is authored by individuals with a background in mathematics, which lends it some credibility, but it should be viewed in the context of broader research on the subject.
Conversely, the Inappropriate Applications of Benford’s Law paper critiques the misuse of this statistical tool in political contexts, arguing that its application to election data is often flawed. This critique highlights the potential for misinterpretation and misuse of statistical principles when applied to complex social phenomena like elections.
Moreover, the YouTube analysis by Stand-up Maths provides an accessible breakdown of why Benford's Law may not apply uniformly across different datasets, particularly in the context of elections. This perspective is crucial for understanding the limitations of applying Benford's Law to vote counts, as it emphasizes the need for careful consideration of the data's nature and collection methods.
Overall, while the claim that Biden's results did not follow Benford's Law has some basis in statistical analysis, it is essential to recognize that such deviations do not automatically imply electoral fraud. The context and methodology of the analysis are critical in evaluating the validity of the claim.
Conclusion
The verdict on the claim that "Joe Biden's presidential election results did not follow Benford's law" is Partially True. While statistical analyses indicate deviations from Benford's Law, these deviations do not serve as definitive evidence of fraud. The application of Benford's Law to election data is fraught with complexities and potential misinterpretations. Therefore, while the claim has merit, it must be contextualized within a broader understanding of statistical analysis and electoral processes.
Sources
- REPORT ON BENFORD'S LAW ANALYSIS OF 2020 ...
- Inappropriate Applications of Benford’s Law Regularities to ...
- Deviation from Benford's Law does not prove election fraud
- Why do Biden's votes not follow Benford's Law?
- Benford's Law and 2020 Presidential Voter Fraud
- Do vote counts for Joe Biden in the 2020 election violate ...
- Was There Any Widespread Fraud in 2020 Presidential Election ...
- Benford's law and the 2020 US presidential election