Vote Early and Often

The Origins of Voting Fraud

The phrase "vote early and often" originated in the mid-19th century, during a time of widespread voter fraud in the United States. Political machines controlled elections, and their operatives would often cast multiple ballots under different names or stuff ballot boxes with fraudulent votes.

This blatant fraud led to public outrage and calls for reform. In response, states began to enact laws to prevent voter fraud, including requirements for voter registration and the use of secret ballots.

The Modern Era of Voter Fraud

Although significant progress has been made in reducing voter fraud, it is still a serious problem today. According to a study by the Brennan Center for Justice, an estimated 14 million fraudulent votes were cast in the 2016 presidential election.

Modern voter fraud takes many forms, including:

Impersonation fraud

Ballot stuffing

Absentee ballot fraud

Voter suppression

The Impact of Voter Fraud

Voter fraud can have a significant impact on the outcome of elections. In close races, even a small number of fraudulent votes can change the results.

Voter fraud also undermines the integrity of the democratic process. When people believe that elections are rigged, they are less likely to participate in them.

What Can Be Done to Prevent Voter Fraud?

There are a number of things that can be done to prevent voter fraud, including:

Stricter voter identification requirements

Early voting

Mail-in voting

Voter education

Conclusion

Voter fraud is a serious problem that can have a significant impact on the outcome of elections. However, there are a number of things that can be done to prevent voter fraud and ensure the integrity of the democratic process.

By working together, we can make sure that everyone has the opportunity to vote and that their votes are counted fairly.