What Is Voter Fraud?

Legal Voting in the 2020 Presidential Election

The presidential election is approaching, so you must prepare to exercise your voting rights properly. If you read or watch the news, you may have heard a lot of talk about voter fraud posing a threat to this year’s election. More specifically, President Trump has passionately denounced mail-in voting over the last few months and perceives it as a gateway for fraud that can interfere with the security and safety of the presidential election.

However, the facts state otherwise. Colorado legally requires that every voter gets mailed a ballot before most elections, and this method is proving successful so far. Colorado is among the top 10 states with the most voter participation and exemplifies the efficiency of mail-in voting, with 40% decreased costs when it switched to this method. Not only is mail-in voting more accessible, but during a global pandemic, it could be lifesaving.

Although mail-in voting is not as destructive as some, including politicians, claim it to be, voter fraud exists and is considered a federal offense. It’s serious and will be punished as such.

Types of Voter Fraud

According to The Heritage Foundation, election (voter) fraud can occur in a variety of ways:

• Impersonation fraud at the polls
• False registrations
• Duplicate voting
• Fraudulent use of absentee ballots
• Buying votes
• Illegal “assistance” at the polls
• Ineligible voting
• Altering the vote count
• Ballot petition fraud

Conduct Actionable as Federal Election Fraud, Intimidation, or Suppression

The US Department of Justice outlines several illegal actions that constitute federal election fraud, intimidation and suppression. They include, but aren’t limited to:

• Paying voters to register to vote, or to vote in elections where a federal candidate’s name is on the ballot, or through the use of the mails in those States where vote-buying is a “bribery” offense, or in federal elections in those States where purchased votes or registrations are voidable under state law
• Multiple voting in a federal election, voting for individuals in a federal election who do not personally participate in the voting act attributed to them, or impersonating voters
• Intimidating voters through physical duress in any election, or economic intimidation in connection with registration to vote or voting in a federal election
• Qualifying fictitious individuals to vote in federal elections by placing fictitious names on voter registration rolls
• Providing false information concerning a voter’s name, address, or period of residence to register to vote, or to vote in a federal election
• Falsely claiming United States citizenship in connection with registering to vote or voting in any election

There are several other ways that voter fraud can be committed, and the shocking truth is that election fraud may be committed by accident. Don’t get into a messy situation if it can be avoided; it’s better to get legal counsel from our experienced Denver criminal defense lawyers to explain state and federal election fraud laws. This way, you can better avoid a federal charge and exercise your voting rights without worry. Call (303) 732-5048 for a free consultation!