Fact-Checking Four Viral Election Fraud Claims
As millions across the United States participate in voting, rumors and claims about election fraud are spreading widely online, raising concerns about the integrity of the process. Election officials have quickly debunked many of these accusations, clarifying instances where issues were either exaggerated or misinterpreted. BBC Verify has examined some of the most viral claims—here’s a look at four that have gained significant attention.
1. Claim of Pre-Marked Ballots in Kentucky
One viral post on X (formerly Twitter) features an image of a mail-in ballot supposedly marked in advance for Kamala Harris. The post, viewed over three million times, alleges intentional interference, warning that votes for other candidates would be invalid.
However, the Kentucky Board of Elections has dismissed this claim. According to the board, no complaints about pre-marked ballots have been reported among the 130,000 mailed so far. It clarified that in Kentucky, even if a ballot shows multiple marks, it will still be counted if the voter clearly indicates their choice. The board called the viral post “unsubstantiated” and purely speculative.
2. Military Absentee Ballots Issue
Another viral post suggests that the Pentagon failed to send absentee ballots to military members stationed abroad. This claim, fueled by a letter from three Republican representatives to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, has been viewed over 28 million times.
However, the letter itself does not accuse the Pentagon of neglecting its duties, nor is it responsible for sending absentee ballots. Military members vote using the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), which enables them to request ballots from their US election jurisdictions. If delays occur, service members can use a downloadable Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) as a backup. Although the Pentagon declined to provide specific numbers, it confirmed that thousands of Voting Assistance Officers have been trained to help service members with voting abroad.
3. Allegations of ‘Illegal Voters’ in Pennsylvania
Viral posts on X have accused election offices in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, of allowing “illegal voters” to bypass citizens waiting in line, implying unauthorized individuals were casting ballots.
County officials have thoroughly denied these claims, explaining that the people in question were applying for mail-in ballots. They emphasized that only US citizens can vote, as non-citizen voting is illegal in federal elections. Instances of non-citizens voting remain extremely rare according to research, reinforcing the integrity of this process.
4. Voting Machine Issue in Kentucky
A video from Laurel County, Kentucky, shows a voter attempting to select Donald Trump on a voting machine but reportedly getting Kamala Harris instead. This clip, seen by millions, has fueled suspicions of deliberate vote manipulation.
Local election officials verified that the machine malfunctioned, although they noted it was an isolated incident. They could only recreate the issue by pressing an area between the buttons. The faulty machine was removed for inspection and later confirmed to be functioning correctly. “In a large election, minor issues with machines are inevitable,” said Joseph Greaney from Ballotpedia. “But these are typically isolated cases that are quickly addressed,” he added, reassuring voters of the overall reliability of the system.
In summary, while a few incidents have sparked widespread concerns, most have been clarified as either misunderstandings or rare occurrences. Election officials continue to monitor and rectify any potential issues to ensure every vote is counted accurately.
