The recent indictment of six individuals in Queens County, New York, for absentee ballot mail fraud underscores the vulnerabilities in our election system, a growing concern for those who value electoral integrity. This revelation came to light because an alert voter noticed his vote had already been cast, exposing the scam.
This incident highlights a broader issue with absentee voting: its susceptibility to exploitation by sophisticated actors. A well-funded and organized operation can easily navigate the system, cross-referencing county records to identify individuals who have moved or passed away and then requesting absentee ballots in their names. Once fraudulent ballots arrive, they can be signed and submitted with little fear of detection or disqualification.
The efficacy of such fraudulent tactics is supported by evidence from multiple sources. In 2020, Victor Joecks of the Las Vegas Review-Journal experimented with nine absentee ballots. He signed on behalf of nine acquaintances, and they traced over his signature on the ballots. Remarkably, election boards accepted eight mismatched signatures, demonstrating the system’s alarming leniency.
The critical question remains: How many fraudulent ballots have affected past elections, and how many will in future elections? This uncertainty erodes public trust in the electoral process. The experience of European democracies offers a stark contrast. Countries across Western Europe have largely abandoned mass mail-in voting due to unacceptable levels of fraud, opting instead for traditional paper ballots and in-person voting. These nations have maintained the integrity of their elections, with results accepted by the public almost immediately.
The recent case in Queens involved Republicans, underscoring that election fraud is a nonpartisan issue requiring bipartisan solutions. Integrity in our electoral process should be paramount, regardless of political affiliation. The Queens race was decided by a mere 181 votes, illustrating how even a small amount of fraud can significantly impact election outcomes.
Additional concerns arise from the practice of automatically registering individuals to vote when they apply for a driver’s license in many states, including New York. This process includes illegal aliens, who can obtain licenses and inadvertently become registered to vote unless they opt-out. This system blurs the lines of eligibility, making it challenging for election inspectors to verify the legitimacy of voters.
The systemic issues plaguing our current voting practices have resulted in declining public confidence in the integrity of our elections. This erosion of confidence is detrimental to the democratic process. It is imperative to rectify these vulnerabilities to restore public trust and ensure the integrity and fairness of our elections.
The United States must critically reassess and strengthen its electoral system, drawing lessons from other democracies that have successfully minimized fraud. Ensuring electoral integrity is not just about preventing immediate instances of fraud but also safeguarding the foundational trust underpinning our democratic institutions. The upcoming elections will be pivotal for implementing these essential reforms and reaffirming our commitment to a free, fair, and transparent electoral process.
