Fact check: What evidence exists for voting irregularities in the 2024 US presidential election?

1. Summary of the results

The evidence for voting irregularities in the 2024 US presidential election is extremely limited and largely unsubstantiated. Multiple analyses reveal that while isolated cases exist, they do not constitute widespread fraud or systematic irregularities.

Documented cases include:

• A few noncitizen voting cases that were prosecuted, though experts indicate these are rare and often result from mistakes rather than intentional fraud ^[1]
• A lawsuit in Rockland County, New York, citing statistical anomalies and sworn voter affidavits revealing missing ballots, seeking a full hand recount ^[2]
• Various debunked claims including false allegations of "massive cheating" in Philadelphia, social media posts about non-citizens voting, and voting machine errors ^[3]

Official responses demonstrate robust oversight:

• Election officials and fact-checkers have systematically debunked fraud claims, citing lack of evidence and explaining normal voting processes ^[3]
• A federal judge blocked President Trump's executive order attempting to overhaul elections, ruling it exceeds presidential power and burdens states ^[4]
• Election officials, particularly women like Barb Byrum in Michigan, are actively working to debunk conspiracy theories and restore trust in the electoral process ^[5]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about the scale and motivation behind irregularity claims:

Misinformation ecosystem:

• NewsGuard identified nearly 800 social media accounts and video channels publishing false or misleading election claims ^[6]
• Foreign adversaries and domestic grifters are exploiting election security concerns to undermine faith in the electoral process, according to David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation & Research ^[7]

Political motivations:

• Republicans are using isolated noncitizen voting cases to push for stricter voter registration laws, which could potentially disenfranchise eligible voters ^[1]
• Election denialism has emerged on both the left and right, with Max Read from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue noting it's a significant issue across the political spectrum ^[6]

Systemic safeguards:

• The importance of paper ballots and audits in verifying election results provides built-in verification mechanisms ^[7]
• Normal voting processes can explain many alleged irregularities, including incomplete vote counts being misinterpreted as fraud ^[8]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself is relatively neutral but could inadvertently amplify unfounded claims by seeking "evidence" for irregularities without acknowledging the overwhelming consensus among election officials and experts that the 2024 election was secure.

Key biases to consider:

• The framing assumes irregularities exist at a level worth investigating, when analyses show claims are often baseless and explained by normal voting processes or user error ^[9]
• The question doesn't acknowledge that incomplete vote counts are being used to falsely suggest election fraud ^[8]
• Missing context about how conspiracy theories persist despite lack of evidence and continue to spread regardless of different electoral outcomes ^[7]

Financial and political beneficiaries:

• Political figures and organizations benefit from promoting election doubt to justify stricter voting laws that could reduce voter participation ^[1]
• Domestic grifters profit from spreading election conspiracy theories alongside foreign adversaries seeking to undermine American democracy ^[7]

The evidence overwhelmingly indicates that while isolated incidents occur in any large-scale election, systematic irregularities affecting the 2024 presidential election outcome are not supported by credible evidence.