Voting in the name of a deceased person is a serious form of voting fraud that undermines the integrity of elections. This illegal act involves someone casting a vote in an election using the name of a deceased individual who is still listed on the voter registration roll. Such actions are considered criminal offenses, and each state has its own set of penalties for those found guilty, which may include fines and probation.
In the 2020 election, the issue of voting in the name of deceased persons gained attention as a point of contention raised by the Trump campaign. However, investigations in states like Arizona, Virginia, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia revealed that these claims were largely unsubstantiated, with only a few isolated cases being confirmed.
To address concerns about fraudulent voting practices, many states have implemented measures such as signature verification and additional laws to protect the integrity of their electoral processes. These safeguards are designed to prevent individuals from attempting to submit votes on behalf of deceased relatives or other citizens.
