News Today December 17, 2021

Electoral Fraud
Forms of electoral fraud, sometimes referred to as election manipulation, voter fraud or vote rigging,
involves illegal interference with the process of an election, either by increasing the vote share of a
favored candidate, depressing the vote share of rival candidates, or both. It differs from but often goes
together with voter suppression. What exactly constitutes electoral fraud varies from country to country.
Electoral legislation outlaws many kinds of election fraud, but other practices violate general laws, such
as those banning assault, harassment, or libel. Although technically the term "electoral fraud" covers only
those acts which are illegal, the term is sometimes used to describe acts which are legal, but considered
morally unacceptable, outside the spirit of an election or in violation of the principles of democracy. Show
elections, featuring only one candidate, are sometimes classified as electoral fraud, although they may
comply with the law and are presented more as referendums/plebiscites. In national elections, successful
electoral fraud on a sufficient scale can have the effect of a coup d’état, protest, or corruption of
democracy. In a narrow election, a small amount of fraud may suffice to change the result. Even if the
outcome is not affected, the revelation of fraud can reduce voters' confidence in democracy.

MISLEADING OR
CONFUSING
BALLOT PAPERS
Ballot papers may be used to discourage votes for a particular party
or candidate, using the design or other features which confuse voters
into voting for a different candidate. For example, in the 2000 U.S.
presidential election, Florida's butterfly ballot paper was criticized as
poorly designed, leading some voters to vote for the wrong
candidate. While the ballot itself was designed by a Democrat, it was
the Democratic candidate, Al Gore, who was most harmed by voter
errors because of this design. Poor or misleading design is usually
not illegal and therefore not technically election fraud, but it can
nevertheless subvert the principles of democracy.

MISRECORDING OF VOTES
Votes may be mis recorded at source, on a ballot paper or voting machine, or later in mis recording totals.
The 2019 Malawian general election was nullified by the Constitutional Court in 2020 because many results
were changed by use of correction fluid, as well as duplicate, unverified and unsigned results
forms. California allows correction fluid and tape, so changes can be made after the ballot leaves the voter.
Where votes are recorded through electronic or mechanical means, the voting machinery may be altered so
that a vote intended for one candidate is recorded for another, or electronic results are duplicated or lost,
and there is rarely evidence whether the cause was fraud or error.