(Updated) US Election Integrity is the Worst in the Developed World
Bottom Line: After having wrapped up the most contested presidential election cycle since the 19th century in 2020, it was evident to many Americans that we needed vastly improved election systems within the United States. This was evidenced by Harvard’s Electoral Integrity Project. The world-wide project which Harvard researchers have completed for every election cycle over the past decade puts election systems into perspective. As I’ve mentioned previously when discussing this topic, it’s remarkable that we’re the world’s leading superpower complete with the greatest technology companies in the world, top medical advancements and crappy election systems which are often surpassed by undeveloped countries. As always there are two sides to stories and one side to facts. Here are the facts pertaining to US election integrity in comparison to countries around the world.
The United States currently ranks 55th world-wide in election integrity following the 2022 election cycle with an integrity score of 64 out of 100. That is two points higher than two years ago and 55th is also two slots higher than two years ago as reforms passed in several states, including Florida, have made a marginal improvement in the country overall.
- A total of 21 states have improved election integrity since the 2020 cycle
- A total of 42 laws have been passed within those 21 states addressing election integrity measures
Florida and Texas are large states which have taken meaningful steps towards improving election integrity over the past couple of years. At the same time there are some states that have gone the other way.
- A total of 12 states have passed laws which have “expanded access to vote”
- A total of 19 laws across those twelve states have been passed “expanding access to vote”
New York is a large state among the twelve which have further loosened election integrity measures since 2020 in the name of “access”. This in part accounts for why many states have improved election systems in recent years, however the country’s integrity overall has only marginally nudged higher. There are approximately 20 other states which have proposed election integrity legislation which hasn’t been enacted as of yet. Hopefully Harvard’s Updated Electoral Integrity Project serves as an additional catalyst for states which have considered, but as of yet have failed to pass meaningful integrity measures. The facts are clear on this. There’s no reason for 54 other countries to have greater election integrity than the United States. That’s a choice.