News

Budzinski: Voter fraud is ‘urban myth’

Budzinski: Voter fraud is ‘urban myth’

U.S. Rep. Nikki Bufxindki (D-Springfield) speaks to reporters after an infrastructure roundtable, Springfield IL July 29, 2026 Photo: Saga Communications


Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Central and southern Illinois U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (pictured) (D-Springfield) says the SAVE America Act is built on a fraudulent foundation; that it’s a “voter suppression act” and a “dog whistle.”

The act, she said, is about “adding additional barriers as it relates to voter ID, being required to need things like a passport, a birth certificate. These are things that folks that are working every day don’t necessarily have right at their fingertips.”

Budzinski said part of the motivation to pass that bill is that “the President is trying to retake the authority from the states to administer their own state elections,” adding the election system is one which is run in each state.

While nobody wants fraudulent votes, Budzinski said, “There has never been anything borne out in facts that actually shows that there is a necessity, an issue around voter fraud, that would require this draconian piece of federal legislation.”

The Heritage Foundation maintains an “election fraud map” showing Minnesota has had the most instances of fraud since 2007, 138. Illinois is third with 117.

An Arizona State University study reported that between 2000 and 2012, voter fraud occurred 0.000003 – three one-millionths – times for every vote.

Recent Headlines

19 hours ago in Entertainment

‘Spider-Man: Brand New Day’ nets second best North American opening ever with $355 million

"Spider-Man: Brand New Day" made box office history in its first weekend in theaters. The Sony-released superhero movie became the second-biggest North American opening ever with an astonishing $355 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. It was just a few million shy of "Avengers: Endgame," which debuted to $357 million in 2019.

19 hours ago in Entertainment

Ariana Grande withdraws from London musical and will take a break from the public eye

Ariana Grande has pulled out of an upcoming stage musical in London, producers said, and plans to withdraw from the public eye for a break from the intense scrutiny she faces.

22 hours ago in Entertainment, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide

American Giants Museum drawing visitors from around the world to Route 66

The collection includes a Muffler Man, a Phillips 66 Cowboy and Bob's Big Boys, among others.

23 hours ago in Entertainment, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local, Music, Route 66 100th Anniversary Guide

Symphony at Motorheads?

Things to do include the usual and the unusual.