PHOENIX (AP) Arizona county election officials have identified fewer than 200 cases of potential voter fraud out of more than 3 million ballots cast in last years presidential election, undercutting former President Donald Trump s claims of a stolen election as his allies continue a disputed ballot review in the states most populous county.

An Associated Press investigation found 182 cases where problems were clear enough that officials referred them to investigators for further review. So far, only four cases have led to charges, including those identified in a separate state investigation. No one has been convicted. No persons vote was counted twice.

While its possible more cases could emerge, the numbers illustrate the implausibility of Trumps claims that fraud and irregularities in Arizona cost him the states electorate votes. In final, certified and audited results, Biden won 10,400 more votes than Trump out of 3.4 million cast.

APs findings align with previous studies showing voter fraud is rare . Numerous safeguards are built into the system to not only prevent fraud from happening but to detect it when it does.

The fact of the matter is that election officials across the state are highly invested in helping to ensure the integrity of our elections and the publics confidence in them, said Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, a Democrat. And part of that entails taking potential voter fraud seriously.

Arizonas potential cases also illustrate another reality: Voter fraud is often bipartisan. Of the four Arizona cases that have resulted in criminal charges, two involved Democratic voters and two involved Republicans .

APs review supports statements made by many state and local elections officials and even some Republican county officials and GOP Gov. Doug Ducey that Arizonas presidential election was secure and its results valid.

And still, Arizonas GOP-led state Senate has for months been conducting what it describes as a forensic audit of results in Phoenixs Maricopa County. The effort has been discredited by election experts and faced bipartisan criticism, but some Republicans, including Trump, have suggested it will uncover evidence of widespread fraud.

This is not a massive issue, said Adrian Fontes, a Democrat who oversaw the Maricopa County election office during the 2020 election and lost his re-election bid. It is a lie that has developed over time. Its been fed by conspiracy theorists.