An engrossing guide to fraudulent elections around the world—fully updated to mark the biggest election year in history in 2024, as over four billion people cast their votes.

Contrary to popular belief, authoritarian leaders who hold elections are generally able to remain in power for longer. Nic Cheeseman and Brian Klaas show us how they do so, exploring election-rigging strategies including gerrymandering and ballot-box stuffing, voter suppression, and fake news. Documenting pseudo-democratic methods from Argentina and Zimbabwe to Brazil, Nigeria, Russia, and the United States, they offer a sobering view of corrupted political process—while offering hope for future solutions.