First off, this isn't a "study", the vast majority of journalists are non-technical people with limited understanding of statistics or science.

Second, they looked at 3 states out of 50. Yes I understand that's where the majority of mail in voting happens currently. That's about to change.

Third, they ignored states with larger populations of illegal immigrants.

Fourth, they ignored opt out motor voter laws which, combined with laws which give illegals drivers licenses (in at least 2 states currently) and automatically register them to vote unless they opt out.

Long story short, wapo found what it wanted find, consumers read what they wanted to read.

I wanted to investigate this idea that states with larger populations of illegal immigrants would be more prone to voter fraud. I searched for "how many illegal immigrants voted in 2016." I can't find results suggesting widespread voter fraud anywhere in the United States. The Heritage Foundation discovered about 9,000 duplicate votes throughout the country.[0] ICE indicted 19 foreign nationals for voting illegally in 2016.[1]

[0] https://www.heritage.org/election-integrity/commentary/new-r...

[1] https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/19-foreign-nationals-indic...