The policy of popular sovereignty brought about fierce competition between the anti- and pro-slavery forces in the kansas territory. the pro-slavery forces brought in residents of nearby missouri to illegally vote to sway kansas politics. these illegal voters were known as “border ruffians.” the illegal activity did not stop with politics; the border ruffians engaged in intimidation and violence against anti-slavery settlers. what could have been done to stop the illegal voting? what about the violence?

In order to stop the illegal voting from happening, the federal government should have sent representatives to Kansas. These representatives could have worked at the voting place and asked for proof that the resident lived there.

 However, this system would still be flawed. There is no perfect way to stop voter fraud at this time, as the technology we use today to ensure that people do not vote illegally is nonexistent.

As for the violence, the US government could have sent in the military to stop the violence between these "border ruffians" and settlers.