My research suggests that while some of the people likely won fair and square (Obama both terms, Reagan 2nd term, e.g.) there has never in the history of the world, much less our country, been a "free and fair" election, i.e. there has never been an election without fuckery "sufficient to change the outcome of the election."

Not once.

Almost every time, the Cabal has controlled both candidates, so it really doesn't even matter if they cheat. At that point it's nothing more than a Cabal faction war at best, or the illusion of choice at worst.