2024 Election Misinformation Debunked: Facts on Voting Myths \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ With early voting underway for the 2024 U.S. election, false and misleading information has circulated online, particularly in key states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia. False claims include Trump ballots being destroyed, exaggerated voter rolls, and voting machines altering ballots. Election officials and fact-checkers have actively countered these narratives, emphasizing the security and transparency of voting systems.
2024 Election Misinformation: Fact-Checking Key Claims and Myths
- Video Fabrications: Fake video claims of Trump ballots destroyed in Pennsylvania.
- Voter Roll Misunderstandings: Michigan’s voter roll numbers clarified; no evidence of fraud.
- Vote Flipping Rumors: Georgia confirms Dominion voting machines are not altering votes.
- Court Dismissal: A lawsuit challenging Michigan’s voter list maintenance was dismissed.
- Voter Confidence: State officials stress secure systems and accurate records to combat misinformation.
Deep Look
As the 2024 U.S. presidential election heats up, so too has the spread of misinformation, with viral claims casting doubt on voting processes in key battleground states. This misinformation ranges from fabricated videos to misleading statistics and has raised concerns about the security and accuracy of the election process. Election officials in states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia have responded promptly, working with fact-checkers to clarify information for voters. Here is a closer look at these claims, what is true, and how officials are addressing the concerns.
1. Fabricated Video Claims of Trump Ballots Destroyed in Pennsylvania
Claim: Social media users circulated a video purporting to show ballots marked for Donald Trump being destroyed in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, while ballots for Vice President Kamala Harris were set aside to be counted.
Fact: The Bucks County Board of Elections confirmed that the video is fake. In an official statement released Thursday, the board emphasized that the materials shown in the video, including the envelopes, were not authentic and were not part of any official materials used by Bucks County’s election offices. Election officials have reported the incident to law enforcement, calling the video “dangerous misinformation” designed to undermine public trust.
The video’s circulation highlights a broader trend of election-related misinformation. The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, in coordination with the Yardley Borough Police Department, quickly investigated and determined that the video was fabricated. Their findings underscore that the video was part of an effort to erode confidence in election processes. The social media user who posted the video has previously shared false narratives linked to a Russian disinformation network called Storm-1516, or CopyCop, suggesting the video may have been part of a larger foreign influence campaign targeting American voters.
2. Misinformation on Michigan’s Voter Rolls
Claim: A viral claim, shared widely across social media, including by tech mogul Elon Musk, alleged that Michigan has 500,000 more registered voters than eligible citizens, implying widespread voter fraud.
Fact: This claim is misleading and lacks context. Michigan’s registered voter count includes both active and inactive voters, which can lead to confusion over the total numbers. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson addressed the misinformation directly, explaining that the state has 7.2 million active registered voters and 7.9 million eligible citizens of voting age. The difference stems from 1.2 million inactive voters who remain on the rolls due to federal and state laws governing voter registration maintenance.
Inactive voters include individuals who haven’t voted for six years or who failed to respond to residency confirmation notices. Federal and state regulations require that these voters remain on rolls through two additional federal election cycles before they can be removed if no further voting activity is recorded. This process, designed to prevent accidental disenfranchisement, contributes to the discrepancy between eligible voters and total registrations, particularly in states like Michigan that actively maintain voter rolls.
Elon Musk’s comments, in which he directly accused Benson of “blatantly lying” and warned of potential fraud, sparked widespread reaction online. Benson responded publicly, correcting Musk’s statements and outlining Michigan’s approach to voter list maintenance. She stated, “Let’s be clear: @elonmusk is spreading dangerous disinformation,” while clarifying that the state routinely removes inactive voters in accordance with federal law. Benson’s office reported that Michigan has already canceled over 800,000 voter registrations since 2019, including for residents who have relocated, passed away, or personally requested removal.
Federal law mandates that every state, except for six states exempt from the National Voter Registration Act, send cancellation notices to inactive voters and wait for two federal election cycles without any voting activity before removal. These protocols are part of maintaining accurate and updated voter rolls across the nation.
3. False Claims of Vote Flipping by Dominion Voting Machines in Georgia
Claim: A claim originating with U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene alleged that a Dominion voting machine in Whitfield County, Georgia, had flipped a voter’s selection during early voting.
Fact: This claim was debunked by Whitfield County election officials, who clarified that the incident was due to voter error rather than any issue with the machine. The county’s Board of Elections reported that the single voter involved noticed a discrepancy between their intended vote and the printed ballot and was assisted in spoiling the original ballot and re-casting a corrected one. Georgia law allows voters to spoil a ballot if they make an error on the ballot-marking device, ensuring they can cast their intended vote.
Gabriel Sterling, COO for the Georgia Secretary of State’s office, stated that investigations found no machine errors. Sterling attributed claims of vote-flipping to user mistakes, where voters may unintentionally mark incorrect selections on the touchscreen devices. The machines used in Georgia generate printed ballots for voter review before final submission, allowing any mistakes to be corrected. This clarification underscores Georgia’s commitment to secure and accurate voting processes.
Context: Election Security Measures and Public Misinformation
With misinformation increasing as the election nears, election officials across the U.S. have underscored their commitment to transparency and accuracy. Claims of fraud or vote tampering have been met with immediate responses from state officials, particularly in states where mail-in voting and electronic systems are frequently targeted by false claims. Experts in election security highlight that the complex but rigorous processes in place ensure the validity of votes and reinforce public trust.
For example, in Michigan, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and election experts explained that the apparent discrepancy in voter rolls is due to proactive list maintenance measures. Michigan’s approach has served as a model, with over 800,000 outdated registrations removed since 2019. This includes addresses changed or deaths recorded, demonstrating the diligence required to keep voter lists accurate and legally compliant.
Similarly, Georgia’s election system emphasizes accountability, with procedures in place to verify every vote cast. As in Whitfield County, safeguards allow voters to review their selections on paper ballots before final submission, ensuring that unintentional selections can be corrected and that electronic systems align with voters’ intentions. These checks and balances reassure voters that even small errors are addressed in real time.
Conclusion: Ensuring Accurate Information in a Critical Election
The U.S. election system relies on transparency, procedural rigor, and responsiveness to maintain public trust in the voting process. With claims circulating widely online, voters are encouraged to verify information through official channels, such as state election boards or trusted fact-checking sources like the Associated Press and FactCheck.org. Misleading information about voter rolls, ballot integrity, and voting technology can erode confidence in electoral systems, making vigilance and timely correction of falsehoods essential.
As election officials and watchdog groups work to combat misinformation, they also highlight the role of informed citizens in maintaining electoral integrity. Proactive voter education and open communication from officials help ensure that voting remains a secure, transparent process. In an age of widespread misinformation, these efforts are vital to reinforcing voter confidence and upholding the democratic process.
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