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Rumors, misleading allegations, and outright lies about voting and fraud are inundating online platforms at an unprecedented rate ahead of the US election. Numerous incidents of supposed voting irregularities are being gathered and shared by individuals, as well as by independent and Republican-affiliated groups. A few posts are also originating from Democrats. This surge of claims online presents a challenge to election officials who must debunk rumors, reassure voters, and prepare for Election Day on Tuesday.
In most cases, these posts support the false claim by the Trump campaign that the former president won the 2020 election and insinuate that he may once again be cheated out of victory on November 5th. When asked if he would accept the 2024 election result, Donald Trump stated during a presidential debate in September that he would do so if it was a “fair, legal, and good election.” However, a CNN/SSRS poll released on Monday revealed that 70% of Americans expect him to reject the result if he loses.
Just this week, Trump himself alleged widespread fraud in a crucial swing state. “Pennsylvania is cheating, and getting caught, at large scale levels rarely seen before,” he posted on his Truth Social network. “REPORT CHEATING TO AUTHORITIES. Law Enforcement must act, NOW!” While Trump and his allies seized on these announcements, the state’s top election official, Republican Al Schmidt, cautioned against misinformation circulating on social media.
The BBC has identified hundreds of allegations of election fraud online, on social networks, and in chat groups. Some of these posts have garnered millions of views each. The posts have suggested that it is easy for non-citizens to vote, made false claims about voting machines, and cast doubt on the ballot-counting process. However, experts warn that this misinformation could undermine trust in the election results or incite threats and violence prior to and after the election.
In the lead-up to the election and beyond, it is crucial to address the spread of misinformation and debunk false claims to protect the integrity of the democratic process.”