In the lead-up to the November 5, 2024, US presidential election, a surge of misinformation related to voting and election fraud is dominating online discourse. Allegations of irregularities are proliferating across social media platforms and dedicated message boards, with numerous claims being promoted by independent groups and Republican affiliates. Even some Democratic posts have contributed to this climate, but the majority of the misleading content is rooted in support for former President Donald Trump, who continues to propagate the false narrative that he was robbed of victory in 2020. Reports indicate that foreign actors, particularly from Russia, are also involved, disseminating manipulated videos aimed at eroding public confidence in the electoral process.
Trump’s rhetoric has further intensified the situation. In the midst of an election campaign dominated by allegations of fraud, he recently claimed, “Pennsylvania is cheating,” urging supporters to report supposed election misconduct. Despite his incendiary claims, local election officials, including Pennsylvania’s Republican election leader, have asserted that investigations into voter registration applications will actually reinforce the integrity of the electoral process. They urge voters to be wary of disinformation tactics, emphasizing the importance of factual information over viral misconceptions.
Reports indicate that misleading content about voting irregularities is gaining traction, with some posts accumulating millions of views. False narratives about non-citizen voting, electronic voting machine malfunctions, and other improprieties are circulating widely. Videos portraying dubious voting scenarios have been debunked, yet they continue to fuel speculation and distrust. For instance, a misleading video of a postal worker delivering ballots was seen by over five million viewers, only to be later confirmed as harmless. The ease with which misinformation spreads poses a substantial obstacle for election officials who strive to assure voters of the electoral system’s reliability.
The echoes of misinformation from the contentious 2020 election are palpable, prompting fears of further erosion of public trust and potential violence. Wendy Via, from the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism (GPAHE), notes that far-right activists appear to be mobilizing earlier than in the past, spurred by conspiracy theories that suggest an imminent theft of the election from Trump. As accusations of fraud circulate, supporters express increasingly dire beliefs that only malfeasance could prevent their favored candidate from winning, underlining a troubling trend that blurs the line between anecdotal claims of fraud and the stark reality of the electoral process.
While instances of election-related fraud do occur, experts assert that they are isolated, and evidence supporting claims of widespread cheating is lacking. Dramatized social media posts highlighting these rare incidents contribute to an exaggerated narrative of electoral malfeasance. For example, an incident in southern California involving ballots found in a storm drain was quickly interpreted as evidence of a systematic plot rather than an administrative error. Such incidents are being harnessed by those who advocate conspiratorial views, consequently undermining the legitimacy of the electoral process.
Various groups, including True The Vote and others pushing voter integrity agendas, are playing crucial roles in amplifying and monitoring these allegations. Their activities include crowdsourcing claims of election irregularities and scrutinizing ballot drop boxes. Despite the reported robustness of election safeguards, these organizations further complicate the narrative surrounding election integrity. Elon Musk’s political action committee has also created a forum for users to share rumors related to voting, promoting an environment rich with unverifiable information. The comprehensive nature of this misinformation campaign raises significant concerns, as experts warn that the fallout could affect public perception of the election well after ballots are counted and results are communicated.