THE 2024 US presidential election billed for Tuesday, November 5 will determine the country’s leadership and set the course of policy and governance for the next four years.
With Republicans’ Donald J. Trump and Democrats’ Kamala Harris as the top contenders in this election, it is expected to focus on key issues like economic policy, healthcare, climate change, foreign relations, immigrant rights and social justice.
Given the polarized political landscape and ongoing debates around voting access, misinformation, and election integrity, the race is anticipated to be scrutinized intensively both within the United States and globally.
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As with previous elections, misinformation has flooded online and social platforms, with a notable increase in deepfake content targeting prominent candidates like Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald J. Trump.
Voters should be on the lookout for these manipulative tactics, which may include false portrayals of candidates making inflammatory statements or engaging in unethical behavior.
Understanding and identifying deepfake technology, along with other misinformation tactics like false claims about voting requirements, fabricated polling location closures, and incorrect result projections, is essential for navigating this election with critical thinking skill to avoid being misled with false narratives.
The FactCheckHub has compiled some types of election-related misinformation to watch out for, how to report misinformation on social media platforms and where and how to verify information.
Election-related misinformation to watch out for
False claims about voting processes
Common misinformation includes false eligibility rules, incorrect election dates, misleading polling location information, and claims that people can vote by text or social media—all of which are FALSE.
Additionally, some posts may wrongly suggest extra documentation is needed at the polls, while others spread rumors of tampered voting machines or materials to undermine trust. These tactics aim to mislead voters and erode confidence in the election process.
AFP had also reported some voting falsehoods being spread by misinformation purveyors.
Misleading polls and statistics
Misleading polls and statistics are a common form of election-related misinformation that can shape public perception by distorting support for candidates.
For instance, polls with small sample sizes or selective reporting may exaggerate a candidate’s lead or downplay their opposition, creating a false sense of momentum. This can discourage voter turnout or sway undecided voters based on an illusion of popular opinion.
By carefully timing these misleading poll releases, campaigns or interest groups may attempt to influence voter behavior and erode trust in legitimate polling, contributing to a larger environment of election misinformation.
Disinformation about candidates
Disinformation targeting candidates, including fake news and doctored media, has intensified during this year’s U.S. election, with advanced deepfakes being deployed to spread convincing but false depictions of prominent figures like Trump and Harris. These deepfakes, which can make it appear as if candidates have said or done things they haven’t, quickly circulate on social media, influencing perceptions and reinforcing biases before fact-checking can intervene.
Earlier in March this year, the BBC reported how some Trump supporters target black voters with AI faked images, as Elon Musk also shares manipulated Harris video, thus violating the X platform’s policies.
Amidst the surge in AI-generated Trump and Harris voices, the Washington Post has listed how to avoid falling victim to audio deepfakes of the leading contenders. The platform also published a report which shows how Russian documents it reviewed expose the workings of a Moscow network that has become a potent source of fake news targeting American voters.
Such election-related misinformation is especially harmful, as it damages candidates’ reputations and sows doubt among voters about what is real, eroding trust in legitimate information sources and likely to cast doubt on the election integrity.
Verifying Information
Many false or misleading claims can be countered by checking credible news outlets, official election websites, and reputable fact-checking organizations.
Additionally, it’s important to be aware of confirmation bias, or the tendency to accept information that aligns with one’s views. By acknowledging this bias, individuals can stay objective and better assess information, avoiding the trap of believing unverified or biased sources.
For fact-checking resources, turn to trusted organizations like FactCheckHub, FactCheck.org, PolitiFact, Snopes, AFP Fact Check and The Washington Post’s Fact Checker etc.
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These platforms help ensure that voters are informed with accurate information and are better equipped to navigate the complex landscape of election-related content.
To learn how to report misinformation on different social media platforms, you can read this report here and here. You may also reach out to us at The FactCheckHub to help quickly verify any information relating to ongoing 2024 US election here via WhatsApp.
Seasoned fact-checker and researcher Fatimah Quadri has written numerous fact-checks, explainers, and media literacy pieces for The FactCheckHub in an effort to combat information disorder. She can be reached at sunmibola_q on X or [email protected].
