Georgia voters are hearing from election officials after a video claiming widespread voter fraud in the state began circulating online. The video, which falsely shows a Haitian immigrant with multiple Georgia IDs and claims of voting multiple times, is now at the center of a state-led effort to combat disinformation just days before the 2024 Presidential election.
Just the Facts:
• On Thursday night, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger responded to the video, calling it “false” and part of a coordinated disinformation campaign.
• The video allegedly shows an individual claiming to have multiple Georgia IDs and voting more than once in the current election.
• Raffensperger’s office, in collaboration with state and federal partners, is working to trace the video’s origins and determine the entities behind it.
• The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is currently investigating the video as a likely attempt to disrupt voter confidence and faith in election integrity.
• Secretary Raffensperger specifically called on Elon Musk and other social media platform leaders to remove the video, calling it a “production of Russian troll farms.”
The Statement: Here is Raffensperger’s full statement, presented in its entirety for you to read.
“Earlier today, our office became aware of a video purporting to show a Haitian immigrant with multiple Georgia ID’s claiming to have voted multiple times.
“This is false and is an example of targeted disinformation we’ve seen in this and other elections. It is likely foreign interference attempting to sow discord and chaos on the eve of the 2024 Presidential election.
“We are working to combat this and identify the origin of it with our state and federal partners. CISA is currently investigating. In the meantime, we ask Elon Musk and the leadership of other social media platforms to take this down. This is obviously fake and part of a disinformation effort. Likely it is a production of Russian troll farms.
“As Americans we can’t let our enemies use lies to divide us and undermine our faith in our institutions – or each other.”
In Context: Disinformation has become an increasingly sophisticated tool used to influence public opinion and sway voters’ beliefs about election processes. Officials like Raffensperger have had to address multiple claims of election fraud since the 2020 election cycle, each time reinforcing the need for voters to be wary of unverified online information.
Why It Matters: With Election Day looming, Georgia officials are emphasizing that disinformation efforts can exploit social and political tensions to weaken public trust in voting systems. Such content can cast doubt on election outcomes, impact voter turnout, and influence political discourse at the national level. For Georgia residents, Raffensperger’s call to social media leaders underscores the need for vigilance against false narratives designed to stir division.
What’s Next? The Secretary of State’s office, along with federal agencies, is expected to continue investigating the video. Meanwhile, Georgia voters are encouraged to rely on trusted, official sources for information about voting processes and to report any suspicious activity related to election integrity.
How to Spot Misinformation Before Aunt Sally Shares It in the Family Group Chat
Let’s face it: the internet loves drama, and so does your crazy Aunt Sally. You’re probably already bracing for her next text about some wild video she saw on TikTok or the latest conspiracy she picked up from a “very reliable” Facebook friend. But before you hit “share” yourself, here’s a quick guide on how to spot—and dodge—misinformation.
The Misinformation Playbook:
1. Check the Source, Not TikTok University
TikTok might be a fantastic place for life hacks and dance trends, but it’s not the go-to for reliable election news. If a video seems designed to shock or rile you up, hit pause. Check if a reputable news outlet is covering the same story. If it’s just trending on your cousin’s Snapchat story– maybe take it with a grain of salt.
2. Beware of Anonymous “Insiders”
Your Aunt Sally might love to tell you that a “friend of a friend” has inside info on election fraud, but unless that friend has a name, title, and a credible history of working in elections, you’re probably dealing with a good ol’ game of telephone. Real stories come from actual people with actual jobs in journalism, not from your uncle’s buddy’s dog groomer.
3. Who Benefits From This Story?
Disinformation isn’t just random. If a video or article seems a little too perfectly targeted at making you lose faith in the system, there’s probably a reason. Ask yourself: who would benefit from spreading this? Hint: It’s usually not your local elections office.
4. If It’s “Breaking News” But Nowhere Else, Break Away
If you’ve only seen this “shocking” story in one obscure corner of the internet, chances are it’s either not true or hasn’t been verified. Verified news takes time to spread, and credible outlets don’t just sit on a juicy story. So if Aunt Sally’s post is the only place you’re seeing it, consider that it might be a tad suspicious.
5. Head to Reliable Sources—Not “Pat’s Patriots 1776” or “Woke Warriors Collective”
Social media is great, but your state’s official election website or established news outlets are better for actual facts. Government agencies, local newspapers, and reputable news organizations spend time fact-checking and verifying. If your source doesn’t have a URL you’d share with your boss, it might be worth rethinking.
The Bottom Line: Election misinformation can spread fast, and it feeds off our natural tendency to believe the most sensational stuff. So, before your family group chat explodes, check in with a trusted source. You don’t want to be the next Aunt Sally in someone else’s life.
