Before sharing an election claim, check who produced it, verify any voting procedure with your state or local election office, and look for independent confirmation. If you cannot verify it, pause rather than forwarding it as fact. An unverified claim is not automatically false—but amplifying it can mislead other voters.
Start with the claim, not the post
Pause before reposting, forwarding, or quoting a claim as true. The FBI’s Election Crimes and Security guidance frames the first question simply: “Can I trust this information?” Treat that as a prompt to check the source and evidence, not as a yes-or-no test based on how convincing a post looks.
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Find the earliest available source
Check who created the material, who published it, when it appeared, and what location or election it concerns. Follow links to see whether they lead to the claimed official notice or original document. A screenshot, copied excerpt, official-looking logo, or dramatic video can be reposted without its original context; none verifies the claim by itself.
Ask what the post wants you to do
Consider whether the content is trying to inform, persuade, provoke, or prompt an immediate action such as changing where or when you vote. The FBI advises readers to consider both who produced election information and its intent. A strong emotional appeal is a reason to slow down and check—not proof that the claim is false.
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Verify voting rules with the right election office
Election procedures are administered by states and local jurisdictions. Confirm registration, polling place, voting hours, identification requirements, voting methods, and results with the election office responsible for your location. Do not assume a rule or date from another state—or another country—applies to you.
Navigate to your state or local election office independently instead of relying on a link in a suspicious message. The FBI also points voters to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and USA.gov voting information as resources. For a location-specific procedure or last-minute change, check the relevant official election notice.
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Dates, deadlines, polling places, and rules can change. Check official local information close to the election, especially before acting on a message that says a polling place has moved or voting hours have changed.
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Turn a broad or alarming post into a concrete question you can check: Is there a named polling-place change? Is a particular system outage being reported? What discrepancy is alleged, and where? Then look for an official statement and confirmation from another reliable source with direct access to relevant evidence.
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Assess sources by their authority for the jurisdiction, access to primary evidence, corroboration from independent reliable sources, date and context, and record of correcting errors. These are practical checks, not a formal score. Two accounts repeating the same unsupported post do not necessarily amount to independent confirmation.
The FBI and CISA’s October 6, 2022 public-service announcement advises: “If the information is not from a credible source or if a second reliable source cannot be found, consider not sharing it as you may be inadvertently amplifying misinformation.” The advice is especially useful for claims about election-system problems or discrepancies.
Lack of corroboration does not prove a claim false. It means the claim remains unresolved: wait for reliable confirmation and do not circulate it as fact.
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Watch for misleading formats without treating format as proof
Election claims can spread through social networks, text messages, email, messaging apps, spoofed websites, or inauthentic media. A familiar platform does not make a claim reliable, and a polished video or official-looking page does not establish authenticity. Trace the claim back to its source and verify its substance through relevant officials and independent reporting.
AI-generated content presents a similar challenge. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission’s guidance on combatting AI-generated mis- and disinformation is a resource for understanding the issue. An AI detector result is not a standalone truth test: it cannot replace checking the source, context, and underlying claim.
A November 4, 2024 joint statement from ODNI, the FBI, and CISA described manufactured videos and articles around that election and urged voters to rely on trusted official sources, particularly state and local election officials. Those examples are reports about the 2024 election, not evidence that the same operations are active now.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to do when you still cannot confirm it
- Do not share it as fact. If you need to discuss it, make clear that it is unverified and avoid repeating details that could misdirect voters.
- Use the platform’s reporting tools if the content appears deceptive or violates its rules.
- Report suspected election crime through the FBI’s current official guidance. The FBI says suspected voter-suppression messages may be reported through IC3; consult its Election Crimes and Security page for the appropriate current channel.
Keep separate issues separate
A claim that voter-registration information was exposed does not by itself show that ballots or vote counting were compromised. In its October 6, 2022 announcement, the FBI and CISA said voter-registration information may be publicly available and that the agencies had no information at that time suggesting the described cyber activity affected ballot integrity. That statement is limited to the activity and assessment described in the 2022 announcement; it is not a current assessment of every incident.
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Likewise, unfamiliar or alarming information is not automatically misinformation. Verify the precise claim, its date, and the relevant jurisdiction before drawing a conclusion. If reliable confirmation is not available, leave it unresolved and do not amplify it.
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