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Before sharing a post about voting, trace it to its original source and check the claim with the election office responsible for your area. A repost, screenshot, urgent warning, or convincing-looking video is not proof. For U.S. voting dates, hours, registration, polling places, ballot rules, and results, use the relevant state or local election authority.
How can you tell whether election information is true?
Use a short verification routine: identify who first made the claim, check its date and context, confirm practical voting details with the responsible election office, and look for reliable independent corroboration. If you cannot confirm it, do not share it as fact.
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- Trace the original source. A screenshot, forwarded message, clipped video, or repost can hide who made the claim and when. Follow links back to the original page or statement if possible. CISA cautions that people may encounter shared posts without knowing the true source of a link or email. CISA’s election disinformation toolkit advises readers to think twice before sharing.
- Check the claim with the election authority for your jurisdiction. For voting logistics or election administration, consult the official state or local election website, its verified account, or contact the office directly. The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) provides links to state and territory election websites in its voter resources.
- Check for credible corroboration. Compare the claim with reputable reporting and other reliable sources. The FBI and CISA advise the public to evaluate sources critically and seek verified information from election officials and reputable news media in their October 6, 2022 public service announcement.
- Pause when a post is designed to provoke. Sensational wording, anger, or pressure to share quickly are reasons to scrutinize a claim. They are not, by themselves, proof that it is false.
- Verify media that looks or sounds official. Text, images, audio, and video can be used to imitate election officials. The EAC’s guidance on AI and election administration, published June 3, 2026, warns that AI-generated information can sound plausible while being inaccurate. Confirm consequential details through official channels.
The EAC’s voter FAQ puts the question plainly: “How can I tell if election information is a rumor or reality?” Its advice is to check with a local elections official before passing a claim on.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhere should you verify voting information?
Start with the election authority responsible for the place and election named in the claim. Election rules are jurisdiction-specific: a correct instruction for one state or locality may not apply elsewhere. For U.S. voters, the EAC’s Frequently Asked Questions Toolkit links to state and territory election sites.
#1 Best Overall
Check the date as well as the source. A real announcement may be old, refer to a different election, or omit context that changes its meaning. When a post gives practical instructions—such as where or when to vote—use the current information from the responsible election office rather than relying on a forwarded message.
What warning signs should make you stop and check?
- The original author, source, or publication date is missing or difficult to find.
- The post urges immediate sharing or uses sensational language to provoke fear or anger.
- A screenshot, clip, or image is presented without a link to its original context.
- A message or media file appears to come from an election official but cannot be confirmed through the official office’s own channels.
- A voting rule is presented as universal without naming the state, locality, or election it applies to.
These are cues to verify, not a verdict. A post can be emotional and accurate, or calm and misleading; assess the source, context, and evidence rather than treating presentation as proof.
Rank #2
Misinformation, disinformation, and misleading context
CISA distinguishes among three terms. Misinformation is false information not created or shared with intent to cause harm. Disinformation is false information deliberately created to mislead, harm, or manipulate. Malinformation is fact used out of context to mislead, harm, or manipulate. A reader can check whether a claim is accurate and presented in context without guessing the poster’s intent.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
What should you do with a questionable post?
- If you cannot verify it, do not amplify it. Avoid forwarding it as fact, even if you add a warning; sharing can still spread the claim.
- If it concerns voting in your area, contact the state or local election office. That is the appropriate first stop for questions about local procedures or suspected misinformation, disinformation, voter intimidation, or voter fraud. The EAC Office of Inspector General explains that these voter concerns should go to state or local election officials, not to its OIG, on its reporting guidance page (accessed October 4, 2026).
- Use a platform’s reporting tools where appropriate. Social platforms may offer ways to report election-related disinformation.
- Separate an uncertain post from a suspected crime. The FBI and CISA advise reporting potential election crimes—such as intentional disinformation about the manner, time, or place of voting—to a local FBI field office. This is a separate step from checking an unverified claim with election officials.
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