Addressing Misinformation and Disinformation in Elections – League of Women Voters Report

Foreign governments and special interests groups have dramatically increased the spread of misinformation and disinformation across U.S. digital platforms, creating new challenges for America’s democratic institutions as the 2024 election cycle approaches.

Intelligence officials and digital security experts warn that false narratives are now circulating faster and reaching wider audiences than in previous election cycles, with more sophisticated tactics making it increasingly difficult for voters to distinguish fact from fiction.

“What we’re seeing is an unprecedented level of coordinated information warfare,” said Dr. Eleanor Simmons, director of the Digital Democracy Initiative at Georgetown University. “Unlike in 2016 or 2020, today’s misinformation campaigns are employing advanced AI technologies that can create highly convincing fake content tailored specifically for different demographic groups.”

The surge in misleading content comes as social media platforms struggle to balance content moderation with free speech concerns. Recent policy changes at major platforms like Twitter (now X) have rolled back some verification processes that previously helped users identify trustworthy sources.

According to a recent Pew Research Center study, approximately 64% of Americans report encountering misleading information about political or social issues at least weekly, with nearly half expressing low confidence in their ability to identify fabricated content.

Security analysts have identified several key vulnerabilities in the current information ecosystem. Particularly concerning is the targeting of local news environments, where declining journalism resources have created information vacuums easily filled by questionable sources.

“Local communities are especially vulnerable,” explained Maria Hernandez, former cybersecurity advisor to the Department of Homeland Security. “When trusted local news outlets disappear, people turn to social media for information about their communities, opening doors for bad actors to fill that void with content that appears local but actually serves foreign interests.”

Election officials across multiple states have reported an uptick in false narratives about voting processes, with particular emphasis on mail-in balloting and electronic voting systems. These campaigns often blend factual information with fabricated claims, making them particularly difficult to debunk.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has established a cross-agency task force specifically focused on protecting election information integrity. Their recent report highlights how misinformation increasingly targets specific communities with customized messaging designed to suppress voter participation or create distrust in electoral outcomes.

“What’s particularly troubling is how these campaigns exploit real societal tensions,” said Dr. James Washington of the Election Integrity Project. “They take legitimate concerns about inflation, immigration, or crime and weave them together with fabricated claims about specific candidates or voting processes.”

Media literacy experts emphasize that voters must develop stronger critical thinking skills when consuming information online. The News Literacy Project has launched initiatives in several battleground states to help voters evaluate sources, recognize emotional manipulation tactics, and verify claims before sharing content.

“The most effective defense is an informed public,” said Samantha Chen, digital literacy coordinator at the League of Women Voters. “We’re encouraging voters to slow down, check sources, and ask critical questions before accepting or sharing information, especially content that triggers strong emotional reactions.”

Tech companies have announced new initiatives to combat misleading content, including enhanced fact-checking partnerships and more transparent labeling of AI-generated content. However, critics argue these efforts remain insufficient given the scale and sophistication of current disinformation operations.

National security officials have confirmed that multiple foreign governments are actively working to influence American public opinion through coordinated information operations, though they note that domestic sources also contribute significantly to the problem.

As the primary season approaches, election officials urge voters to seek information directly from official election websites and verified local news sources when looking for factual information about voting procedures.

“Democracy depends on shared facts and trusted information sources,” said Chen. “When we lose that common ground, we become vulnerable not just to foreign interference but to domestic division that undermines our ability to function as a democratic society.”