Maryland Launches ‘Defenders of Democracy’ Initiative to Combat Election Misinformation

In a strategic move coinciding with Media Literacy Week, the Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) has launched its “Defenders of Democracy” initiative aimed at combating election misinformation across the state. The campaign calls on Maryland residents to actively verify election information and report false claims that could undermine electoral integrity.

The initiative comes at a critical time when social media platforms continue to be flooded with unverified information about voting procedures, eligibility requirements, and election processes. With the increasing sophistication of misinformation campaigns targeting democratic institutions, Maryland officials are taking proactive steps to safeguard the electoral system.

“Media Literacy Week is the perfect moment to highlight the power every Maryland voter has to fight back against disinformation,” said Jared DeMarinis, State Administrator of Elections. “When you see something false, don’t ignore it. Report it, get the facts from us, and then share the truth. That collective action is what makes Maryland voters true Defenders of Democracy.”

Central to the initiative is the state’s online disinformation and misinformation reporting portal, which allows citizens to flag suspicious content related to elections. The portal, accessible at the state elections website, empowers voters to take a three-step approach: report questionable information, verify facts from official sources, and share accurate information within their communities.

Election integrity experts have long warned that targeted misinformation campaigns can have real consequences for voter turnout and public trust. False claims about polling locations, registration deadlines, mail-in ballot procedures, or preliminary results can create confusion and potentially disenfranchise eligible voters. The SBE’s initiative aims to counter these threats by establishing a clear channel for verification and correction.

The timing of this campaign is particularly significant, as Maryland prepares for upcoming election cycles in an increasingly complex information environment. Media Literacy Week, observed annually across the United States, promotes critical thinking skills and responsible engagement with all forms of media – skills that election officials now recognize as essential to democratic participation.

“Democracy depends on informed voters,” DeMarinis emphasized. “By reporting disinformation and sharing accurate information, Marylanders are defending the very foundation of free and fair elections. Remember, the State Board is always ready and there to correct the record.”

The initiative represents part of a broader national trend of state election authorities taking more active roles in information verification. While election boards have traditionally focused on administrative aspects of voting, many are now developing media literacy programs and public education campaigns to combat the growing tide of election-related falsehoods.

For Maryland specifically, the “Defenders of Democracy” program builds on existing efforts to modernize and secure the state’s election infrastructure. Officials are encouraging residents to make the official elections website (elections.maryland.gov) their primary source for voting information, rather than relying on unverified social media posts or forwarded messages.

Election security advocates have praised the approach as a necessary evolution in protecting democratic processes. By distributing responsibility for information integrity across the citizenry rather than centralizing it solely within government agencies, the initiative acknowledges the vital role ordinary citizens play in maintaining democratic norms.

The SBE has emphasized that the campaign is nonpartisan and focused exclusively on factual accuracy rather than political content. The goal, according to officials, is simply to ensure that all eligible voters can access accurate information about when, where, and how to cast their ballots.

As disinformation tactics continue to evolve, Maryland’s proactive stance could serve as a model for other states seeking to protect election integrity through citizen engagement and media literacy education rather than through technical solutions alone.