Preventing Mis- and Disinformation
Our approach for 2024 and beyond
We’re ready to support voters as they make their voices heard, which means we’re taking the risks of mis- and disinformation seriously.
In our current information environment, bad actors can spread election-related disinformation with unprecedented speed through social media and new generative AI technology. Ordinary people can also spread misleading information by mistake online. Because elections are so complex, any incorrect information about voting has the potential to disenfranchise voters.
Thanks to the expertise of election administrators, it is evident that a key part of combatting uncertainty and confusion about elections is to provide voters with reliable, comprehensive information from authoritative government sources. Here’s how we’re preparing to support voters as they navigate these risks:
Leveraging trust
Election disinformation is largely a problem of trust. With so much misleading content online, how can voters know where to look for accurate information? That’s why we partner with organizations that foster strong relationships with their communities to reach users through the sites, apps, and organizations they trust most.
Our election data platform supports well-known government and tech partners while our voter engagement platform TurboVote allows organizations to send voting guides and reminders that can be customized with logos and messages their community members already recognize. From nonprofits like AARP to faith-based groups like My Muslim Vote to academic institutions like University of Florida, our partnerships ensure users can access authoritative voting information through credible organizations that have already earned their confidence.
Emphasizing transparency
To ensure users and partners understand that we procure our information from authoritative government sources, we offer citations confirming the origins of our election data. These citations include time stamps to confirm when the data was last updated by our team. We also offer a thorough account of our robust research process so curious voters can learn about how we ensure our data is accurate and reliable. This fall, our data will include links to government resources about election security so users can better understand how their states protect the vote.
Embracing new technology
Given rising concerns about generative AI’s impact on elections, we published a detailed manual for developers using the Democracy Works Elections API to power generative AI technology. This resource includes a set of best practices for building guardrails related to voting and elections into these tools and explains the risks that can arise when generative AI produces incorrect or misleading information. We are also working with Anthropic, our first generative AI partner, to help the company prevent the misuse of AI in relation to elections and voting. If a US-based user asks Anthropic’s generative AI tool for voting information, the platform’s answer includes a link to TurboVote.
Reaching voters of all backgrounds
Combating mis- and disinformation successfully means providing reliable, accurate voting information to as many voters as possible, especially those who face barriers to casting a ballot. We provide voting guidance in both English and Spanish so speakers of the second most common language in the US can rely on our information. We use inclusive language and follow a set of best practices to make our guidance accessible for people with disabilities. Earlier this year, we launched our youth preregistration tool to help future voters aged 15-17 register to vote as soon as they are eligible. In fall 2024, we’ll also offer information about voting as a student and voting with a past felony conviction.
Having real conversations
TurboVote users can text or email our user support desk if they have questions about voting. Our team is trained to answer election-related questions–including queries about disinformation-prone topics like voter fraud and election security–and direct users to reliable sources of information. By connecting our users with human election experts who can answer their questions with empathy and respect, we build credibility with voters who may feel concerned and uncertain about the election process.
Ready to connect voters with reliable, empowering election information?