disinfo

Don't amplify disinformation!

It sounds mundane, but it really can make a huge difference.

Jon

31 Oct 2026 • 2 min read

via raelyn.info, in partnership with Voter Participation Corps

Also published on the Voting Rights News Leaflet.

Disinformation and rumors about the 2026 election are already in high gear will be getting steadily more intense between now and Election Day and in the post-Election Day stages of counting ballots, lawsuits, and certifying results.

So please, please, please, please, PLEASE ... don't help the people trying to undercut the elections by giving the rumors and disinformation more oxygen.

3 ways to fight election disinformation and rumors is a deep dive on three key techniques. But it's long! So here's a shorter post focusing on the single most important thing you can do, with links if you want to explore more.

Terminology note:

Misinformation is information that's false or misleading, but not necessarily intentionally.
Disinformation, on the other hand, is information that's intentionally false or misleading.
Rumors may or may not be true.

Kate Starbird's What’s the difference between misinformation and disinformation? and Facts, frames, and (mis)interpretations: Understanding rumors as collective sensemaking go into more detail.

Don't amplify disinfo! Think before you engage or share. Avoid sharing headlines that include the disinfo. Be careful! Researches and comments actually amplify disinformation, even if you're trying to debunk it. — *From Shireen Mitchell’s 2020 short video* *All of us have been targeted by disinformation**. Shireen's* *Deep Dive on Fighting Back Against Disinfo* *has more.*

And similarly, don't amplify rumors. For example, Kate Starbird suggests:

"Consider: Instead of posting rumors from other locations about ICE at the polls, post your or other's stories from your local community about successful voting & polling locations that are clear, b/c it will be just as important to know where it IS safe to vote."

And the same principle applies to rage bait and other propaganda as well. A good recent example:

A Bluesky post from Rafa Sales Ross. I’m not a political journalist, so was gladly surprised at the community I found here last night. To Americans anxious about the upcoming elections, a key thing we learned in Brazil that might help you: DO NOT engage with the far-right online. Don’t share rage bait. Amplify your people. Ignore them

It sounds mundane, but it really can make a huge difference. A good recent example:

So please, please, please, please, PLEASE ... don't amplify disinfo!

Image: somebody typing the words "OMG DID YOU SEE THIS". Text: How to not amplify disinfo. Don't feed the algorithm. When you see something that makes you mad: 1. DON’T repost on social media 2. DON’T comment trying to outsmart them, this attracts more attention to the post 3. ONLY IF the post is already popular, DO comment with vetted debugging info. 4. DO take a screenshot if you must share, and share only through email, messenger, etc. 5. DO educate your community to exercise the same discipline. Reframe. — ReFrame on How to NOT amplify disinfo, via Twitter (2020)

For more information on rumors and disinformation in the 2026 midterms:

UW CIP's 6 moves of ‘rigged election’ rumors and Themes to Expect are great overviews
UW Center for the Informed Public's excellent Election Rumor Research series has overviews like 6 moves of ‘rigged election’ rumors and Themes to Expect as well as discussions of machines switching votes, 'ballot dumping', and fake polls; AI-driven disinformation is running rampant on social media and more.
The Brennan Center's Anticipating Election Misinformation in the 2026 Midterms is a good overview of threats and likely themes
3 ways to fight election disinformation and rumors, my own deep dive.