Before You Share That Election Claim, Take These Five Steps

1. Identify the exact claim. “Something suspicious happened” is not verifiable. Name the location, time, procedure and alleged event.

2. Find the original source. A screenshot of a post is not the post. A clipped video is not the full recording. Trace the material backward.

3. Check time and place. Old footage and images from other jurisdictions are routinely recirculated during elections.

4. Consult the responsible election office. Local officials can explain procedures and confirm whether an incident affected voting. A delayed answer is not evidence that the claim is true.

5. Look for independent confirmation. Reputable local journalists and multiple witnesses with direct knowledge provide more value than thousands of accounts repeating the same source.

If the evidence remains unclear, wait. Sharing a rumor with a question mark still shares the rumor. When correcting false information, lead with the verified fact and link readers to the official source.