One of the most widespread challenges facing modern elections is false information. In Illinois, officials say misinformation and disinformation schemes are getting more aggressive.
“As we get closer to Election Day, I think we’re going to have more and more misinformation schemes,” said Marisel Hernandez, chairwoman of the Chicago Board of Elections. “But we’re determined to be ahead of the curve and be out there letting voters know what is correct and what isn’t.”
The Tribune has fact-checked reported scams circulating in Illinois. Here are facts to know leading up to Nov. 3:
- Voting more than once in an election is illegal
- There is no such thing as voting online or through text
- Nothing in the voter registration system indicates party affiliation
- Voter information is not being sold or redistributed
- Illinois upgraded its cyber defenses to prevent hacking and scams, and
- Don’t interact with social media posts from untrusted sources
Read explanations of each of the points laid out above in the Chicago Tribune article here.
Editorial note: Granted, most of these facts are obvious to many of our readers. But we’re constantly amazed (and sometimes troubled) to learn what is actually news to some which is why we’re sharing this story.