How to Verify Accurate Info

It's crucial that voters take responsibility for the news they absorb. Having the tools to identify disinformation and verify accurate information is critical, both for the voter and for America to maintain a healthy democracy. Here are some helpful tips to consider:

1. Find Reliable Sources of Information

• Go to Official Election Websites: Visit your state or local election office. Your state's Secretary of State's office is a good place to start. vote.gov is also a reliable site that you can trust for accurate info on voting locations, hours and general ballot information. It's also a great place to register to vote or update your registration status.

• Seek Out Reputable News Organizations: Well-established news outlets that highlight accepted journalistic standards, fact-checking and offer transparency about their news gathering methods are good places to find the facts.

• Look for Established Nonpartisan Organizations: Seek out groups like the League of Women Voters, that have been trusted sources for unbiased, nonpartisan information for many years. You can depend on them.

2. Be Aware of Disinformation Strategies

• Recognize that Social Media is Loaded with Inaccurate Info: Election information is especially vulnerable to bad actors on social media. Fraudsters may create phony social media accounts or websites that look real, but aren't. Some sites are constructed to deceive or swindle unsuspecting people.  

• Always Pause Before Sharing Info: Does something sound fishy or too good, or bad, to be true? Take a break before you share that information. if it evokes strong emotions, be especially cautious. You should be conscientious enough to thoroughly examine the source in order to verify its authenticity.

• Double-Check AI Generated Content: AI is in its infancy and is not always reliable. AI is a useful tool, but it's best to rely on trusted, well-founded sources for basic facts and voter information.

• Be Suspicious of Unsolicited Messages: Do not click on links in emails or texts from sources you don't know. The same applies to phone calls from unfamiliar people, particularly if they're aggressive and want you to make a quick decision. They might be trying to cheat you or communicate disinformation.

3. Explore Fact-Checking Websites

• Find Dedicated Fact-Checkers: Independent, nonpartisan fact-checking sites like PolitiFact and FactCheck.org. are excellent places to verify information. Use them.

• Be on the Lookout for Bias: Some fact-checking orgs may have unique procedures. That isn't rare, but if something doesn't feel right, it might not be right. Seek out other fact-checking orgs for a more comprehension understanding of the issue you want to understand. 

4. Do the Work and Analyze the Content 

• Consider the Reputation of the Source: It's up to you to research and analyze the source of the information you are looking for, whether it's a politician, an everyday citizen, an org, or social or traditional media. Take the extra step of investigating their methodologies, competence and history. Look for red flags that might reveal a conflict of interest or partiality.

• Scrutinize the Documentation: Inspect the evidence presented that supports any allegations. Is the evidence confirmable? Does it come from dependable, authentic, unbiased sources? Or does it sound like somebody with a grievance? Take the extra step to find out.

• Question Emotionally Charged Statements: Content that evokes anger or other strong emotions might influence your judgment in unhelpful ways. Emotional content can make people vulnerable to exploitation or manipulation. Always approach such subject matter with a high degree of critical examination.

• Be Suspicious of Overly Dramatic or Exaggerated Opinion: Determine what is factual, unbiased reporting and what are pure opinion pieces. Pinpoint emotionally loaded words, sarcasm, first-person pronouncements, and accusations with no attribution. And when you see tags like "editorial", “opinion” or "commentary," you'll know that's an article with a point of view.

• Look for Transparency: Reputable news sources are transparent and usually don't have a problem sharing their news gathering methods and fact-checking procedures. They'll also usually share their editorial guidelines and some will even post the sources for their funding. 

5. Cross-reference with Diverse Sources

• Never Rely on One Source: Checking multiple reputable sources is critical in verifying accurate information. If various dependable sources report similar info, the likelihood of that narrative being credible is increased.

• Be an Avid Reader: Become familiar with a wide range of viewpoints by examining news from diverse sources with dissimilar political perspectives.

• Consider Multiple Geographic Viewpoints: Exploring how news is communicated in various localities, regions or countries will enable you to acquire a more comprehensive frame of reference.