“One of the biggest threats to our elections and to democracy in general is misinformation and disinformation. Whether intentional or unintentional, both reduce voters’ confidence in the electoral process, and in turn, discourage participation,” acting Pennsylvania Secretary of State Leigh M. Chapman testified in the U.S. Senate.
Ms. Chapman is right. Disinformation poses the greatest threat to trust in this year’s midterm elections. Elections are an easy target for malign actors — both foreign and domestic — looking to harm American democracy. From lawsuits over the proper certification of election results to state laws that prevent the pre-canvassing of ballots and slow the tabulation of election results, the intricacies of election administration present great opportunity for anyone looking to undermine Pennsylvanians’ confidence in the system.
