Grassroots Strategies To Combat Election Related Misinformation

Targeted, local engagement with communities coupled with civic education are effective strategies to strengthen information ecosystems, alongside national and international efforts focused on laws and regulation. By Gabriel Marmentini & Jeanine Abrams McLean Sep. 16, 2024 Over the last decade, democracies around the world have seen the steady decay of civic trust, the rise of hyperpolarization, the growth of cooperation among authoritarian powers, and a host of ever-evolving threats to... Misinformation (misleading information) and disinformation (deliberately false information) impede the informed decision-making of voters, but also undermine and erode trust in the media, government, and electoral processes. As countries navigate these challenges, grassroots strategies in combating the spread and influence of harmful and inaccurate information have proven to be a vital and effective complement to policy strategies and interventions.

Effective grassroots organizations are trusted voices that are uniquely positioned to identify misinformation that impacts the communities they serve, to implement strategies to combat misinformation, and to build communities that are resilient to future... These strategies include: (1) using education (civic, democratic, and media) to strengthen information ecosystems; (2) developing long-term civil society coalitions for fact-checking and community building; and (3) conducting localized community engagement activities and amplify... By leveraging direct connections with communities, grassroots efforts complement and enhance the impact and efficacy of policy-based tactics designed to strengthen information ecosystems, during and between election cycles. Grassroots Strategies: A Vital Frontline Defense Against Misinformation The past decade has witnessed a disturbing erosion of civic trust, a surge in hyperpolarization, and a growing alliance among authoritarian regimes globally. Compounding these challenges is the proliferation of misinformation and disinformation, which not only obstructs informed decision-making by voters but also undermines faith in essential institutions like the media, government, and electoral processes.

While policy interventions are crucial, grassroots strategies have emerged as a powerful and effective complement in combating this infodemic. These organizations, deeply rooted in their communities, are uniquely positioned to identify and counter harmful information, fostering resilience against future manipulation tactics. Grassroots organizations leverage their intimate community connections to bolster and amplify the impact of policy-driven initiatives aimed at fortifying information ecosystems. They employ three core strategies: education (civic, democratic, and media literacy) to enhance information ecosystems; long-term civil society coalitions for fact-checking and community building; and localized community engagement activities that amplify trusted voices to... These approaches, while adaptable across diverse democratic contexts, require careful tailoring to local nuances through direct community engagement. Education: Empowering Citizens with Critical Thinking Skills

Strengthening information ecosystems requires locally relevant education, encompassing civic, democratic, and media literacy. Civic education equips citizens with diverse political knowledge and the tools to participate effectively in the production of trustworthy information. Democratic education fosters autonomy and establishes the foundational principles for a healthy, tolerant society. Media education cultivates understanding of information sources, including alternative and independent media, enabling critical evaluation of information. Kwaku Krobea Asante (right) presents information on fact-checking during Ghana's recent election, at a panel on fighting electoral disinformation campaigns at GIJC25. Image: Samsul Said, Alt Studio for GIJN

Two AI-powered news anchors introduced themselves to reporters at the 14th Global Investigative Journalism Conference (GIJC25) in Malaysia. They were created not to spread disinformation, but to fight it. “They (our editors) wanted to leverage the trust that the media outlets were willing to place in two aviators to disseminate the content,” one of the AI anchors said in a Venezuelan accent, explaining... Created by CONNECTAS, a Latin American investigative journalism network, AI-generated avatars La Chama and El Pana presented news to combat President Nicolás Maduro’s media crackdown during the 2024 presidential election. It was a response to the extreme hostility and censorship that journalists faced in the country. And it was one of the three projects showcased at the GIJC25 panel.

At a time when AI-powered disinformation is spreading like wildfire on the internet, Carlos Eduardo Huertas, director of CONNECTAS, was showing ways to use the same technology to combat it. And the stakes in this battle are very real. The World Economic Forum’s “Global Risks Report 2025” identifies misinformation and disinformation as the top short-term risk over the next two years. “We’re seeing higher levels of distrust in our elections, how they’re run and the validity of their outcomes,” USC Price’s Mindy Romero says. (Photo/iStock) With misinformation on the rise and American voters increasingly losing faith in elections, USC experts explore strategies to restore confidence in democracy.

Public trust in our free and fair elections — a fundamental pillar of American democracy — is eroding. We don’t need polls to tell us Americans are losing faith in democracy, though the numbers back it up: Recent survey data shows that almost 60% of Americans are dissatisfied with the current state... The flow of misinformation and coordinated disinformation campaigns are generating alarming levels of doubt among voters, USC experts say. From narratives around contentious issues like abortion and immigration to unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud, the damaging effects of misinformation on democracy are increasingly evident. Even misinformation surrounding federal responses to crises such as Hurricane Helene show how public perception can be swayed and the consequences that can follow. American elections, a vital but fraught institution in our country, are being undercut by lies and conspiracies.

We can increase trust in our elections by turning around election results faster, through pre-processing of ballots, setting earlier deadlines for ballot return and increase funding for election offices. Voters and the media can also contribute to the solution by improve news consumption habits, demonstrating patience while results are tabulating and learning more about how elections are run. – Table 1: Number of Days Between the Media Calling a Race and State Certification, 2020 Presidential Election – Expediting Results Without Sacrificing Access Public safety isn’t just about crime rates, it’s about how safe people feel. Together with the National Policing Institute, Zencity has launched the Public Safety Confidence Index: the first nationwide measure of Americans’ trust in law enforcement and their sense of safety.

Built from over 20,000 resident voices, the Index offers leaders and communities a new data-driven way to listen, build trust, and take action. Public safety leaders face a widening gap between perception and reality. Explore key insights from MCCA & IACP 2025 and how data and trust can bridge it. Local government leaders gathered to explore the latest findings from Zencity’s National Community Survey, uncovering what truly matters to residents nationwide. The discussion revealed clear priorities—like housing, transportation, and living-wage jobs—alongside areas of strength such as parks, libraries, and healthcare. Leaders emphasized the importance of turning insights into action, using data to guide budgets, close equity gaps, and build trust through transparent engagement.

The key takeaway: consistent, resident-driven feedback is essential for smarter decisions and stronger communities. Public safety isn’t just about crime rates, it’s about how safe people feel. Together with the National Policing Institute, Zencity has launched the Public Safety Confidence Index: the first nationwide measure of Americans’ trust in law enforcement and their sense of safety. Built from over 20,000 resident voices, the Index offers leaders and communities a new data-driven way to listen, build trust, and take action. Public safety leaders face a widening gap between perception and reality. Explore key insights from MCCA & IACP 2025 and how data and trust can bridge it.

Election deniers are working to undermine confidence in our elections and suppress turnout, particularly among voters of color and other historically marginalized communities. The misinformation they propagate — including lies about the voting process and election workers — can have significant consequences for people’s ability to vote and trust in our elections. These threats are especially perilous today. Since 2020, prominent politicians and candidates for election administration positions have amplified the Big Lie of a “stolen” presidential election. These falsehoods spread rapidly on social media, with platforms unwilling or unable to intervene, fueling threats to election systems. Election misinformation is a danger to American democracy.

It menaces election officials, with 64 percent reporting in 2022 that the spread of false information has made their jobs more dangerous. It interferes with voters’ ability to understand and participate in political processes. And it has been weaponized by lawmakers to justify new voter suppression legislation. Congressional action, social media platform transparency, and accessible voter education can all help address the grave threat that election misinformation poses to our democracy. The Brennan Center is tracking rumors about voting and election administration to help provide accurate information to better inform voters. Mis- and disinformation are widespread in elections, especially during federal election cycles.

Misinformation may consist of false rumors and misconceptions about elections, while disinformation could be targeted messages spread to purposely mislead voters. Voters should look to trusted sources of information about elections, including the State Board of Elections and county boards of elections. The State Board works diligently to combat misinformation through social media, press releases, a newsletter, mailings and this webpage. With this webpage, we strive to: In North Carolina, state and county election officials work hard every day to improve processes and increase election security to promote voter confidence. We endeavor to educate the public about election processes and security by providing trusted and vetted information.

Misinformation can lead to confusion and erode the public’s trust in elections. We aim to educate and serve as a trusted source of election information through our social media posts. View all of our “Mythbuster Monday” series posts at the Mythbuster Archive. For trusted election information, follow the North Carolina State Board of Elections on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. Submit your email address to receive our press releases under “Receive Email Updates” at the bottom of the homepage.

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