DISINFO ALERT: Claims of Election Fraud in Orange County, CA
NO- There Was No Triple Scanning of Ballots in Orange County
Disinformation seeks to erode confidence and solidarity. Stay informed and share responsibly.
Claim: A poll worker in Orange County, California, was caught on video triple-scanning the same batch of ballots on November 8, 2024, sparking claims of voter fraud and accusations of Democratic overperformance in the county.
Source: MAGA social media accounts and election-denial influencers. Why is MAGA spreading this again now?
Dissemination Route: Since yesterday, this lie has been aggressively circulated by MAGA-affiliated channels on social media, accumulating millions of impressions. One of the photos used includes a close-up frozen frame asking viewers to identify the poll worker, a tactic that has historically led to targeted harassment and death threats.
Reality: A comprehensive review by the Orange County Grand Jury concluded no evidence of voter fraud, interference, or irregularities during the 2024 election.
Grand Jury Report Findings:
The county’s voting system displayed the “highest level of integrity.”
Allegations of forged ballot signatures, noncitizen voting, and duplicate ballots were debunked.
Registrar of Voters:
Affirmed that the election was conducted with excellence.The Republican Party of Orange County also condemned false claims of voter fraud, stating they were baseless and harmful.
Goal: To undermine confidence in the election process, sow division, and intimidate election workers through targeted harassment. This tactic aims to discourage civic participation and erode trust in democratic institutions.
Counter:
Highlight Official Findings: Share the Orange County Grand Jury’s report and election officials’ statements to debunk the false narrative.
Promote Media Literacy: Encourage people to question viral content, the reason for dissemination, and to verify information through credible sources.
If you have tips or disinfo you’d like me to investigate, feel free to share!