Maricopa County: The Epicenter of Election Misinformation in 2024

The discourse surrounding misinformation and disinformation ahead of the upcoming November 5 election has intensified, placing Maricopa County at its epicenter. Election officials, analysts, and advocates are expressing concern that this proliferation of falsehoods could suppress voter turnout and provoke unwarranted calls to overturn election results.

According to Zarine Kharazian, a researcher with the Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington, “Arizona and specifically Maricopa County is potentially ground zero of misinformation about the election.” This organization strives to combat disinformation by educating the public on these issues.

Alex Mahadevan, director of MediaWise at the Poynter Institute, highlighted the dangers of a polarized electorate combined with unchecked social media. He described the current environment as a “petri dish of falsehoods,” where erroneous claims can easily escalate. “You can just post a clip of anyone doing anything and slap a message on it saying you’ve witnessed election fraud,” Mahadevan remarked, reflecting the ease with which misinformation can spread.

Maricopa County has recently faced scrutiny after right-wing commentator James O’Keefe released a secret recording purporting to show election workers being instructed not to confront suspicious voting activities. O’Keefe claimed the video raised “serious questions about the integrity of the voting process.” However, the content actually aligned with Arizona’s established election laws. Even Gina Swoboda, the chairperson of the Arizona Republican Party, acknowledged that the election worker did nothing wrong.

In a sign of the escalating issue, a new community on X, formerly Twitter, has emerged to share alleged incidents of voter fraud. This forum, which had amassed 55,000 members as of October 31, has become a hotbed for unverified claims and speculative accusations against voters and election officials.

Arizona’s history with election-related misinformation is long-standing, gaining traction with accusations following the 2018 midterms and further amplified during the contentious 2020 election. The Arizona Republican Party played a pivotal role in propagating baseless fraud claims after Martha McSally’s defeat to Kyrsten Sinema, which was characterized by false claims stating that Democrats were stealing elections. Subsequent election cycles continued this trend, with several candidates pushing disproven allegations even after their losses.

As the 2024 election approaches, experts note that many of this year’s lies are borrowed from past narratives. The myth of noncitizens voting remains prevalent, a notion initially propagated by Donald Trump in 2016, despite lacking any substantial evidence. In Arizona, recent concerns were sparked by a computer glitch affecting voter registrations, which has since fueled misleading speculations online.

Former Maricopa County Recorder employee Tammy Patrick pointed out that voters are increasingly questioning established election procedures. A viral incident from Illinois, where a voter was challenged over wearing politically charged apparel at a polling place, exemplifies this rising scrutiny. Patrick stressed that even minor issues are being interpreted by some voters as infringements on their electoral rights.

Researchers are finding it challenging to assess the exact volume of misinformation compared to prior elections, given today’s fragmented social media landscape. Kharazian noted that misinformation is being spread more adeptly this year, with relentless reminders of previous falsehoods. “Voters have been primed by the election fraud narrative,” she explained, observing an expanded arsenal of rumors from which disinformation agents are drawing.

Among the returning myths is the claim that voting machines are vulnerable to hacking. Past attempts to substantiate these allegations in court have failed, yet the claims continue to cast doubt on election integrity, potentially setting the stage for future litigation, according to Carah Ong Whaley, vice president of Election Protection at Issue One.

Despite the landscape of misinformation, there are some proactive measures being undertaken to combat these narratives. Mahadevan pointed out that election officials and media outlets are employing a strategy known as “prebunking,” which involves preemptively addressing and clarifying misconceptions. Initiatives by Maricopa County aim to enhance transparency about the voting process and counteract misinformation actively.

During a recent press conference, Maricopa County Supervisor Bill Gates assured the public that efforts are in place to monitor social media for false claims about the election. “We know there’s great interest in this election this year, and we want people to have every opportunity they want to go ahead and vote,” he stated, pledging to counter misinformation quickly.

As misinformation continues to infiltrate election discourse, organizations are working tirelessly to furnish credible information about the voting process. Their efforts aim to provide voters with the necessary tools to discern fact from fiction, ensuring a more informed electorate as the election date approaches.