Political ads, social media posts, podcasts, and campaign signs are everywhere. How can voters tell what's true, what's misleading, and what's simply campaign spin?

As the November 3 election approaches, voters are being bombarded with political messages. But should an advertisement, social media post, or campaign sign determine your vote? How can you separate reliable information from misleading claims?

Understanding a few common campaign tactics can help voters make informed decisions.

Part I: Understanding the Terms

Disinformation – False or misleading information deliberately spread to influence voters or damage a candidate's reputation.

Misinformation – Incorrect information shared by someone who may believe it is true. Unlike disinformation, misinformation does not necessarily involve an intent to deceive.

Exaggeration – Stretching the truth, taking statements out of context, or presenting selected facts to create a misleading impression.

Part II: How Does This Show Up in Local Elections?

Local elections are not immune to misleading claims. Outright falsehoods can backfire when community members or independent fact-checkers expose them. However, exaggeration and selective use of facts are common campaign tactics.

Watch for these warning signs:

  • Misleading images: Unflattering photographs, altered images, or AI-generated content designed to make a candidate look bad.

  • Cherry-picked voting records: Highlighting a few votes by an incumbent while ignoring the circumstances or their overall record.

  • Distorted positions: Suggesting a candidate supports higher taxes or opposes gun rights based on statements taken out of context.

  • National issues in local races: Focusing on emotionally charged national debates, such as abortion or transgender healthcare, even when those issues have little connection to the responsibilities of the local office.

  • Political labels: Emphasizing or exaggerating party affiliations rather than discussing a candidate's qualifications and positions.

The key question: Does the claim accurately reflect the candidate's record, qualifications, and positions on issues relevant to the office?

Part III: Where Can Voters Find Reliable Information?

Not all election information is equally useful. Here are some sources to consider and what to watch for.

Campaign Advertising

Advertisements paid for by candidates or their supporters are designed to persuade, not necessarily to present a balanced picture. Look for supporting facts and verify claims through independent sources.

Candidate Forums and Public Events

Nonpartisan forums offer opportunities to hear candidates explain their positions and answer questions. Many are recorded, so voters can watch later if they cannot attend.

Political Party Endorsements

Party endorsements and candidate slates identify whom a political organization supports, but they are not neutral evaluations. Consider why particular candidates are endorsed or promoted together.

Social Media

Candidates' social media pages can help voters understand their positions and see how they respond to questions. However, accounts operated by supporters or opponents may spread misleading claims, inflammatory memes, altered images, or personal attacks.

Radio, Television, and Podcasts

Interviews reveal how candidates think and respond to questions. Nonpartisan interviews often provide a broader perspective, but even interviews with partisan hosts can be informative. Pay attention to what candidates actually say, not just how the host presents it.

Local Newspapers

Candidate interviews and election coverage can help voters compare qualifications and positions. Editorial endorsements may also be useful, particularly when the newspaper clearly explains its reasoning.

A red flag: Be cautious of candidates who appear only before friendly audiences or agree to interviews exclusively with supportive media outlets. A willingness to answer challenging questions is an important quality in a public official.

Part IV: Don't Forget Ballot Measures

Ballot measures can be just as vulnerable to disinformation, misinformation, and exaggeration as candidate campaigns.

Local measures often involve property taxes, public services, or changes to city and county charters. Tax measures, in particular, can generate strong opinions and competing claims.

Before voting on a ballot measure, ask:

  • What exactly would the measure change?

  • Why is it being proposed?

  • Who supports it, and who opposes it?

  • If it involves a tax, how much would it cost?

  • How would the money be spent, and who would oversee it?

  • What happens if the measure fails?

  • Are there other ways to address the problem?

Finding these answers may require some research, but the effort is worthwhile.

The official voters' pamphlet is a good starting point. Local chapters of the League of Women Voters may also provide nonpartisan election information. Local newspaper reporting that explains both sides of a measure can help voters understand its potential benefits and consequences.

The Bottom Line: Be an Informed Voter

Political campaigns are designed to win votes. That doesn't mean every claim is false, but it does mean voters should approach campaign messages with a healthy dose of skepticism.

Look beyond the headlines, photographs, and slogans. Compare sources, ask questions, and focus on facts.

An informed vote is one of the most important contributions you can make to good local government.