Graphic for CDT's Elections & Democracy work. Light blue gradient background, with a white and light and dark blue colored ballot box – and a ballot with a digitized trail.

Election Disinfo

Disinformation about elections long predates the internet. But bad actors use the internet to spread falsehoods at a pace and scale that is unprecedented, including by taking advantage of micro-targeting and algorithmic amplification tools on social media. In a matter of minutes, rumors and intentionally misleading material can influence millions of people. Understanding the spread and impact of election disinformation requires an examination of how people get information online and how trusted officials can get their message out. CDT pursues policies and company practices that reduce the spread of election disinformation online while still preserving users’ fundamental rights to free expression.

PSA: Misinfo & Disinfo – Building a More Informed Public

CDT works to combat misinformation and disinformation, particularly as it impacts elections, targets marginalized communities, and engages in voter suppression.

Watch PSA

A still from an animated PSA by CDT, discussing how to build up trust in the face of election misinformation & disinformation. On top of an outline of the continental United States, a collection of growing and changing red and blue circles represent conversations happening across the country. A magnifying glass looks closer at a potential source of mis- / disinfo.

Online Voter Suppression: How to Spot & Counter

This short guide focuses on how to spot content on social media that can suppress voter participation, as well as how election officials can anticipate and counter election misinformation that could suppress voter participation in their jurisdiction.

Read Report

Cover of a CDT report, entitled "Online Voter Suppression: A Guide for Election Officials on How to Spot & Counter." Muted pink background, text in shades of blue and white. The outlines of the letters in the word "suppression" radiate outward, as if to act contrary to the word's meaning.

Recent Content

The CDT logo. A white "cdt" alongside "Center for Democracy & Technology" on a dark grey background.

CDT Hosts Roundtable on Generative AI and Elections with U.S. Department of State Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy

CDT Joins Letter Urging Meta to Maintain CrowdTangle, Election Integrity Efforts in Advance of Historic Year of Elections. White document, black text.

CDT Joins Letter Urging Meta to Maintain CrowdTangle, Election Integrity Efforts in Advance of Historic Year of Elections

Graphic for a CDT report, entitled "An Unrepresentative Democracy: How Disinformation and Online Abuse Hinder Women of Color Political Candidates in the United States." Illustration depicting a woman's leg in kitten heel stomping on malicious social media posts while casting a shadow of the U.S. capital building.

Press Release: CDT Original Research on Online Abuse of Women of Color Political Candidates Wins Silver Anthem Award

Graphic for CDT's Elections & Democracy work. Blue background, with "Elections and Democracy" in white and dark blue text, with a similar-colored ballot box – and a ballot with a digitized trail. Small black CDT logo.

CDT Submits Comments to FEC on AI in Election Communications

Graphic for CDT report, entitled "Seismic Shifts: How Economic, Technological, and Political Trends are Challenging Independent Counter-Election-Disinformation Initiatives in the United States." A menacing crack in the ground separates a voter from a voting booth.

Seismic Shifts: How Economic, Technological, and Political Trends are Challenging Independent Counter-Election-Disinformation Initiatives in the United States

Graphic for CDT's Elections & Democracy work. Blue background, with "Elections and Democracy" in white and dark blue text, with a similar-colored ballot box – and a ballot with a digitized trail. Small black CDT logo.

To Protect Elections, Protect Researchers

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