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

CDT Weighs In on Meta Oversight Board’s case on Takedown of Speech Calling for Attack on Brazil’s National Congress. White document on a grey background.

CDT Weighs In on Meta Oversight Board’s case on Takedown of Speech Calling for Attack on Brazil’s National Congress
Graphic for CDT's podcast, entitled "CDT's Tech Talks." Hosted by Jamal Magby, and available on iTunes, Google Play, Soundcloud, Spotify, Stitcher, and TuneIn. Dark grey text and app logos, as well as light blue text, on a white background.

Tech Talk: Post-Election Audits, Disinformation, “Rumoring” and more — Talking Tech w/ Kate Starbird, Will Adler, Aliya Bhatia
Graphic for CDT report, entitled “De-Weaponizing and Standardizing the Post-Election Audit.” A column of ballots is arranged in blue, green, and red, overlapping with scanline patterns in bright blue, purple, and teal. Black background, and white text and CDT logo.

De-Weaponizing and Standardizing the Post-Election Audit
The CDT logo. A white "cdt" alongside "Center for Democracy & Technology" on a dark grey background.

Press Release: Women of Color Political Candidates in US Targeted with the Worst Online Abuse
The CDT logo. A light and dark grey "cdt" alongside "Center for Democracy & Technology" on a white background.

Women of Color Political Candidates in the US Endure Most Severe Online Abuse, Mis- and Disinformation
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.

An Unrepresentative Democracy: How Disinformation and Online Abuse Hinder Women of Color Political Candidates in the United States

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