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The Do's and Don'ts of Managing
Disinformation
Asking questions in order to hold election officials accountable to the rules is good. However, spreading rumors and jumping to false conclusions about misconduct or fraud risks impairing the democratic process, undermining crucial faith and confidence in our system of government, and wasting valuable taxpayer dollars. The following resources can help you identify and combat misinformation about our elections.
Three Videos Help Us Identify and Manage Disinformation
The League of Women Voters of Macomb County has produced three short and effective videos on how we can all identify and manage disinformation. Watch and share!
What is Disinformation?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_l7mpkyfVG8
How Modern Technology Affects the Spread of Disinformation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOsReP43yO0
How to Recognize & Stop the Spread of Disinformation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdvd5UkchaE
Read about how the videos came to be here.
Watch the LWVLC Election Security Video
“How do I know my vote will be counted?”
“Is my ballot safe and secure?
“How secure is absentee voting?”
“What prevents fraud?”
“Who oversees elections locally?”
“How can I volunteer to ensure free and fair elections?
These are just some of the questions answered in this video, filmed at the May 6, 2026, League of Women Voters Leelanau County (LWVLC) forum “Election Security: Understanding How the System Gets It Right.”
Getting Facts to Respond to Rumors
State of Michigan Election Security & Information
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Here is the State of Michigan's election security page, where you will find the facts about Michigan elections and also how you can report misinformation that you find. https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/security
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Fact Checks: Here is a link directly to the facts about exactly who can legally vote in Michigan and how Michigan secures the voting process. https://www.michigan.gov/sos/elections/election-fact-center
The Nonpartisan Brennan Center for Justice
Time-tested fact-checking practices will help limit the effectiveness and spread of misleading election information. Be a participant in combating misinformation.
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Here are 7 key facts about voting in America and the myths that are being spread about them. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/7-facts-about-voting-and-myths-being-spread-about-them
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AI is going to make it harder and harder to know what is real when viewing campaign and election material. Here are some key ways to combat AI misinformation. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/how-detect-and-guard-against-deceptive-ai-generated-election-information
Leelanau County Elections/Voter Information
The Leelanau County clerk is the chief election official of the county. The clerk administers all election functions required by law, including supervising national, state, and local elections and training all county election workers. In addition, the clerk prepares and assists in the official canvass of each election held in the county.
Michelle L. Crocker Leelanau County Clerk
231-256-9824
https://www.leelanau.gov/elections.asp
Official Sources Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency
Election Security Rumor vs. Reality
The federal Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency is responsible for cybersecurity and infrastructure protection throughout all levels of government, including coordination with state and local election officials. https://www.cisa.gov/topics/electionsecurity/rumor-vs-reality
Why Our System Is Inherently Trustworthy
Here are some reasons why our system is inherently trustworthy, and election misconduct is rare.
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The person who oversees the election process is locally elected and is accountable to the law and to the voters.
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Election workers are your neighbors and friends, not just from one party. Penalties for election fraud are severe.
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The parties have access to all precincts, allowing them to monitor every phase of the election.
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They are incentivized to do so and to pursue recounts and appeals when there is evidence supporting a challenge to a particular election result.
Looking for a way to DO SOMETHING?
Join us and make a difference in free and fair elections, registering voters, advocating for issues and more.
Contact Us
It's easy to get involved offline too.
Email: LWVLeelanau@gmail.com.
Drop us a note at P.O. Box 36, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
Donate to Defend Democracy
We appreciate your support in our work to defend democracy. You can donate online to the General Fund or one of our Special Events. Or pay by check by sending your check to: P. O. Box 36, Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
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