The State of Play: Voter Suppression Efforts in the 2024 Election

Most digital content is legally allowed as free speech, but there are laws against voter intimidation and election interference.

The Voting Rights Act outlaws voter intimidation, and federal law also prohibits conspiracies to deprive Americans of the right to vote. While the First Amendment sets a high bar for finding speech to be illegal, there are some examples of individuals being successfully prosecuted for election interference via social media disinformation. However, this process can be difficult and time intensive, and more immediate responses are needed to protect voters in this cycle.

Effective disinformation that suppresses the vote is tied to the news cycle and often recycles common messages or themes.

The type of false information being spread will depend on which stage of the election process we are in: voter registration, voting, or tabulation and certification.

Know how elections are administered.

Elections are administered on the county level, and run by more than 10,000 offices nationwide. Most states strive for partisan parity when hiring election workers, an equal number of Democrats and Republicans working the election.

How can I support election officials?

Election workers are experiencing increased rates of threats, harassment, and partisan interference, often related to disinformation, as well as decreased funding. We are seeing high turnover rates, with many experienced officials retiring or leaving due to these challenges.

There are a few big ways that you can support election officials in your area: Reach out to introduce yourself and provide contact information; Respect election workers’ authority, and be aware of capacity restraints; Amplify authoritative voices of information — your local election official knows the laws and procedures best! They are a valuable partner in combatting disinformation.