THREAD: With the @GOP and @realdonaldtrump voter suppression machine in force spreading disinformation on voting in 2020, it is critical we debunk and correct the record without bolstering their platform of lies. Here is some guidance on responding to online disinformation. 1/
Do Not Retweet or Quote Tweet Trump: Doing so will amplify disinformation even if you are attempting to debunk it. Research shows this can be highly ineffective if initial disinformation is also featured prominently. 2/
Do Not Repeat Baseless Vote-By-Mail Information: Voting by mail is safe and secure. We should be expanding access to the ballot, not making it harder for people to vote during a pandemic. 3/
Don't Turn Disinformation Into Debate: We don’t need to debate if Trump can move the election. But we do need to call out his failures. Here are best practices when confronting misinformation about voting in the 2020 election. ⬇️ 4/
1. Amplify trusted voices, like trusted journalists and experts, with factual information and compelling narratives. A good retweet alternative to Trump’s nonsense: 5/
2. Tweet the facts or uplift a pro-voting narrative instead. Vote by mail is safe and secure and the best way to ensure everyone can vote safely during this pandemic. Our military service members have voted by mail since the Civil War. 6/
Our democracy works best when everyone can participate and we should be expanding access to the ballot, not making it harder for people to vote. Donald Trump cannot ban mail-in voting through executive order. 7/
Donald Trump cannot postpone, delay, or cancel the election. Election Day is set by act of Congress and only Congress can change the date. Even if Congress moved the date, Trump’s term expires on January 20, 2021—and that cannot be moved except by a constitutional amendment. 8/
Oh, and 16 Top Trump officials have voted by mail recently. If voting by mail is good for the president and his staff, it is good for all eligible Americans. 9/
3. Fill The Gap—Highlight Motivations Behind False Claims and Attach Alternative “Whys” to Potential Problems Ahead. Trump is Losing. He has failed on coronavirus. Our economy is in free fall. Trump is trying to get us nervous, off message, off program. We must stay focused. 10/
Vote by Mail increases turnout. Trump is trying to confuse and discourage voters because he knows that if every eligible voter can cast a ballot, he will lose. Do not let his baseless fear-mongering distract us. Our vote has never been more powerful or important. 11/
Final election results may not come on election night, but this isn't new. Election officials must process military, overseas, and a record number of absentee votes. But America has held elections in difficult times before and we can do so again. So let’s get it done. 12/12
