1/ Election officials and their staff can and do make mistakes. They are human beings. Even spaceflight in the U.S. has suffered due to human error and unanticipated challenges. Elections are no different.
A short 🧵
2/ Especially given how election administrators and poll workers are reeling due to process changes since 2020 — including security changes in the face of intimidation and threats — it’s important to assess the difference between honest mistakes and malfeasance.
3/ Recognize that when mistakes occur, and when shortcomings in election administration become apparent, bad actors will try to add fuel to the fire by distorting the facts.
Don’t let them.
Slow down and seek context before drawing conclusions or retweeting. #TrustedInfo2022
As we get into the post-election ballot counting period, @OSET is focusing on two topics that have garnered a disproportionate share of wild accusations and disinformation: 1) by-mail ballot security; 2) the time required to count and report.
“Explainers” for each are below. 🧵
Here’s the first Explainer, which provides details about all of the security protocols around by-mail voting.
The process is rigorous, and well-understood, and no, there are no “ballot dumps“ in the middle of the night. 👇 bit.ly/OSET_ByMailBal…
Here’s the second Explainer, which provides all of the sober facts about why it takes time to count by mail ballots. There are no “shenanigans.“It’s called “election administration.“👇 bit.ly/OSET_Reporting…
1/ Journalists have been asking me “Do you think Musk’s takeover of Twitter could impact the midterm elections?”
With a week to go, and based on the impulsive and unprofessional behavior we’ve seen over just the past four days, my answer is “Yes.”
How, potentially? A thread.🧵
2/ There are at least 5 ways that Musk can negatively impact midterms, if he makes poor decisions:
- Supercharging polarization
- Allowing an environment that fosters political violence
- Spreading disinformation himself
- Harming voting processes
- Post-election disinformation
3/ Supercharging polarization and vitriol: As soon as Musk closed the deal, there was evidence that some users immediately wanted to test limits, by increasing the supply of hateful and divisive ideas. Unless Twitter remains vigilant, these will spread. washingtonpost.com/technology/202…
2/ Until recent yrs (w/some exceptions), post-election meant counting the votes, accepting facts, declaring outcomes & transferring power efficiently & peacefully.
But no more. My greatest concern? The post-election period is likely to be the start of a new disinformation cycle.
3/ A democratic consensus on the legitimacy of election admin processes is gone. And an increasing number of election deniers are trying to normalize the idea that any outcome other than their victory is prima facie evidence of malfeasance and "cheating."
1/ I’ve left Twitter, and I’m pleased to return to the “outside” world.
To those familiar w/me & my expertise in elections, technology, media & defense of democracy: It’s past time to roll up our sleeves. See🧵 below.
Interested in how I might help your organization?
Plz DM me.
2/ With US elections around the corner, here are my top-line thoughts:
The main theme we should anticipate in the next month are numerous examples of *manufactured chaos.*
What is this? >>>
3/ *Manufactured chaos* includes coordinated attempts to interfere with — and potentially overwhelm — normal election administration processes (including procedures and/or technology), based on a priori assumptions of malfeasance, even when allegations are not supported by facts.