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A Project of The Annenberg Public Policy Center

Misleading Claim of Dead Registered Voters in Pennsylvania

Misleading Claim of Dead Registered Voters in Pennsylvania

A misleading claim that more than 21,000 registered voters in Pennsylvania are dead is circulating online. The figure comes from a conservative group that failed to convince a federal judge in October that its list was accurate.

Claim of Michigan Postal Fraud Is Moot

Claim of Michigan Postal Fraud Is Moot

A video from a right-wing activist suggests that U.S. Postal Service employees backdated ballots in Michigan. The claim is unproven, but, even if true, no ballots in the state are accepted after Nov. 3, regardless of the postmark.

Bogus QAnon Claim that Mail-In Ballots Are Illegitimate

Bogus QAnon Claim that Mail-In Ballots Are Illegitimate

A bogus QAnon-related claim that many of the mail-in ballots for the Nov. 3 election were illegitimate has spread widely on social media. But the claim is based on the faulty assumption that ballots are produced by the federal government.

Sharpie Ballots Count in Arizona

Sharpie Ballots Count in Arizona

The falsehood that votes for President Donald Trump weren’t counted in Arizona because the ballots were filled out with Sharpie pens spread widely on the day after the election. But the county where the claim originated actually recommends that voters use fine tip Sharpies to fill out their ballots.

Overblown Claims of ‘Bad Things’ at Philly Polls

Overblown Claims of ‘Bad Things’ at Philly Polls

A story circulating on social media deceptively claims “Bad Things Are Happening in PA.” It overstates the significance of a video that shows a Republican poll watcher being denied access to a Philadelphia polling place on Election Day, and it falsely claims that there was an illegal political sign at another city location.

Video Doesn’t Show Voter Fraud in Utah

Video Doesn’t Show Voter Fraud in Utah

A video suggesting that there’s been “voter fraud” in Utah has been circulating online, but all it actually shows is a misunderstanding of a poll worker’s mistake on the first day of early, in-person voting. The mistake was corrected and the system worked, as intended.

Can You Change Your Vote? Probably Not.

Can You Change Your Vote? Probably Not.

Q: Can people who cast their ballots in early voting change their vote?

A: In most states, no. By our count, there are eight states that specifically allow for early voters to change their votes.  

Misleading Messages on Gasoline Prices

Misleading Messages on Gasoline Prices

Eric Trump misleadingly claimed on social media that gasoline was $5 per gallon “under O’Biden,” but “unbelievably good” during his father’s administration. The average retail price of gasoline while Barack Obama was president was $2.97. The average price under President Donald Trump has been $2.49, which includes lower prices due to the pandemic.

Bogus Claims of Debate Moderator Bias

Bogus Claims of Debate Moderator Bias

A tabloid story alleging that Kristen Welker, moderator of the final presidential debate, is politically biased has spawned several falsehoods on social media. Welker hasn’t donated to any federal candidates, and she wasn’t “busted” for revealing a question to the Clinton campaign in 2016.