It is election year and you know that during the following months, there will be many types of trustworthy and also some misleading information regarding the coming elections. Everyone should be smart, aware, and informed about the upcoming presidential election. Digital literacy today is very important but you must be very cautious. We will be targets of online shenanigans, whether financial or vote-getting.
We all have a wealth of experience and knowledge that can be valuable in the political process. Senior in particular, have a history with many previous elections and have a solid understanding of the issues. We all need to exercise our right to vote and make our voices heard.
Can we become more informed using the internet? Yes, if we get it from some of the following authoritative and non-partisan sites to make informed decisions for the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
AARP.org/elections is AARP’s nonpartisan election guide covering key issues for voters 50+, like Social Security, Medicare, caregiving, and much more. They have an article regarding election disinformation increasing due to AI, Artificial Intelligence, that we all should review.
U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC.gov) is an independent, bipartisan resource on election processes and voter participation. Here you can gather past EAVS, Election Administration and Voting Survey reports, being detailed election data gather for the past 10 years. Also, go to EAC.gov/vote to not only find where to vote, but also information on registering to vote, options to cast a ballot, and where to vote in your state.
Factcheck.org by the Annenberg Public Policy Center: A nonpartisan fact-checking site debunking false claims about elections and candidates. In reviewing this site, I found that they reported the news for both of the 2024 presidential candidates in negative and positive ways. So, I think you get the straight scoop there. They also have interesting corrections to misstatements that all of the presidential debaters made during the broadcasts.
NewsLit.org by the News Literacy Project is another free site that has resources and events to spot misinformation and find credible election news sources. NewsLit even has quizzes for you to take to test your knowledge about all types of news. When you do poorly on a couple of them, as I did, they have free training to help you in the future.
The next place to check online for facts is at the Pew Research Center (pewresearch.org). They have an abundance of information about all politicians good and bad. They are a nonpartisan, non-advocacy organization that conducts research on a wide range of topics including detail coverage on politics.
Vote411.org by the League of Women Voters Education Fund: Provides nonpartisan voting information like polling locations, ID requirements, and candidate guides. Another is the federal government’s official voting and elections guide found online at, USA.gov/voter.
How about a reputable fact-checking resource? Check out VoteSmart (votesmart.org). Surprisingly, they were started over 30 years ago by Presidents Ford (R) and Carter (D) other political leaders, from both sides of the isle, and independents alike. Their goal is to filter the trash-talk and impart the facts. They provide bios, positions, speeches, and more on every current candidate for federal and each state elections.
As the election approaches, it’s important to be aware of the potential spread of disinformation. To ensure you are making well-informed voting decisions, I urge you to avoid partisan apps or websites that may be spreading false or misleading information. Instead, stick to authoritative, non-partisan sources for accurate and reliable news and information. There are other reputable informational sites online today; however, there are many more that have major agendas. Be cautious.
Voting is a right and a responsibility for all Americans and we should all be properly informed.
