You know that during the following months, there will be many types of trustworthy and misleading information regarding the coming elections. Everyone, especially senior citizens, should be smart, aware, and informed about the upcoming presidential election. Why do I single out Seniors? They may sometimes be the main targets of online shenanigans, whether financial or vote-getting. The president also has the power to make decisions that affect Social Security, Medicare, and other programs that are important to seniors.
Senior citizens have a wealth of experience and knowledge that can be valuable in the political process. Seniors have a history with many previous elections and have a solid understanding of the issues. Senior citizens need to exercise their right to vote and make their voices heard.
Can they become more informed using the internet? Yes, if they 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 some reputable fact-checking resources? First up on your list may be VoteSmart (votesmart.org). Amazingly, they were started over 30 years ago by Presidents Ford (R) and Carter (D) including other political leaders, Republicans, Democrats, 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.
