Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger recently spoke out about the state being targeted by election disinformation. He highlighted a viral video circulating online that claimed to show voter fraud, potentially linked to foreign interference.
The video in question, which gained significant traction on social media, featured a Haitian immigrant alleging multiple fraudulent votes cast for Vice President Kamala Harris during the presidential election. Raffensperger promptly dismissed the video as 'obviously fake' and aimed at sowing doubt about Georgia's electoral integrity.
As the top election official in the battleground state, Raffensperger emphasized the need to address such disinformation and collaborate with state and federal authorities to investigate its origins. He stressed the importance of combating false narratives that undermine public trust in the electoral process.
In an official statement, Raffensperger stated, 'Earlier today, our office became aware of a video purporting to show a Haitian immigrant with multiple Georgia ID’s claiming to have voted multiple times. This is false and is an example of targeted disinformation we’ve seen this election.'
The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has initiated an investigation into the matter. Raffensperger also called on social media platforms, including Elon Musk and others, to remove the video, citing its fraudulent nature and potential ties to foreign disinformation campaigns, possibly originating from Russian troll farms.
Addressing the need for vigilance against misinformation, Raffensperger's response underscores the ongoing challenges posed by deceptive content in the digital age. By raising awareness and taking proactive measures to counter false narratives, officials aim to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and uphold public confidence in democratic institutions.
