U.S. intelligence officials are warning that foreign adversaries are once again trying to spread disinformation about ballot counting to shake Americans’ confidence in the legitimacy of elections. This isn’t new, but it’s still troubling. We’ve seen it happen in multiple election cycles, and it’s not just about foreign actors this time—it’s more widespread.
The influence efforts really started gaining traction around 2016, and they have been growing ever since. These foreign campaigns are designed to make voters doubt the results even before ballots are counted. The intention is clear—to confuse people and to make them question whether the election process is fair. Unfortunately, these disinformation campaigns target all aspects of the voting system, from the security of mail-in ballots to the counting of votes themselves.
In addition to these foreign efforts, there’s also domestic pressure adding to the confusion. A former president of the United States has played a significant role in undermining trust in the election process. He had claimed the system was flawed during the 2016 election, which he won, and continued those claims more strongly during the 2020 election, which he lost. Even now, there are attempts to discredit upcoming elections, fueling a climate of distrust.
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All this points to a very real concern for voters. Disinformation can distort people’s views, and when we have both external and internal actors at play, it becomes even harder to feel confident in the democratic process. Intelligence officials are urging everyone to stay informed and to question what they read online—especially when it comes from sources that are not well-known or trusted.
The goal for all of us should be to base our opinions on factual information, not rumors. If we let ourselves fall into the trap of believing everything we hear without verification, the efforts of those trying to undermine democracy will succeed. It’s up to every voter to do their part, stay aware, and remember that disinformation campaigns thrive on doubt and fear.
