The Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division was inundated with phone and email messages after a false claim circulated on social media that Republican nominee Donald Trump was not listed in the state’s voter pamphlet. However, the pamphlet does list Trump as a candidate, but it does not include a statement about why people should vote for him because he did not submit one. As a result, the office’s phone lines were shut down due to the influx of out-of-town callers and the email system was overwhelmed with comments about the false claim. Officials had to prioritize responses to Oregonians with legitimate questions and plan to fully reopen by Monday.
Despite efforts to address the false claim, it continued to spread on social media, with individuals urging influential figures like Elon Musk to spread the misinformation. Some even posted the agency’s phone number with messages urging people to call and express their outrage. Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade expressed frustration with those spreading rumors and false claims, emphasizing that such actions do not benefit Oregonians in any way. The office is working to combat the misinformation and assist those who truly need help or have valid questions about the election process.
The Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division made adjustments to deal with the ongoing deluge of calls and emails, with spokesperson Laura Kerns stating that they will now be screening voicemails in order to prioritize Oregonians with specific, answerable questions about the election. This move aims to ensure that those who need assistance the most will be able to receive it in a timely manner. The office is working to reopen fully by Monday to resume normal operations and provide necessary information to voters ahead of the upcoming election.
Efforts to combat the false claim on social media have been challenging, as misinformation continues to circulate online despite the Oregon GOP confirming that Trump is listed as a candidate in the voter pamphlet. Individuals operating in bad faith have contributed to the spread of rumors and false claims, causing delays for Oregonians who genuinely need assistance from the Secretary of State’s office. Griffin-Valade urged people to refrain from spreading misinformation and instead focus on accurate information regarding the election to ensure that voters are well-informed.
The false claim about Trump’s absence from the voter pamphlet has highlighted the challenges faced by election officials in the age of social media. The rapid spread of misinformation online can have real-world consequences, such as overwhelming communication channels and delaying responses to legitimate inquiries. The Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division is working diligently to address the false claim and provide accurate information to voters, but the persistence of misinformation on social media platforms poses a significant challenge in the lead-up to the election.
As the office works to reopen fully and address the influx of messages, Oregonians are reminded to rely on official sources for accurate information about the election. Misinformation can easily spread on social media, leading to confusion and delays in accessing necessary resources. By prioritizing responses to valid inquiries and screening out false claims, the Secretary of State’s office aims to restore order to their communication channels and ensure that voters have the information they need to participate in the upcoming election.
