| OLYMPIA — On Tuesday, Jan. 7, Meta announced it will no longer provide fact-checking moderation on its platforms, removing misinformation labels and relying instead on its users to identify and comment on false content. Social media is increasingly used to post and share news, including information about local, state, and federal elections. Our elections offices are now even more critical as trusted sources of accurate information, due to the reduction of intentional content moderation by experts on prominent platforms. “Washington’s elections officials at both the state and county levels work tirelessly to ensure our voters have access to current and accurate elections information,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said. “Free and fair elections depend on voters having access to accurate, trustworthy information from reliable sources. Nation state actors will continue to seize opportunities to spread election misinformation and erode public confidence in our democratic processes.” In November 2024, a joint report from the Director of National Intelligence, CISA and the FBI showed that Russian influence actors created a misinformation campaign designed to foment mistrust in our elections. As advances in AI and deepfake technology continue to spread, the risk of election-related misinformation grows. “AI technology is enabling the creation of highly convincing misinformation, including deepfakes designed to mislead voters,” Hobbs said. “Now more than ever, the Office of the Secretary of State (OSOS) is committed to providing Washingtonians with trusted, accurate information.” To support voter confidence and understanding, OSOS offers a comprehensive elections website featuring information about current elections, the state’s secure voting process, and ways to participate. Washington voters can also access personalized election information by logging into VoteWA.gov. “Our voter education and outreach programs are essential tools for empowering Washingtonians to make informed decisions at the ballot box,” Hobbs said. “By supporting these efforts, we can help ensure voters have the knowledge and resources they need to identify credible information and confidently participate in our democracy.” For the latest on local elections, voters are encouraged to visit their county election websites. Questions about local or state elections can also be directed to county election offices. Information about the upcoming February 11 Special Election will be available on participating county websites as well as the OSOS elections webpage. In addition to these resources, OSOS emphasizes the importance of voter education and outreach initiatives. These programs play a critical role in curbing misinformation by helping voters understand and navigate the voting process. To learn more about Washington’s elections, visit sos.wa.gov/elections or contact your county elections office. |
| Washington’s Office of the Secretary of State oversees areas within state government including managing state elections, registering corporations and charities, and governing the use of the state flag and state seal. The office operates the State Archives and the State Library, documents extraordinary stories in Washington’s history through Legacy Washington, and administers the Combined Fund Drive for charitable giving by state employees and the Productivity Board state employee suggestion program. The Secretary of State also oversees the state’s Address Confidentiality Program to help protect survivors of crime. |
| ### |