The deep mistrust between conservatives and Republican election officials in Georgia is hampering efforts to slow the tide of election misinformation swirling in this pivotal battleground state.
When Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger warned a video of immigrants voting with multiple IDs was fake and likely a Russian disinformation effort — an assessment backed up by US intelligence agencies — Republican skeptics were unmoved.
Kylie Jane Kremer, a Trump backer who helped organize the January 6, 2021, rally on the Ellipse, posted on social media that if Raffensperger and another top official in the office, Gabriel Sterling, said it was false, “I don’t believe them.”
While the most pointed criticism is often directed at Raffensperger — who refused to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election despite a direct plea from then-President Donald Trump — the skepticism of local election officials underscores one of the key challenges in trying to debunk misinformation this election year.
Georgia was a Republican stronghold for nearly three decades until Joe Biden flipped the state blue in 2020. With its 16 electoral college votes, the Peach State has emerged as a critical battleground once again this year. The vote-rich counties that are home to Atlanta and its suburbs have become particularly fertile targets for misinformation and legal challenges as Republicans look to bite into Democrats’ edge in those areas.
The best sources of accurate and timely election information have been state and election officials. But plenty of conservatives simply don’t believe what election officials are sharing, even when it is backed up by other sources.
“What we do is continue to provide the facts,” said Karli Swift, chair of the board of elections in DeKalb County. “These are your neighbors that are working to ensure the elections are conducted. We have safeguards to protect elections from fraud.”
Among Georgia state officials, there’s obvious frustration with the local conservative agitators.
Amy Kremer, a Republican National Committeewoman from Georgia and Kylie Jane Kremer’s mother, also shared the fake video of immigrants purportedly voting.
“This is illegal & not okay,” she wrote in a social media post that tagged several Georgia officials.
Sterling responded online, saying: “No responsible person would retweet this ridiculously obvious lie and disinformation. Those doing so are acting to further the efforts of America’s enemies and undermine the security of our nation.”
Lawsuits and false social media posts
In the final weekend before Election Day, the Georgia GOP claimed Fulton County, home of Atlanta, was “illegally” accepting absentee ballots at election offices (not ballot drop boxes). The secretary of state’s office said the plans were legal, and a judge agreed, allowing the weekend hours to continue.
The claim that ballots were being illegally accepted, meanwhile, already had legs.
Conservatives called on their followers to show up to election offices to monitor the situation. Others shared on social media that Gwinnett County had backtracked and would not accept absentee ballots over the weekend, which was false.
“Fulton County is a cesspool,” Cleta Mitchell, a conservative attorney who took part in efforts to try to overturn the 2020 presidential election results, said on Steve Bannon’s podcast after a judge ruled against Republicans.
The Republican National Committee has since filed another legal challenge on the matter in federal court.
Janice Johnston, one of the conservative members of the Georgia State Election Board, recently posted “Danger! Danger! Danger!” and shared misleading information about handling memory cards, suggesting they could be manipulated to alter early votes.
Sterling responded online with a GIF saying, “Aww, that’s not true.”
Johnston was back online, seeming to take aim at the weekend absentee ballot returns, claiming that “Chaos, confusion, delay” were being imposed upon Georgia voters.
Sterling said there had not been reports of chaos or delays.
This story has been updated with additional reaction.
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Election Misinformation Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news! Today, we have a distinguished guest, Dr. Samuel Grant, an expert in political communication and misinformation. Dr. Grant, thank you for joining us.
Dr. Grant: Thank you for having me! It’s a pleasure to discuss such an important issue.
Editor: Georgia has become a focal point in the U.S. election landscape, particularly due to the deep mistrust between conservatives and election officials. Can you shed some light on why this mistrust has developed?
Dr. Grant: Absolutely. The mistrust stems from multiple factors, particularly the fallout from the 2020 election. Many conservatives feel disenfranchised by the electoral process, exacerbated by claims of widespread fraud that have not been substantiated. This has fostered a culture where official statements, even from Republican officials, are met with skepticism.
Editor: We’ve seen examples of this firsthand. For instance, when Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger asserted that a viral video of immigrants voting was fake, many still didn’t believe him. What does this tell us about the current information environment?
Dr. Grant: It highlights a crucial issue: when a significant segment of the populace does not trust official narratives, it opens the floodgates for misinformation. This instance demonstrates that even credible sources of information, like Raffensperger, struggle to gain acceptance when distrust is prevalent. It’s compounded by social media, where misinformation can spread like wildfire.
Editor: You mentioned social media. How does it contribute to the amplification of election misinformation in battleground states like Georgia?
Dr. Grant: Social media platforms allow rapid dissemination of content, regardless of its accuracy. Influencers or political figures with large followings can share false claims, which then gets reshared and gains traction beyond control. In Georgia, false claims about illegal ballot acceptance, for instance, mobilized people to protest based on misinformation—this can destabilize the electoral process.
Editor: In light of these challenges, how are local election officials combating misinformation, and how effective do you find their efforts?
Dr. Grant: Local officials are trying to provide facts and transparency about elections. For example, Karli Swift, the chair of elections in DeKalb County, emphasized the role of community neighbors ensuring fair elections. However, if the community does not trust them, their efforts may fall on deaf ears. Continuing to engage with the communities directly and promoting media literacy are key steps that can enhance their effectiveness.
Editor: It’s unfortunate that even the most straightforward facts can be refuted. Amy Kremer’s retweet of the viral misinformation and Gabriel Sterling’s counterarguments show heated exchanges. How do these dynamics contribute to the ongoing misinformation problem?
Dr. Grant: These dynamics show a divided information ecosystem where trusted figures can supercharge misinformation. By publicly supporting dubious claims, political leaders can legitimize misinformation. This creates a feedback loop; the more these figures validate these narratives, the deeper the mistrust and division within their base becomes.
Editor: Are there any proactive strategies that could be employed to help mitigate this misinformation cycle ahead of the upcoming elections?
Dr. Grant: Yes, boosting community engagement is essential. Local officials need to build trust through open dialogues, town halls, and partnerships with community organizations. Additionally, a robust media literacy program could help voters critically evaluate their information sources. It’s about creating a culture of informed voting where citizens are encouraged to question and verify rather than simply accept or reject narrative wholesale.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Grant. This is such an important conversation, especially with Georgia being a pivotal battleground state again. As we approach the elections, how hopeful are you that these misinformation issues can be addressed?
Dr. Grant: I’d say there’s reason for cautious optimism. If there can be meaningful dialogue and efforts to rebuild trust, it’s possible to create a more informed electorate. However, it will take consistent work and commitment from both officials and communities to navigate through this challenge.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Grant, for your insights on this critical issue. We appreciate your time today.
Dr. Grant: Thank you for having me. I hope we can continue to support transparency and truth in these vital discussions.