How to check for misinformation in election-related mailers

In the lead-up to the November general election, Florida voters are facing a wave of misleading election-related mailers that can create confusion and misinformation. A poignant example is shared through the experience of Heidi Lepak, an 80-year-old registered Republican who was misled by a mailer that appeared to be from the official county party. After submitting her mail-in ballot based on the recommendations of the mailer, she discovered that it was actually a "fake voter guide" funded by a political committee with different candidate endorsements. Experts, including Amy Keith from Common Cause Florida, stress the importance of checking the source of these mailers by looking for disclaimers and conducting independent research to verify claims. They suggest that voters should be wary of materials that seem biased or use misleading quotes.

The article emphasizes the growing prevalence of deceptive election materials, urging voters to arm themselves with knowledge as they prepare for the upcoming election. With the stakes high, understanding how to identify misinformation is more critical than ever for maintaining the integrity of the democratic process.