Election Claims Checklist for Progressive Activism

Capture the precise text, the account or outlet that posted it, and the time seen. Exact quotes and timing preserve chain-of-custody for your analysis and any media follow up.

Take device screenshots, save the original URL, and submit to an archiving tool so the post can be referenced if deleted or edited later.

Tag by theme (mail voting, machines, observers, fraud cases) and list the relevant state or county. This speeds targeted statute and policy lookup.

Check impressions, shares, and whether the claim targets an imminent deadline like voter registration or ballot cure. Escalate high-impact items immediately.

Search major fact-check outlets and official election myth-busting pages. If a credible debunk exists, reuse their primary sources with attribution.

Time-box initial research, then escalate to a subject-matter lead if unresolved. Keeps the team moving while avoiding analysis paralysis.

Locate the controlling law and copy the relevant section number and text. Linking the primary statute beats paraphrasing and prevents scope creep.

Search state and county election websites for memos, FAQs, and official guidance that interpret the statute. Use the most recent publication date.

If a claim references a case, pull the docket number and the latest order or opinion. Quote dispositions and dates to avoid outdated interpretations.

Document the voting system model, paper ballot status, and federal or state certification. Cross-check with the county's posted equipment list.

Grab risk-limiting audit reports, post-election canvass summaries, and certification statements. These receipts often address outcome and process rumors directly.

If you email or call an election office, save the reply with date, name, and title. On-record confirmations bolster transparency and credibility.

Lead with the claim and a one-sentence bottom line, then list up to three high-quality primary sources. Short, scannable summaries outperform long threads.

Link directly to statutes, official memos, or court orders. Print-ready QR codes make in-person outreach and press briefings faster and verifiable.

Quote the minimum necessary statutory text with section numbers and page cites. Precision prevents misinterpretation and makes updates easier.

Version artifacts with ISO dates and include a changelog noting every update. This supports accountability when claims evolve.

Write alt text for images, keep reading level around grade 8 to 10, and ensure color contrast. Accessibility improves reach and trust.

Store PDFs, graphics, scripts, and links with a simple folder schema and a readme. A single source of truth reduces duplication and errors.

Document request, issuance, return, acceptance, and cure steps with deadlines. A simple flowchart preempts most misconceptions.

Pull the rule governing signature checks and detail the cure window and methods. Show the form or memo used by clerks to notify voters.

Quote the acceptance window and whether a postmark is required. Link USPS service standards and state-specific guidance for election mail.

Document where drop boxes are allowed, hours, and chain-of-custody forms. Show who transports ballots and how often logs are reconciled.

Define each term using state law and official glossaries. Consistent definitions reduce confusion when claims conflate processes.

When fraud statistics are thrown around, pull state attorney general press releases, prosecutions, and case outcomes to anchor the discussion.

List systems used by each county and whether voters mark paper or have a voter-verifiable paper record. This is foundational to addressing machine claims.

Pull public notices and test reports that show pre-election testing steps and pass results. L&A receipts are persuasive and concrete.

Use official documentation to show tabulators are not internet-connected and detail seal numbers, custody logs, and transfer procedures.

State the audit type, sample sizes, and outcomes for the relevant jurisdiction. Include links to methodology and public reports.

Show how precinct totals reconcile with ballot accounting and how canvassing boards certify results. This addresses process-based doubts.

Cite who may observe and how to file a complaint if procedures are breached. Clear processes reduce speculation about secrecy.

Create a concise script that states the claim, the bottom line, and where to verify. Volunteers can deliver it consistently in person or online.

Design a 3x5 card listing the top receipts and QR codes for field conversations and community meetings. Portable proof builds credibility.

Verify content aligns with your organization's tax status and state election rules, and confirm no voter-specific data is exposed.

Translate top explainers into your community's primary languages and use back-translation to catch errors. Add a bilingual reviewer sign-off.

Set daily monitoring windows, assign an on-call researcher, and define who approves releases. Clear roles shorten turnaround time.

Check grade level, font sizes, and contrast, and verify QR codes on both iOS and Android. Small QA steps prevent field confusion.