Georgia Secretary of State Calls Out Viral Voting Fraud Video as “Fake”

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger addressed the media on Thursday regarding a viral video that falsely claims to show voter fraud in the state, suggesting that it may be part of a foreign disinformation campaign.

The video, which gained significant traction on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), features an individual purportedly claiming to be a Haitian immigrant who voted multiple times for Vice President Kamala Harris during the presidential election. The clip quickly amassed over half a million views, raising alarm among some social media users.

Raffensperger, who oversees elections in Georgia, condemned the video as “obviously fake,” emphasizing its role in perpetuating unfounded concerns about the integrity of the state’s voting system. “Earlier today, our office became aware of a video purporting to show a Haitian immigrant with multiple Georgia IDs claiming to have voted multiple times,” he stated. “This is false and is an example of targeted disinformation we’ve seen this election.”

The Secretary of State noted that his office is actively collaborating with state and federal authorities to address the spread of the video and investigate its origins. He specifically mentioned that the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) is looking into the matter. Raffensperger also called on Elon Musk and other social media leaders to remove the video, categorizing it as a blatant attempt at disinformation likely stemming from Russian troll farms.

Chris Krebs, the former director of CISA, echoed Raffensperger’s concerns, labeling the video as “more nonsense from Russian troll farms.” He cautioned the public to expect a wave of similar misinformation as the election season progresses, emphasizing the need for vigilance against deceptive content.

The situation escalated when Amy Kremer, a member of the Republican National Committee, shared the video on X, questioning how the individual could possess multiple IDs and labeling the act as illegal. In response, Gabriel Sterling, the Chief Operating Officer in Raffensperger’s office, rebuked Kremer for amplifying what he called “a ridiculously obvious lie.” He stated, “No responsible person would retweet this. Those doing so are acting to further the efforts of America’s enemies and undermine the security of our nation.”

Raffensperger reinforced the notion that the dissemination of such misinformation can have serious repercussions. “As Americans, we can’t let our enemies use lies to divide us and undermine our faith in our institutions—or each other,” he asserted.

This incident occurs amidst a backdrop of heightened voter turnout in Georgia, with over half of the state’s registered voters having already cast their ballots. Early voting has surpassed records set in the 2020 elections, indicating robust engagement from the electorate.

As the election approaches, officials like Raffensperger are keenly aware of the potential impact of misinformation on public perception and trust in the electoral process. With early voting well underway, the integrity of the voting system remains a focal point for both election officials and voters alike.

The Georgia Secretary of State’s proactive stance against disinformation underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in elections, especially in a time when the spread of false narratives can easily influence public opinion. By addressing these issues head-on, Raffensperger aims to bolster confidence in the electoral process while urging citizens to remain vigilant against misleading information.

As election day draws near, the emphasis on combating disinformation will likely continue to play a crucial role in safeguarding the integrity of the voting process in Georgia and beyond. Officials are not only tasked with ensuring fair elections but also with fostering an informed electorate capable of distinguishing between fact and falsehood in an increasingly complex media landscape.