OLYMPIA—Washington’s Secretary of State, Steve Hobbs, is urging residents to now rely more on election offices “as trusted sources” for local, state, and federal elections information after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced January 7 that it will no longer provide fact-checking moderation on its 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.”
The Secretary of State’s Office explained that in November 2024, a joint report from the Director of National Intelligence, CISA and the FBI showed Russian influence actors created a misinformation campaign designed to foment mistrust in U.S. elections.
“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 is offering 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.”
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.
Author: Mario Lotmore
