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How to be an informed voter, detect misinformation

man in blue sweater and face hidden, casting vote in booth at polling station. US flag on wall in background
Michigan voters will have to navigate a barrage of ads, information and claims before Election Day. (Shutterstock)
  • Despite a rise in misinformation, there are a slew of options for verifying information ahead of Election Day
  • Nonpartisan fact-checkers, candidate disclosures and questionnaires can all offer voters insight into their choices
  • While this list isn’t comprehensive, it offers a selection of some of the most reputable and widely-used resources available

There’s a ton of information online, and not all can be trusted. Here are tips to help research issues with the election and claims made by candidates.

The Golden Rule

Be skeptical. Rely on trusted news sources. Resist confirmation bias. Beware of memes and sites you never heard of. Get a variety of sources, even those you may not agree with.

Fact-checking claims

Several outlets routinely check the claims of candidates, politicians and campaigns, including:

Campaign finance

Money fuels election campaigns, and knowing who is giving to candidates, ballot measures and parties can provide insight to voters. Here’s where you can find information: 

  • Campaign finance filings held by the Michigan Department of State at the state level
  • For candidates’ filings at the county level and below, check with your local clerk
  • Personal financial disclosures for state-level officeholders and candidates
  • Federal Election Commission has campaign finance filings for congressional and presidential candidate
  • Open Secrets has breakdowns and statistics for federal candidates’ donations, but it won’t always be the most current information

Other resources

Political parties in Michigan

Endorsements 

As of early May, the following entities had endorsed candidates for Michigan 2024 elections. This list will be updated at a later date. 

Labor organizations

Industry groups

Interest groups

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