Author Archives: BreaJjournalist

Quick Take Dominion voting machines have had no issues reading ballots filled out with Sharpie pens. But an Instagram video spread the false claim that ballots filled out with Sharpies could not be counted by voting machines in Pennsylvania’s 2022 election. A Pennsylvania Department of State spokesperson said the claim is “disinformation.” Full Story PennsylvaniaContinue reading “Bogus ‘Sharpiegate’ Claim Resurfaces in Pennsylvania Election”

Quick Take Pennsylvania uses a “not verified” code on mail-in ballot applications if a voter’s identity couldn’t be immediately verified; voters have six days after an election to submit a valid ID. But an Instagram post and some Republican leaders — including former President Donald Trump — falsely claim the state has “sent out 249,000Continue reading “Posts Misrepresent ‘Not Verified’ Code on Pennsylvania Ballot Applications”

Quick Take Millions of Arizona voters requested ballots to vote early in the 2022 election. Early voting results cannot be released until after the election, and ballot security measures prevent widespread voter fraud. Yet a viral video advises Republicans not to vote early, making the baseless claim that it could show Democrats how many votesContinue reading “Viral Video Spouts Baseless Claim About Early Voting in Arizona”

The Congressional Leadership Fund, a Republican super PAC, is running ads on TV and social media that distort Democratic House candidate Josh Riley’s positions on crime. One ad misleadingly claims that the New York Democrat said he “supports help not handcuffs” for criminals. Another ad from the super PAC accurately says that Riley is supported by the Working FamiliesContinue reading “Super PAC Ads Distort New York Congressional Candidate’s ‘Help Not Handcuffs’ Quote”

In TV and social media ads, Club for Growth Action misleadingly edited remarks by independent Senate candidate Evan McMullin of Utah to make it appear he said that “the Republican base is racist.” In fact, McMullin said “there is an element of the Republican base that is racist,” and that the party’s leaders won’t stand up to them for fearContinue reading “Ad from Super PAC Misleadingly Edits Utah Candidate’s Comments About Republican Base”

Wisconsin Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Michels — who opposes abortion rights —made headlines when he said in a radio interview last month that as governor, he would sign an abortion ban that included exceptions for rape and incest. A Facebook ad from the Republican Accountability PAC says Michels “supports no exceptions for rape [or] incest.” The adContinue reading “Unraveling Wisconsin GOP Candidate’s Abortion Position”

An ad from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee falsely claims that Nevada Republican House candidate April Becker supports a nationwide abortion ban and “taking away a woman’s right to abortion with no exceptions.”  Becker has said she supports a ban on abortion except in cases of rape, incest, and to save the life of the mother. BeckerContinue reading “Ad Distorts Abortion Views of Republican House Candidate from Nevada”

In digital ads, a political advocacy group makes the false claim that Democratic Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Democrats voted to “eliminate all restrictions on abortions up until the day of birth.” Illinois law doesn’t allow for abortions after fetal viability unless the pregnant person’s life or health is at risk. Since Roe v.Continue reading “Illinois Law Doesn’t ‘Eliminate All Restrictions on Abortions,’ Contrary to Ad from Advocacy Group”

A day after a protest in Grand Rapids inspired by the murder of George Floyd turned violent, Democratic House candidate Hillary Scholten of Michigan pleaded for “peaceful” protests and urged demonstrators “to not resort to violence and destruction.” Yet, a six-second Facebook ad from a Republican PAC falsely claims Scholten “dismissed the destruction” during the May 30, 2020, demonstration. TheContinue reading “GOP Ad Mischaracterizes Michigan Candidate’s Response to 2020 Protests”

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to eliminate state permit requirements for carrying concealed firearms, and he supports banning abortion, with limited exceptions, after 15 weeks of pregnancy. But political ads from former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist’s campaign misleadingly claim that DeSantis opposes “any background checks” on gun buyers and “wants to ban abortion” in all cases. “ThinkContinue reading “Crist Ads Misrepresent DeSantis Statements on Abortion and Background Checks on Guns”