This is in response to someone else’s post from half an hour ago, which contained phone numbers controlled by a politically aligned organization. It doesn’t matter which one.

Reports of election interference should go directly to the authorities:

https://www.usa.gov/voter-fraud

How to report voter fraud, intimidation, or suppression

If you suspect voter fraud, report it to your state or territorial election office. You can also report it to:

If you witness or suspect voter intimidation or suppression, there are three ways you can report it:

LAST UPDATED: September 18, 2024

  • mox@lemmy.sdf.orgOPEnglish
    46·
    12 days ago

    I agree, but every avenue at our disposal are forms.

    This is untrue. A phone number is prominently shown on the very first official link I tried: the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. There are more phone numbers at the various state election offices.

    You assuming that because they are a political org, they will play partisan politics,

    No. I have assumed no such thing. I am pointing out that they are not the authorities, and since they are not, a report to them is not a report to the authorities. They might play partisan politics, or they might not. They might remember to pass your report on to the authorities at some point in the future, or they might forget. There’s no way to know, and it doesn’t matter.

    Report directly to the authorities. It’s fine to also report to someone else, but they are no substitute. Definitely report to the authorities.

    • JonsJava@lemmy.worldEnglish
      61·
      12 days ago

      Report directly to the authorities

      100% agree with this. You reported the post in politicalmemes with this as the reason:

      misinformation; these phone numbers route to a politically-aligned organization

      What was the misinformation? The title says “[META] Where to call if you witness anyone intimidating or harassing at polling places.” and the image clearly states who is behind it.

      If you can state that they aren’t there to help, and provide proof, I’ll back down, but the fact that you came at it as “lies”, that’s a bold claim.

      Again, contact authorities, but there’s nothing wrong with having other avenues to assistance.

      • Docus@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        12 days ago

        I saw the original post in TIL, not in a political community where it may be (slightly) more acceptable. It’s never ok to divert reports of criminality away from the authorities and towards political organisations. And listing a bunch of phone numbers of a political organisation without stating their affiliation is misleading.

      • mox@lemmy.sdf.orgOPEnglish
        54·
        12 days ago

        The misinformation is directing people to report election interference using phone numbers belonging to a political organization, rather than the election authorities. A call to those numbers is not a call to the authorities. The post directs people away from the appropriate channels. It is therefore misleading.

        [Edit: I acknowledge that it might have been well-intended. It is still misleading.]

        the image clearly states who is behind it.

        The presence of a domain name printed at the bottom of the list of phone numbers, which most people will not carefully consider (or in many cases even notice), doesn’t make it okay.

        you came at it as “lies”

        I said no such thing. Please don’t put words in my mouth.