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Check the source

Video transcript

During an election, there's lots of information seeking to influence your vote.

That's why it's important to carefully consider what you see, hear and read to avoid being misled by misinformation and disinformation.

So to cast an informed vote this October... Check the source!

Visit elections.act.gov.au.

Your vote. Canberra's future.

Authorized by Damian Cantwell for the ACT Electoral Commission.

Electoral communication is an important part of the election process. The information you rely on to cast your vote should be credible and reliable.

We encourage you to ‘check the source’.

This means making sure you review the source of information to make sure it’s not misinformation or disinformation.

Misinformation v disinformation

Misinformation is information that may unintentionally deceive people. This can include incorrect, old, misattributed, or out of context information.

Disinformation is information intended to deliberately deceive people. Usually this is with the intention to influence how a person thinks or behaves. In the lead up to an election, it may be a false statement about a candidate or party or about how to cast your vote.

Electoral disinformation

Electoral disinformation is designed to influence a person’s participation in an election.

You can be exposed to disinformation anywhere, but it’s most common on websites and social media.

If you see information that has influenced how you think about an election – especially if the information triggers a strong reaction – check the source.

Consider these questions before you rely on the information:

Is the source reliable?

  • Have you heard of the source before?
  • Is the source a person or organisation you can trust?
  • Has it come from an accredited media outlet or a verified social media account?

Is the source current?

Check when the information was first published and the original source of that information.

Something posted or shared today is not necessarily current. The information may have been created a long time ago and might not be accurate anymore.

Is the source safe?

The information may be a scam if:

  • you’re suspicious of the source or don’t recognise the source
  • it was an unsolicited email with links to click on
  • it was a social media post with links to click on.

Is the source authorised?

Official electoral matter must be authorised.

It should have an authorisation statement, for example ‘Authorised by [name] on behalf of [entity]’ or a clear indication where the information came from.

If it doesn’t have an authorisation statement, then it may have come from an unreliable source.

For comprehensive information, read the Authorising electoral material factsheet.

Did you see it on social media?

Social media companies have their own policies on content and terms and conditions of use.

You can view their policies so you can understand how they manage their content.

Facebook, Instagram, Threads, WhatsApp

Meta Transparency Centre

X (formerly known as Twitter)

Elections ACT’s role in dealing with misinformation

Elections ACT provides current and correct information on:

  • how to enrol to vote
  • how to vote
  • where to vote
  • how to run as a candidate .

We disseminate this information:

Election ACT’s role is:

  • to correct the record if there is incorrect information online about ACT Legislative Assembly election processes
  • monitoring and enforcing appropriate authorisations on electoral matter.

Unauthorised electoral matter

Electoral matter is any material – in printed or electronic form – that’s intended or likely to affect voting in an election.

It’s an offence under the Electoral Act 1992 to publish electoral material without identifying the author. Authorisation prevents irresponsibility through anonymity.

Authorisation usually means printing an authorisation statement on the material, or otherwise clearly identifying the source of the material.

Voters should be able to plainly see if the material came from a source with a particular interest in the election.

For comprehensive information, read the Authorising electoral material factsheet.

Inaccurate and misleading electoral advertising

It’s an offence to disseminate or authorise someone else to disseminate inaccurate or misleading electoral advertising.

View our Misleading electoral advertising policy [PDF 344 kB]

Read more about misleading electoral advertising

You can make a complaint to Elections ACT if you believe someone has committed this offence.

Contact us to lodge a misleading electoral advertising allegation.