Surge in Election Fraud Claims on Social Media Targets Wisconsin
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Social media activity alleging election fraud in Wisconsin has spiked dramatically since Election Day, far surpassing similar claims in other battleground states.
Data from analytics firm PeakMetrics reveals a 789% increase in posts on X (formerly Twitter) referencing voter fraud in Wisconsin, jumping from 2,570 mentions on November 6 to 22,589 by November 12. Despite the surge, there is no evidence to support widespread voter fraud in the state.
Republican Candidate Fuels Misinformation
Eric Hovde, a Republican who lost to Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin, has been a central figure in amplifying concerns about election integrity.
In a post on X, Hovde stated that “numerous parties” had contacted him about voting inconsistencies. However, the Milwaukee Election Commission swiftly refuted his claims.
In a statement, the commission emphasized its commitment to a fair election process:
“The (Election Commission) conducted a fair, accurate, and secure election that fully protects voters’ rights and preserves the democratic process.”
With 99% of votes counted, Baldwin leads Hovde by 28,958 votes, holding 49.3% of the vote compared to Hovde’s 48.5%. As of November 15, Hovde has yet to concede.
Wisconsin Dominates Fraud Allegations Nationwide
Interestingly, while Wisconsin saw a surge in election fraud allegations, other battleground states experienced a decline in similar posts during the same period.
By November 11, Wisconsin had overtaken Arizona as the most-discussed state for voter fraud claims on X, accounting for approximately 70% of such posts across all battleground states.
The posts frequently repeated debunked accusations, including claims that absentee ballots were evidence of fraud. It is standard in Wisconsin for absentee ballots to be counted on Election Day, with results reported in bulk later in the evening, which often draws scrutiny despite its well-documented nature.
Conclusion
The rise in election fraud claims in Wisconsin highlights how misinformation can quickly gain traction in close races. State officials and election bodies have reiterated their confidence in the integrity of the process, urging residents to trust in the democratic system.
