State Minister Brad Raffensperger says the video is probably part of a targeted disinformation campaign that originates in Russia.
– Earlier today we became aware of a video which claims to show a Haitian immigrant who has several ID cards from Georgia and who claims to have voted several times. This is not true and part of the targeted disinformation we have seen in connection with this year’s election, says Raffensperger in a statement.
– It is probably a foreign attempt to interfere in order to spread unrest and chaos ahead of the election, he says further.
The video, which is still out on X, shows a man saying somewhat stilted: “We are from Haiti. We came to America six months ago and we already have American citizenship – we are voting for Kamala Harris”. He then says that he and his friends have voted in several counties. The man also shows several driving licences.
– Obviously false
– This is obviously false and part of a disinformation campaign. Russian troll factories are probably behind it, says Raffensperger.
He became known throughout the United States and many abroad after the election four years ago, when he refused to comply with Donald Trump’s demands to change the election results in the state.
A spokesperson for the state authorities says the conclusions that the video is fake are based on information on the driver’s licenses that are shown. They have not been able to match them to the number of voters.
Pointing to Russian group
Darren Linvill at Clemson University is an expert on disinformation. He tells AFP that the video has several characteristics that indicate it was made by the Russian propaganda group Storm-1516.
He says the group often uses West African actors that they recruit in and around St. Petersburg. Linvill also points out that those who made the video have been careful to film in a way that leaves as few traces as possible for those who want to examine it more closely.
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**Interview with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Election Disinformation**
**Host:** Welcome, Secretary Raffensperger. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent allegations surrounding a viral video and the concerns about election disinformation.
**Raffensperger:** Thank you for having me. It’s important that we clarify the facts surrounding this issue.
**Host:** You’ve mentioned that the video in question may be part of a disinformation campaign that could be originating from Russia. Can you elaborate on what you’ve discovered?
**Raffensperger:** Absolutely. The video alleges that a Haitian immigrant possesses multiple ID cards and has voted several times in Georgia. We have investigated this claim and found it to be baseless. It appears to be a clear attempt to sow doubt about the integrity of our election systems, likely fueled by foreign interference.
**Host:** That sounds concerning. What specific steps is your office taking to address this kind of disinformation?
**Raffensperger:** We are actively working with our cybersecurity team and federal partners to monitor and counter any disinformation. Additionally, we will be sharing factual information to educate the public about our voting processes, which are secure and reliable. We want voters to have confidence in our elections.
**Host:** Beyond this incident, how do you think election officials can better protect against disinformation campaigns in the future?
**Raffensperger:** Strengthening communication with the public is key. We need to ensure that accurate information is readily available and that we can quickly debunk false narratives as they emerge. Collaboration with tech companies and social media platforms is also crucial in identifying and removing misleading content swiftly.
**Host:** Thank you for your insights, Secretary Raffensperger. It’s essential to have transparency during this critical time for our democracy.
**Raffensperger:** Thank you for having me. It’s vital that we remain vigilant and informed to safeguard our electoral process.
