As the 2024 election approaches, Donald Trump is reviving his 2020 tactics by spreading unfounded claims that the election is being stolen from him. Joining him in this narrative are various allies who amplify these falsehoods through their platforms, creating a sense of distrust among his supporters.

Trump has repeatedly alleged that Democrats are cheating, suggesting that the only way Vice President Kamala Harris can win is through dishonesty. Such assertions lack evidence and echo similar claims he made during the last election. Ben Ginsberg, a Republican campaign attorney, noted that Trump’s rhetoric about election integrity is alarmingly reminiscent of 2020, where he spent two months disputing a close loss.

This year, Trump has pushed various baseless theories, claiming widespread voting by noncitizens, inadequate verification of military ballots, and fraud related to early voting. Ironically, while he discourages mail-in voting, he has also urged his supporters to utilize it, creating a contradictory message.

As early voting begins, election officials are on high alert for misinformation, particularly in crucial battleground states like Pennsylvania. With the potential for another razor-thin election, officials anticipate a surge of disinformation, especially if the results hinge on just a few ballots.

Despite the noise, experts emphasize that voter fraud is rare, and robust safeguards are in place to catch any irregularities. Justin Levitt, a voting rights expert, reassures voters that they have the ultimate power to determine the election's outcome, stating that if the margin exceeds the contentious 537 votes from the 2000 election, misinformation will have less impact.

In Pennsylvania, a hotspot for legal disputes and misinformation, Trump has made unsubstantiated claims about voter fraud linked to hundreds of suspicious registrations. However, election officials have clarified that these incidents reflect the system's effectiveness in identifying issues, not evidence of widespread fraud.

As the campaign heats up, it’s critical for voters to navigate through the misinformation and focus on the facts, ensuring their voices are heard in the democratic process.