Oregon election officials were inundated with calls and emails following a false claim that the state’s voter pamphlet did not include Republican nominee Donald Trump, causing their system to shut down temporarily. The erroneous information stated that Trump was excluded from the pamphlet, but in reality, he is listed as a candidate and will be on the ballot in Oregon. The pamphlet does lack a statement from Trump advocating for his candidacy, as he failed to submit one, according to the Oregon GOP.
Despite the clarification, the false claim gained traction on social media, prompting an influx of out-of-town callers. The Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division had to close its phone lines temporarily to manage the overwhelming volume. The department made adjustments to address the situation, with spokesperson Laura Kerns mentioning that voicemails would be screened, and priority would be given to Oregonians with specific election-related queries.
The email system of the Oregon officials also faced a surge of messages related to the misinformation, prompting them to focus on responding to actionable questions from residents. Plans were made to fully reopen the office by Monday to ensure that essential services are restored. Meanwhile, individuals on social media continued to perpetuate the false claim, urging others to contact officials or spreading inaccurate information.
Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade expressed concern over the spreading of rumours and misinformation, emphasising that such actions do not benefit the state’s voters. The department urged people to seek accurate information and not be swayed by false claims regarding the election process. As efforts to combat the misinformation continue, officials are working to prevent further disruption and ensure that factual information is disseminated to the public.