We are the National Association of State Election Directors and the National Association for Media Literacy Education, nonpartisan, nonprofit, professional organizations here to answer your questions about how media literacy can help you make sense of what you read/see/hear about elections.

Submitted by MediaLiteracyEd t3_xx9pg1 in IAmA

Hi!  We’re Meagan Wolfe, President of the National Association of State Election Directors (NASED) and the Chief Election Official of Wisconsin, and Michelle Ciulla Lipkin, Executive Director of the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE).  

We’re excited to be here together to answer your questions about what media literacy is, why it’s important to elections, how election officials are combating false information about elections, and any other election administration or media literacy questions you might have. Media literacy skill building helps across all subjects, but it’s especially important with elections to help build resilience to all of the false information out there about election administration in the United States. 

NASED is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, professional association for state election officials in all 50 states, DC, and the five US territories. In 40 states, the Secretary of State or Lieutenant Governor is the Chief Election Official, and in those states, the election director works for the Secretary of State or Lieutenant Governor. In the other 16 states and territories, including in Meagan’s state of Wisconsin, the Chief Election Official typically works for a bipartisan board or commission - Meagan is the Administrator of the Wisconsin Elections Commission. Whether they are a Chief Election Official or work for a Chief Election Official, the person filling the election director role implements new policies and technologies, works with local election officials, and so much more.

Founded in 1997, NAMLE is a nonpartisan, 501(c)3 professional organization that represents a diverse network of people and organizations committed to advancing media literacy education. As the leading voice, convener, and resource for media literacy education, NAMLE aims to make media literacy highly valued and widely practiced as an essential life skill. Michelle Ciulla Lipkin began her career in children’s television production, in various roles on both corporate and production teams, and has been the executive director of NAMLE since 2012. She earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from New York University and is currently an Adjunct Lecturer at Brooklyn College where she teaches Media Literacy.

PROOF: https://i.redd.it/ytb67gs92or91.jpg

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wander_luster_ t1_irb1xot wrote

What are election officials doing to ensure that voters aren't being manipulated by bad information about where to vote, candidates, etc? It seems like it's getting harder and harder to figure out what information is good or bad.

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NASED0rg t1_irb30se wrote

Election offices across the country provide information about the mechanics of elections on a regular basis through social and traditional media, through presentations, and through websites like elections.wi.gov/voters.  If you’re not from Wisconsin, you can find your state or territory’s election website at www.nased.org.   Many election offices also use the #trustedinfo2022 to promote their information, too.  The most important thing to remember is that voters should turn to their state or local election officials for the most reliable information about when, where, and how to vote.

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_motherofkittens_ t1_irb2dh7 wrote

Can you explain the connection between media literacy and election security?

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MediaLiteracyEd OP t1_irb37xm wrote

Media literacy - the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, create and act using all forms of communication - allows individuals to become well-informed citizens. Media literate people have the ability to assess reliable information, are less likely to fall for false information, and know the questions to ask when consuming information about elections. Having a well informed citizenry helps our elections stay secure.

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NASED0rg t1_irb3jjt wrote

Lack of clarity can lead to confusion, and adversaries may seek to exploit that confusion to spread doubt in the process or disinformation. That’s why it’s important to remember that your state and local officials are the best sources for trusted and accurate information about voting, Election Day procedures, and official results.

We’re all in this together. If everyone does their part, we can and will ensure that our elections are secure and resilient.

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MediaLiteracyEd OP t1_iraxa1w wrote

Hi! We are here and excited to answer your questions! Send them our way!

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NASED0rg t1_iraxd4v wrote

We're here, too! Looking forward to today's AMA!

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Sweaty-Data-40 t1_irbndjt wrote

What are some steps take citizens can take to mitigate situations of voter suppression/intimidation? i.e. people recording people on lines to vote

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