A finger tapping a tablet that shows a fake social media post headlined “Loch Ness in Miramichi!”
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Check It Before You Share It!

Elections New Brunswick encourages New Brunswickers to be mindful of what they see on social media during elections and on the Internet in general.

Maybe you’re familiar with the idea of satire or fake news online – but in some cases it can be tough to spot.

Read on to learn more about “fake news,” how to spot it, and how to verify information before sharing it.

Click on the videos below to see some examples of fake news.

We’ve all seen posts online that seem surprising or hard to believe. Before you share them, take a moment to check whether the information is accurate.

Pause…

Think critically about what you’re seeing, and look for trusted sources.

Visit MediaSmarts’ Let’s Break the Fake to learn how to spot misinformation and verify information online.

Visit Let’s Break the Fake

How to spot it

Nobody wants to feel duped or learn they’ve been spreading false information. That’s why when you see something a little “unbelievable” on your social media feeds – it’s best to check it before you share it.

So step away from that share button, take a moment to consider what you’re seeing, and dig a little deeper.

Consider the source

Ask yourself…

Is the news from a legitimate media organization that you’ve heard of before? Try exploring more of their website. Check their “Contact Us” page. Do they list a physical location, and if the email addresses are listed, are they professional? Be cautious of organizations that rely solely on free email services such as Gmail, Hotmail, or Yahoo, particularly if other signs of legitimacy are missing.

Is it a joke?

Satirical websites will usually identify themselves as such, but not always. If most or all of the news stories on the website seem outrageous, over-the-top or intentionally humorous, it’s likely satire.

Read beyond the headline

Headlines are intended to attract attention, not tell the whole story. Some fake news stories, especially satire, can be easily identified with a quick read through the article. For example, if a news story quotes “Joe New Brunswick” as a source, it’s safe to assume it is satire.

Check the byline

Is the author a real person or does their name sound fake? Some fake news stories won’t even have a byline at all.

Check the support

Look up the story’s sources. Do they have anything to do with the story and do they support the content? Legitimate news stories cite credible sources. Some fake news stories will cite bogus sources, or real sources that have nothing to do with the story, under the assumption that most people won’t bother to check them..

Check the date

Some fake news stories aren’t entirely false. Instead, they piggyback on legitimate news from several years ago, twisting it to support their own agenda. Real news stories should be, well, new.

Check your biases

Confirmation bias leads people to believe information that supports their own views, and to disregard things that don’t. Though it can be difficult to put aside your biases, a potentially fake news story that reinforces your own viewpoint still needs rational consideration. Try checking the other stories posted to the same website – do they seem trustworthy?

Elections NB is your trusted election source!

Remember: Elections NB is your trusted source for voter information in New Brunswick. This includes information such as your electoral region, the information you must provide to be added to the voters list, and when and where you can vote.

Elections NB has official Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube accounts where you can find official information. We also print and mail advertisements to every household and Voter Information Cards to registered voters.

To make sure you’re up to date with important election details, check out the information below:

Where do I vote?

If you are on the voters list, you will receive a Voter Information Card in the mail about two weeks before election day that shows the addresses of your polling stations, as well as the dates and times of advance and ordinary polling.

You can also search for this information at any time by using our search engines:

If you have additional questions, call our toll-free number 1-888-858-8683 (VOTE)

How do I get added to the voters list?

First-time voters who are not on the voters list and who meet the qualifications to vote are required to provide identification to be added to the list. You must provide one or more pieces of ID showing your name, current address, and signature (a driver’s license contains all three and is the ideal piece of ID). Other options include lease agreements, utility bills, student IDs, or having a friend already on the voters list vouch for your residency.

Use our voter registration portal to submit your application to be added to the voters list.