INDIANAPOLIS — Posts started popping up on social media stating the ballot deadline had passed for nine states shortly after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race and then endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. The posts implied Harris’ name would not be placed on the general election ballot.
THE QUESTION
Has the general election ballot deadline passed in 9 states?
THE SOURCES
THE ANSWER
No, the ballot deadline for the general election has not passed in several states.
WHAT WE FOUND
Several posts falsely state that the ballot deadlines had passed in nine states including Indiana. Implying it was too late to replace Biden's name with Harris during the general election.
The Indiana Secretary of State's office sent out this notice to make it clear the "deadline" had not passed. The release stated political parties have until Sept. 10, 2024 at noon to certify or finalize candidate names.
13 Investigates reached out to the eight other states and the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS). All said the posts were false and it’s not too late for Democrats to replace their candidate for president.
Several states posted clarification on social media including Pennsylvania and Michigan. New Mexico called it a misinformation alert.
The association created a summary of the laws for each state and told Verify they sent a message to X telling the social media site the posts were not true.
“The harm is that voters can be misled and misdirected,” said Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon, president of NASS.
Simon encourages people to go to their secretary or state’s website to confirm what they’re seeing online.
“Particularly in this environment, in a year like this very intense presidential election, regardless of people's political leanings or their background or where they live, we just want everyone to get the right and the best information,” Simon said. “We want trusted information from trusted sources. And we think secretaries of state in all 50 states are those trusted sources."
All nine states confirm there is still time for Democrats to choose a new presidential candidate and get their name on the ballot.