HOME / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Are robocalls being used to spook voters? FBI probes as people receive 10M calls saying 'stay home, stay safe'

This includes one robocall campaign targeting the city of Flint that wrongly told people to vote tomorrow if they hoped to avoid long lines today

A number of suspicious robocalls and texts have reached voters as they began to cast their ballots on Tuesday, November 3. This led to concerns about what malicious sources might subject citizens’ smartphones to, to make people worried about the polls.

The Washington Post reported that across the country, voters have received an estimated 10 million automated, spam calls in recent days asking them to “stay safe and stay home,” according to experts who track the telecom industry. In Michigan, government officials on Tuesday, November 3, said they had witnessed additional attempts to deceive their state’s voters in particular. This includes one robocall campaign targeting the city of Flint that wrongly told people to vote tomorrow if they hoped to avoid long lines today.

According to a report in USA Today, the FBI is investigating the source of these robocalls, a senior Department of Homeland Security official said. The official, who chose to remain anonymous said the calls represented attempts at voter intimidation and suppression. The official said the FBI was reviewing the matter and also shared that the nature of the calls was similar to other intimidation tactics that emerge “in every election”.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer also addressed the issue in a series of tweets. She said, “We received reports that an unknown party is purposefully spreading misinformation via robocalls in Flint in an attempt to confuse voters. Let me be clear — if you plan to vote in-person, you must do so, or be in line to do so, by 8 pm today.” She continued, “Lines across the state are minimal and moving quickly, and @MichSoS and leaders across state and local government will work quickly to stamp out misinformation trying to prevent Michiganders from voting.” She added, “For questions, call your local clerk or visit http://Michigan.gov/Vote. Finally, you can join us in the fight against misinformation, and report anything you see to misinformation@michigan.gov.”

Even Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “Getting reports of multiple robocalls going to Flint residents that, due to long lines, they should vote tomorrow. Obviously this is FALSE and an effort to suppress the vote. No long lines and today is the last day to vote. Don’t believe the lies! Have your voice heard! RT PLS.” She also tweeted, “[AG ELECTION ALERT]: Dearborn voters, text messages are reportedly being sent to trick you into thinking there are ballot sensor issues. Do not fall for it, it's a trick! Visit http://mi.gov/vote and follow @MichSoS for any updates.” New York Attorney General Letitia James also shared her views. She said, “Voting is a cornerstone of our democracy. Attempts to hinder voters from casting ballots by spreading misinformation is illegal and will not be tolerated. That’s why I am actively investigating robocalls allegedly spreading disinformation."

The USA Today report states that the Election Protection Hotline was receiving reports of voters getting robocalls on Election Day, said Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, which has filed about 30 lawsuits to expand voting access this election season. According to Clarke, the calls asked voters to "stay safe and stay home". The committee had been receiving robocall complaints throughout the season, and they “may have reached millions of voters,” Clarke said.

“Robocalls are a bigger issue this year than in prior years. We have received some complaints about the robocalls targeting folks in Flint (Michigan),” Clarke said.