How False Information Spreads Online
There is so much connection and beauty that comes with an increasingly connected and digital world, but as we continue to evolve, there are also issues that come with it. It is human nature for people to exaggerate or even outright lie when sharing information. We live in a digital version of the telephone game, where every time information is shared, it can be slightly changed or taken out of context. When this happens online, the information can reach thousands or even millions of people before anyone has a chance to check whether it is accurate.
Another reason false information spreads is because people tend to believe things that already fit with what they think or feel. UNICEF discusses confirmation bias, which is our tendency to favor information that supports what we already believe. They also discuss herd mentality, where we may be more likely to believe something when we see many other people believing or sharing it. This can make false information seem more credible than it actually is. UNICEF’s guide to spotting misinformation explains some of these reasons and gives suggestions for checking whether information is trustworthy
UNICEF’s guide on How to Spot Misinformation
When AI Changes What We Believe
AI makes the question of what is real on the internet even more concerning to me. I worry that this goes much deeper than not knowing whether the cat in a video is real or AI-generated. When we are talking about serious issues happening around the world, such as wars, genocide, political conflicts, or human rights violations, being able to know what is actually happening becomes much more important. If AI makes it easier to create convincing false information or manipulate real events, it could affect how people understand the world around them.
I believe AI is harmful because it could affect decisions that directly impact our lives, like knowing when we are in danger, understanding what is happening during a crisis, or even knowing how to vote. If people cannot tell what information is real, how are they supposed to make informed decisions? That is much more concerning to me than simply seeing an AI-generated picture of a cat or a video of raccoons jumping on a trampoline online.
How to register to vote in Virginia
Agent: ONEchat
[09/13/2026 18:02:46 +00:00] Geneva Dickerson (gdickers): Tell me how to become a registered voter in Virginia
Response:
To register to vote in Virginia:
1. Confirm eligibility: You must be a Virginia resident, a U.S. citizen, at least 18 by the next general election, and not registered in another state. Certain felony convictions or court-declared incompetency may affect eligibility unless voting rights have been restored.[doc1]
2. Register online through the Virginia Department of Elections’ official registration portal.[doc1]
3. Or register by mail/in person: Download and complete the Virginia Voter Registration Application, then mail it to the address on the form or deliver it to your local registrar’s office.[doc1]
4. Complete every applicable field, provide your Social Security number if you have one, and sign and date the application to avoid delays or denial.[doc1]
5. Check your registration status online after submitting the application. You should also receive confirmation from the registrar.[doc1]
For most general and primary elections, the standard registration deadline is 11 days before Election Day.[doc1] Virginia also allows registration through Election Day, but late registrants must complete the process and vote using a provisional ballot.[doc2]
[1]
[1] https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/how-to-register/
[2] https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/
GPT 5.6 Luna Tokens: 11,309
How to register to vote in Virginia
Agent: ONEchat
[09/13/2026 18:04:25 +00:00] Geneva Dickerson (gdickers): Tell me how to become a registered voter in Virginia
Response:
Eligibility Requirements[doc1]
To register in Virginia, you must:
• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be a Virginia resident
• Be 18 years old (you can register at 17 if you’ll be 18 by the next general election) • Not be registered to vote in another state
• Not be declared mentally incompetent by a court
• Not be incarcerated or convicted of a disqualifying felony (unless rights restored)
How to Register[doc1]
Online: Register at vote.elections.virginia.gov using your Virginia driver’s license or state ID number and Social Security number[doc1]
By Mail: Complete a Virginia voter registration form or National Voter Registration form and mail it to your local registrar’s office[doc1]. You must provide your full Social Security number[doc1].
In Person: Register at:
• Local voter registration office[doc1]
• Department of Motor Vehicles[doc1]
• Public libraries[doc1]
• Virginia Department of Elections office[doc1] • Election Day at your polling place[doc1]
Registration Deadline[doc1]
For the November 2026 general election, register by October 23 (11 days before Election Day)[doc2]. You can still register and vote provisionally through Election Day[doc2].
What to Submit[doc1]
Complete all information blocks on the application, sign and date it, and provide your Social Security number. If any field doesn’t apply, write “NONE” or “N/A.” Mail applications must be postmarked by the deadline.
[1]https://www.elections.virginia.gov/registration/how-to-register/
[2]https://voting.democracy.works/en/register/va.html
Claude Haiku 4.5 Tokens: 20,789
How to register to vote in Virginia
Agent: ONEchat
[09/13/2026 18:04:49 +00:00] Geneva Dickerson (gdickers): Tell me how to become a registered voter in Virginia
Response:
Here’s how to become a registered voter in Virginia as of September 2026:
Eligibility Requirements
To register to vote in Virginia, you must:
• Be a resident of Virginia (temporary residents are not eligible).
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be 18 years old by the next general election (17-year-olds may register in advance if they will turn 18 by the next general election).
• Not be registered to vote in another state.
• Not be currently declared mentally incompetent by a court (unless your voting rights have been restored).
• Not be incarcerated for a felony conviction (unless your voting rights have been restored).
How to Register
You can register online, by mail, or in person: 1. Online Registration
• Use Virginia’s official online portal: vote.elections.virginia.gov/Registration/DmvLookup.
• Deadline: 11 days before a general or primary election, or 7–14 days before a special election (see deadlines below).
2. By Mail
• Download and print the Virginia Voter Registration Application (available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, and Korean).
• Mail the completed form to your local voter registration office. The form must be postmarked by the registration deadline.
3. In Person
• Visit any of these locations to register:
Local voter registration office
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Public libraries
Armed forces recruitment offices
State or local government offices (e.g., TANF, SNAP, Medicaid, or disability services offices).
• Same-Day Registration: Virginia allows in-person registration through Election Day, but voters who register after the standard deadline must cast a provisional ballot.
Registration Deadlines (2026)
| Election Type | Deadline (Online/Mail) | In-Person Deadline |
| General Election (Nov. 3) | Oct. 23, 2026 | Nov. 3, 2026 (Election Day) |
| Primary Election | 11 days before | Election Day |
| Special Election | 14 days before | Election Day |
| Special (Called by Governor) | 7 days before | Election Day |
After You Register
• You will receive a voter information card by mail. If you don’t, check your registration status online: vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation.
• ID Requirement: Virginia requires photo ID to vote in person. If you don’t have one, you can get a free Voter Photo ID from your local registration office. Learn more here.
Updating Your Registration
• Use the same methods (online, mail, or in person) to update your name, address, or party affiliation.
• Deadline: Changes must be submitted by the registration deadline for the election in which you want to vote.
Additional Resources
- Military/overseas voters: Visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program.
- Check your registration status: Virginia Voter Portal
- Find your polling place: Polling Place Lookup
Mistral Large 3 Tokens: 10,384
Reflection on the AI Experiment
Overall, all three AI models gave me information that was mostly consistent with what I already understood about registering to vote in Virginia. They all gave similar eligibility requirements and explained different ways to register. The biggest difference was how much information each model included. GPT-5.6 Luna gave me the shortest and most straightforward answer, while Claude 4.5 and Mistral 3 included more details.
The sources were also fairly consistent. All three models used the Virginia Department of Elections, which I considered the most trustworthy source because it is the official state website for elections. Claude also used Democracy Works, while Mistral included several different pages from the Virginia Department of Elections. I still checked the information myself because I do not think an AI response should automatically be considered accurate just because it provides a source.
Mistral was my favorite because it gave me the most complete answer while still being easy to follow. It included information about different ways to register, deadlines, and same-day registration. I liked that I could get most of the information I needed in one response.
What stood out to me most was how confident all three models sounded. Even when information needed to be checked, the responses presented it as if it were definitely correct. This reinforced my concerns about AI and what is real on the internet. AI can make information easier to find, but it can also make inaccurate information sound convincing, which is why I think it is important to check the sources and think critically about what we read online.
