False and misleading claims about the voting process are being spread online as voters cast their ballots in the 2026 midterms, with Election Day less than a week away.

The posts often focus on alleged election rigging or voter fraud. However, closer scrutiny of the claim typically reveals a logical explanation.

Here's a closer look at the facts.

Holes in California ballots are not nefarious

CLAIM: A punched hole in a Ventura County , California, ballot return envelope is proof of election rigging.

THE FACTS: This is false. The ballot return envelopes have two holes, according to election officials. They help election workers confirm that the ballot has been removed and act as an accessibility feature.

A video spreading online shows the front of a return envelope from Ventura County that has a punched hole on one side.…