Paper Shredding Drives False Election Claims In Georgia

Cobb County election officials run ballots through a machine Tuesday in Marietta. After the Trump campaign requested a recount of the presidential ballots in Georgia, county election workers have just over a week to complete the new tally.

Mike Stewart / Associated Press

Government and election officials frequently call on shredding companies to dispose of personal and sensitive documents that are no longer needed.

But in a suburban county of Atlanta this week, those routine waste removal appointments were twisted into yet another election misinformation story when social media users falsely claimed shredding trucks were destroying ballots and “evidence of voter fraud.”

The unfounded allegations continue to spread online as Georgia officials carry out a machine recount of ballots after certified results showed Joe Biden had a 12,670-vote lead over President Donald Trump. Trump requested the recount, which follows a statewide hand tally.