With the midterm elections only days away, short video clips shared on social media are drawing attention from South Florida voters, according to a CBS News Miami survey of residents about how the posts affect their choices at the ballot box.
Several people said the clips play a large role in what they see. Joshua Notre, 19, said he spends much of his time on social media and that it shapes how he thinks about the election. Alex Mayka said clips are often part of a broader effort to control the political narrative, whether they target the left or the right.
Sean Foreman, a political science professor at Barry University, warned that social media algorithms feed users more of what they already watch, which can push people into echo chambers. He said voters need to use their judgment. Foreman also said short snippets can strip candidates’ words of their original context.
A recent Sprout Social poll found that 55% of respondents said social media affects how they vote, rising to 79% among Gen Z users.
Several voters said they plan to research candidates beyond social media before casting a ballot. Foreman recommends pulling information from multiple sources. Early voting in South Florida runs through Nov. 1.
