Dirty tricks in Kansas via text: Does yes actually mean no?

The day before Kansas voters rejected a ballot question that could have eroded abortion rights, many people in the state reported receiving anonymous text messages with misleading information about the vote. 

The texts urged recipients to vote “yes” to support choice, but voting that way would actually have empowered lawmakers to restrict or even outlaw abortion. 

The tactic reflects the growing use of text messages to spread disinformation about voting and politics. 

Experts say text messages can be just as effective or even more effective than social media when it comes to disseminating falsehoods, and the anonymity of wireless communication can make it much harder to identify the source. 

Kansas voters on Tuesday ended up rejecting the measure.