Let's Twist!

Old photo of election envelopes misrepresented as trashed 2026 California ballots

Conservative influencers are claiming an image shows ballots for California's June 2, 2026 primary elections discarded in a Sonoma Valley dumpster, but this is false. In fact, the photo shows empty ballot return envelopes from a 2018 election -- not marked ballots -- that were being recycled in 2020 after being retained for 22 months in accordance with the state's laws.

"These ballots were found in a dumpster in Sonoma Valley, California. Nothing to see here," says text over the image posted June 8, 2026 on Facebook.

The post was shared by right-wing commentator Benny Johnson, whom AFP has repeatedly fact-checked for spreading disinformation and conspiracy theories, including about elections.