PolitiFact is reporting that Republicans are focusing on transgender issues in competitive 2026 campaigns, noting a Kansas ad targeting Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Adam Hamilton. It said the ad uses anti-transgender rhetoric and misleadingly combines separate sentences from a 2021 podcast to create a quote Hamilton never said, portraying his nuanced views as "woke." PolitiFact said similar ads are appearing in Georgia, Iowa, Ohio and Texas, often omitting context about candidates' statements or votes. It noted this strategy mirrors President Donald Trump's successful approach in 2024, which conservative groups like American Principles Project claim was a decisive factor in his victory. PolitiFact highlighted Gallup and Pew Research data indicating public discomfort with transgender athletes competing based on birth sex and minors receiving transition-related medical care. However, it also said experts are unsure if these attacks will benefit Republicans in 2026, as voters consistently prioritize the economy, and a Fox News poll suggests Democrats are more trusted on transgender issues.
PolitiFact is also reporting on a social media claim that North Carolina "processed" more than 1 million duplicate voter registrations. It said the claim, made by Shiloh Marx of the Integrity First Alliance, referenced Gov. Josh Stein's 2024 gubernatorial victory margin. PolitiFact clarified that the figure of 1,031,350 comes from a U.S. Election Assistance Commission report and represents new registration applications with no changes to personal information from already registered voters. It explained that duplicate registrations often occur when registered individuals fill out new forms at the Division of Motor Vehicles or during voter drives. PolitiFact noted that North Carolina election officials regularly remove ineligible records, with over 747,000 removed between 2023 and August 2024. It said that while the DMV might "process" these, they are never added to the state's active voter rolls, meaning they had no impact on the 2024 elections. PolitiFact rated the social media post "Half True" because it was partially accurate but lacked crucial context.