Identify the original publisher
Distinguish an official publication from a later summary, commentary or repost. Follow the source link and look for the institution responsible, the title of the document and its publication date. A familiar logo alone does not establish that a circulating copy is current or complete.
Check whether a source reports a nomination, an official result or a later institutional snapshot. These documents can all be useful while answering different questions.
Read the scope and definitions
Look for the country, office, electoral level, period and unit. Ask whether the figures concern people, participations, votes or seats. A percentage needs a denominator that belongs to the same eligible population.
Record any exclusions or gaps. Unknown classifications should not be guessed from names or photographs, and missing evidence should not be converted into zero.
Keep a traceable reference
When noting a figure, retain the source URL, document title, relevant page or table and reporting period. Where a claim is corrected, explain the specific record and definition involved rather than circulating a replacement number without context.
Corroboration can strengthen understanding, but several websites repeating one claim may still rely on a single original account. Evaluate the evidence trail, not simply the number of times a statement appears. Clear references make corrections easier and public discussion more reliable.