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The final days of election campaigns can get heated and confusing as candidate ads and news reports focus on gaffes and out-of-context statements.

This is especially true today when modern technology makes it possible to easily manipulate old videos – or even to manufacture new ones out of thin air that appear to be real in order to make it seem as if a candidate has said something truly bizarre.

At such a time, it’s important for voters to take a step back and do their best to tune out the noise and focus on the actual policy positions of the candidates along with the overarching issues that they will be in a position to impact if elected.

Fortunately, there are plenty of good, nonpartisan resources like ncvoterguide.org that make such basic research easy and quick and tell you where the candidates stand on issues like human rights, the climate crisis, the economy, reproductive freedom, and health care.

The bottom line: Don’t get duped by deceptive ads. Take a few minutes at ncvoterguide.org to prepare and to do your part.

For NC Newsline, I’m Rob Schofield.