Political urban legends are stories or beliefs that are widely circulated but have no basis in fact. They are often used to spread misinformation or to influence public opinion.

Political urban legends can influence electoral outcomes in a number of ways. They can lead voters to make uninformed decisions, create a negative perception of a candidate or party, and suppress voter turnout.

There are many examples of political urban legends, including the belief that the government is secretly controlled by a cabal of elites, the belief that vaccines cause autism, and the belief that the moon landing was faked.

Political urban legends are persistent for a number of reasons. They often tap into people's fears and anxieties, they are often spread by people who believe them to be true, and they are often difficult to debunk.

There are a number of things that can be done to combat the spread of political urban legends. These include educating the public about the dangers of political urban legends, encouraging people to be critical of information they see online, and supporting organizations that work to debunk political urban legends.