Kansas: Conspiracies hinder GOP’s efforts to cut the time for returning mail ballots | John Hanna/Associated Press

Republican efforts in the Kansas Legislature to shorten the mail ballot return time faced a setback as baseless election conspiracy theories resurfaced, prompting GOP senators to expand the bill to include bans on vote-tabulating machines and remote ballot drop boxes. Despite the Senate’s approval, the bill is unlikely to pass the House, where there’s little support for such bans. While some Republicans aimed to override a potential veto from Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly, the bill’s broader scope makes this outcome doubtful. The debate underscores the division within the GOP over election policies, with Secretary of State Scott Schwab, a conservative Republican, supporting ballot drop boxes and vouching for election integrity. Read Article

International: Russia’s use of malware to enhance election influence operations sign of things to come | Christopher Whyte/CSO Online

Security experts are highlighting concerns about the evolving landscape of influence campaigns in the upcoming 2024 elections, driven by the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) and exacerbated by geopolitical tensions. While discussions often focus on cyber influence operations or election hacking, distinguishing between cyber and influence operations is crucial. Cyber operations typically prioritize system access and compromise for strategic gains, while influence operations aim to manipulate information to achieve persuasive effects. Recent research underscores the significance of cyber-enabled influence operations (CEIO), shedding light on their distinct characteristics and impact. Read Article

National: Transparent, Open-Source Vision for U.S. Elections | Spenser Mestel/Undark

Seeking options to replace their decades-old AccuVote ballot tabulatos, more than 130 New Hampshire election officials packed into the conference rooms on of Concord’s Legislative Office Building last August to view vendor presentations. Ultimately, they faced a choice between two radically different futures. The first was to continue with a legacy vendor. Three companies — Dominion, ES&S, and Hart InterCivic — control roughly 90 percent of the U.S. voting technology market. All three are privately held, meaning they’re required to reveal little about their financial workings and they’re also committed to keeping their source code from becoming fully public. The second future was to gamble on VotingWorks, a nonprofit with only 17 employees and voting machine contracts in just five small counties, all in Mississippi. The company has taken the opposite approach to the Big Three. Its financial statements are posted on its website, and every line of code powering its machines is published on GitHub, available for anyone to inspect. Read Article

National: The US is bracing for complex, fast-moving threats to elections this year, FBI director warns | Eric Tucker/Associated Press

FBI Director Christopher Wray warned of heightened threats to American elections in 2024 due to advancements in artificial intelligence, facilitating malign influence operations by foreign adversaries at an accelerated pace. Highlighting generative AI as a particular concern, Wray emphasized the need for specific, evidence-based communication to arm partners and the public against such influence campaigns. While acknowledging past attempts by Russia, China, and Iran to manipulate elections, officials have not reported successful alterations to voting outcomes, although instances of domestic misuse of technology, such as a robocall impersonating Joe Biden’s voice, have surfaced. Read Article

National: Russia’s 2024 election interference has already begun | Dan De Luce and Kevin Collier/NBC

Disinformation campaigns, attributed to Russia, are underway ahead of the 2024 U.S. election, targeting President Joe Biden and Democrats, while also aiming to undermine American support for Ukraine and NATO solidarity. Similar efforts are observed in Europe, with France, Germany, and Poland noting Russian propaganda ahead of European parliamentary elections. With former President Donald Trump’s opposition to aid for Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin sees an opportunity to exploit political polarization and spread confusion. Concerns arise about potential interference through deepfake technology or “hack and leak” tactics. While Russian propaganda themes find resonance among some Republican lawmakers and pro-Trump commentators, experts emphasize that the primary threat to election integrity stems from internal divisions within American society rather than external manipulation. Read Article

National: Sen. Warner: US is less prepared to secure the 2024 election than 2020 | Christian Vasquez/CyberScoop

Sen. Mark Warner expressed concern that the U.S. is less prepared to combat misinformation in the upcoming 2024 election compared to the 2020 cycle, citing the expected surge in AI-powered misinformation and perceived hesitancy from the Biden administration’s legal team. He highlighted a court case instructing CISA to halt alerting social media platforms about election-related misinformation and emphasized the need for robust action from government agencies to address these threats. Read Article

National: How a Right-Wing Controversy Could Sabotage US Election Security | Eric Geller/WIRED

At a recent meeting between top US election officials and federal cybersecurity partners, West Virginia’s Republican secretary of state, Mac Warner, criticized the agencies for allegedly suppressing the truth about President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter, during the 2020 election and then covering it up. This reflects a broader right-wing backlash against agencies like the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), jeopardizing the partnership between the federal government and state leaders established since Russia’s interference in the 2016 election. While most GOP secretaries of state are maintaining their cooperation with CISA, concerns linger about potential erosion of trust and bipartisan collaboration, especially as national Republicans increasingly challenge CISA’s activities and funding. Read Article

National: Chatbots’ inaccurate, misleading responses about US elections threaten to keep voters from polls | Garance Burke/Associated Press

A report highlights concerns about AI-powered chatbots disseminating false information during presidential primaries in the U.S., posing a risk of voter disenfranchisement. The study, conducted by AI experts and election officials, reveals that chatbots like GPT-4 and Google’s Gemini are prone to generating inaccurate responses, including directing voters to non-existent polling places or providing outdated information. Despite efforts to regulate AI in politics, such as a recent voluntary pact among tech companies, the report underscores the need for greater accountability among chatbot developers to ensure the integrity of electoral information. Read Article

California: Shasta County elections panel asks county supervisors to defy state law | Damon Arthur/Redding Record Searchlight

The Shasta County Elections Commission voted to recommend the county Board of Supervisors pass a local ordinance mandating hand-counting of votes, despite California’s recent ban on the practice. The recommendation, supported by three commissioners, stemmed from concerns about the reliability and security of machine tallies. However, members of the public pointed out that the proposal contradicts state law, which prohibits hand-counting in elections with more than 1,000 voters. Despite previous plans to sue the state over the issue, Supervisor Patrick Jones suggested the county would proceed with hand counting, prompting criticism from opponents who view the move as unnecessary and costly. Read Article

Colorado Secretary of State launches election security grant program amid 2024 threats | Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold launched a grant program aimed at enhancing election security, enabling local clerks in the state’s 64 counties to apply for reimbursement for security expenses such as locks, surveillance cameras, and cybersecurity infrastructure. Accessibility upgrades like additional handicap parking or language assistance at voter service centers are also eligible for funding. The $3.5 million grant, sourced from federal funds provided under the Help America Vote Act, seeks to safeguard Colorado’s reputation as a leading state in elections administration amidst evolving threats. Griswold emphasized the importance of innovation and adaptation to counter dangers and threats facing elections, especially in the wake of the unprecedented efforts to undermine the 2020 election results. Read Article

Delaware lawmakers to take up voting rights again after court ruling | Xerxes Wilson/Delaware News Journal

Following a recent court decision striking down attempts to expand early voting and vote by mail in Delaware, officials are contemplating proposed constitutional amendments in response. The ruling invalidated new voting law changes allowing early in-person voting and permanent absentee registration, citing conflicts with the state constitution. Efforts to amend the constitution face challenges, including the need for bipartisan support and overcoming past opposition, highlighting the ongoing debate over voting reforms amidst legal and political hurdles. Read Article

How Michigan clerks implemented early in-person voting for state’s presidential primary | Tom Perkins/Votebeat

For this week’s primary, clerks in Michigan faced unprecedented challenges in implementing early in-person voting and other recent election law changes aimed at enhancing voter access. Canton Township Clerk Michael Siegrist described it as the toughest cycle ever. Despite hurdles such as voter education, logistical issues, and determining the most efficient early voting methods, Siegrist believes the benefits are significant, providing Michigan voters with ample access while ensuring election security. The presidential primary saw more than 50,000 people statewide taking advantage of early voting. Clerks across municipalities have adopted various approaches, with more populous areas often opting for independent early voting setups, while many rural municipalitiess coordinated with neighboring communities or embraced countywide arrangements. Read Article

Minnesota: In Rice County, which backed Trump, officials have spent years battling groups over voting machines | Briana Bierschbach/Star Tribune

In Rice County, Minnesota, tensions run high as local officials grapple with distrust surrounding election procedures, intensified by conservative groups’ efforts to challenge the use of electronic voting machines. Recent public voting equipment tests have drawn large crowds, with attendees voicing concerns and pressing for answers on issues like ballot record printing and modem usage. A lawsuit filed against Denise Anderson, head of the county’s Property Tax and Elections Office, has further escalated tensions, highlighting broader anxieties over election integrity. Despite assertions of thorough testing and certification from the Office of the Secretary of State, the controversy persists, raising concerns about the retention of election staff and the future of electoral processes in the county. Read Article

Nevada county election official in charge of controversial 2022 hand-count plan resigns | Gabe Stern/Associated Press

Mark Kampf, the Nye County Clerk in Nevada, known for presiding over a hand-count in the 2022 midterms amid false claims of election fraud, is resigning effective March 31, according to a letter received by the county. The reasons for his resignation remain unclear, with Kampf declining to comment. He assumed the position after the county commission unanimously voted to switch to hand-counting amidst conspiracy theories about the 2020 election, leading to the resignation of the previous clerk. However, Kampf’s approach to hand-counting differed from the original plan, with machines remaining the primary counting method. Read Article

New Hampshire: Two Weeks Before Election, Windham Town Clerk, Deputy Announce Resignations | Evan Lips/NH Journal

Windham Town Clerk Nicole Merrill, whose handling of the 2020 general election drew national scrutiny, has withdrawn from her reelection bid just two weeks before Election Day, citing health effects from a January accident as a primary reason. Deputy Town Clerk Hannah Davis also announced her resignation on the same day, citing intense pressure and lack of support from leadership. The aftermath of the 2020 election in Windham involved a recount that resulted in significant discrepancies, fueling conspiracy theories and becoming central to the “Stop the Steal” movement. A forensic audit later attributed the issue to machine-folded absentee ballots misinterpreted by scanners. Following a state investigation, the appointment of a monitor was announced for the 2022 primaries due to town officials’ shortcuts, including the use of an uncalibrated folding machine and inadequate test ballots. Read Article

Pennsylvania’s voting machines: Everything you need to know, how the state keeps them safe, and more | Carter Walker/Spotlight PA

In Pennsylvania, amidst an anticipated contentious presidential election, there’s been a history of politicians spreading false information regarding voting machines’ security and accuracy, despite stringent testing protocols in place. Despite these challenges, efforts to enhance transparency and reporting on machine issues aim to bolster public trust in the electoral process. Read Article

Pennsylvania governor unveils election security task force to mitigate threats to the 2024 vote | Adam Edelman/NBC

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is set to establish an Election Threats Task Force, led by Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt, aimed at securing the 2024 vote from interference and misinformation. Comprising officials from multiple agencies, the task force’s primary goal is to coordinate plans and share intelligence to safeguard election integrity. This initiative follows previous challenges in Pennsylvania’s electoral process, including threats to election workers and the spread of misinformation during the 2020 race. Despite bipartisan efforts to enhance election security, legislative action to address issues like delayed ballot counting remains stalled in the divided Legislature. Read Article

Pennsylvania seeks legal costs from county that let outsiders access voting machines to help Trump | Mark Scolforo/Associated Press

In a protracted legal battle over voting machine examination in rural Pennsylvania, Secretary of State Al Schmidt is seeking reimbursement of $711,000 from Republican-controlled Fulton County officials, alleging obstruction and delays that incurred substantial legal fees. The state Supreme Court recently cautioned the officials against unilaterally providing voting equipment evidence to outside parties, prompting pushback from the county’s lawyer, who argued against court intervention in litigation involving Dominion Voting Systems Inc. Read Article

Wisconsin’s extreme gerrymandering era ends as new maps come into force | Sam Levine and Andrew Witherspoon/The Guardian

For over a decade, Wisconsin’s state legislature elections have been effectively predetermined by heavily gerrymandered district lines favoring Republicans, regardless of voters’ preferences. However, following a Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling striking down the state’s legislative maps due to constitutional violations, new maps were passed by the Republican-led legislature last week, drawn by Governor Tony Evers. The new plan significantly shifts the political landscape, potentially allowing Democrats to vie for control of the state assembly in November and potentially the state senate in 2026. While the new map undoes some of the severe gerrymandering of the past decade, it still exhibits bias favoring Republicans, albeit to a lesser extent. Read Article