Pennsylvania can require voters to put a date on mail ballots, U.S. appeals court rules | Carter Walker/Votebeat

A federal appeals court decision upholding Pennsylvania’s rules for voting by mail could mean that tens of thousands of ballots are rejected in this year’s election because they lack a date or are misdated. But the full impact of the ruling is still up in the air while the parties who brought the case decide whether to appeal. A panel of the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 Wednesday that a Pennsylvania law requiring mail voters to handwrite a date on the return envelope did not violate a provision of the 1964 Civil Rights Act that’s meant to protect voters from being denied the right to register to vote. The decision could have broad implications: If plaintiffs appeal to the Supreme Court and justices uphold it, it could become precedent for the entire country, rather than just the jurisdictions in the 3rd Circuit. Such a ruling could limit how the Civil Rights Act applies to requirements for casting a ballot. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Overworked, underpaid, under attack: on the frontlines in a US election office | Sam Levine/The Guardian

Emily Cook, the deputy director in the Luzerne County election office, found herself thrust into a chaotic situation on election day in November 2022 when reports of paper shortages at polling locations flooded in. As tensions escalated, she faced harassment and threats, reflecting a broader trend of election officials leaving their positions due to similar pressures nationwide since 2020. Cook, who has witnessed high turnover in her office, now finds herself as the acting election director, grappling with the challenge of stabilizing the bureau amidst political uncertainty and public distrust. Despite the daunting task ahead, Cook remains committed to restoring confidence in the county’s electoral processes, recognizing the importance of transparency and perseverance in the face of adversity. Read Article

South Dakota: Election petitions seek a return to hand counting | C.J. Keene/SDPB

At a moment when public trust in elections is crucial, there are some people who want to ditch voting machines in favor of a return to hand counting ballots. A campaign in South Dakota aims to get signed petitions in front of local government officials. The current effort has real implications for the people who manage local elections. McPherson County auditor Lindley Howard is familiar with unsubstantiated complaints of voter fraud. She’s been called a “traitor” on one far-right commentary website. But this kind of rhetoric isn’t limited to the internet. Howard said on occasion she’s had people watching her as a result of her job. Read Article

Texas woman sentenced to five years over voting error acquitted | Sam Levine/The Guardian

A Texas appeals court has thrown out a five-year prison sentence for Crystal Mason, a Texas woman who was sentenced for trying to cast a provisional ballot in the 2016 presidential election that was rejected. Mason, now 49, attempted to vote in Fort Worth in the 2016 even though she was ineligible because she was still on supervised release – which is like probation – for a tax felony. She has always maintained she had no idea she was ineligible and only tried to cast a ballot because her mother urged her to. A judge convicted her in a 2018 trial that lasted just a few hours. Mason’s case became well known nationally and struck a chord as an example of an egregious punishment for a voting mistake. Many saw it as a thinly veiled effort to intimidate Black voters. Read Article

Wisconsin ballot questions on election administration are too vague, officials say | Alexander Shur and Jack Kelly/Votebeat

Wisconsinites will vote Tuesday on two proposed amendments to the state constitution that could reshape how elections are run in the state — but voters, and many election officials, don’t know exactly how the broadly written proposals would be interpreted by state election officials and the courts. Election officials said the second proposal could have especially unpredictable consequences. That one seeks to ban anybody besides election officials from performing “any task in the conduct of any primary, election, or referendum.” How strict would that ban be? Would it mean that elections officials couldn’t hire private companies to print ballots or assemble voting machines? Or that they couldn’t ask other city workers to set up polling sites? Officials and experts aren’t sure. Read Article

National: Critical federal election administration grant funding struggles through Congress | Carrie Levine/Votebeat

Despite elections being declared critical infrastructure, federal funding allocated to states and territories through the U.S. Election Assistance Commission has dwindled in recent years, creating uncertainty and challenges for election officials. With Congress allocating only $55 million for grants this fiscal year, significantly less than the $400 million recommended by the Bipartisan Policy Center, election offices face difficulties in planning investments and addressing the growing complexity and cost of elections. Read Article

National: How Trump’s Allies Are Winning the War Over Disinformation | Jim Rutenberg and Steven Lee Myers/The New York Times

In the wake of the riot on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2021, a groundswell built in Washington to rein in the onslaught of lies that had fueled the assault on the peaceful transfer of power. Social media companies suspended Donald J. Trump, then the president, and many of his allies from the platforms they had used to spread misinformation about his defeat and whip up the attempt to overturn it. The Biden administration, Democrats in Congress and even some Republicans sought to do more to hold the companies accountable. Academic researchers wrestled with how to strengthen efforts to monitor false posts. Mr. Trump and his allies embarked instead on a counteroffensive, a coordinated effort to block what they viewed as a dangerous effort to censor conservatives. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Cybersecurity experts urge return to hand-marked paper ballots | Peter Hall/Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Hand marked paper ballots that are electronically scanned and stored for future review are the basis of a resilient and trustworthy election system, cybersecurity and election integrity experts told Pennsylvania Senate lawmakers on Monday. They urged members of the Senate State Government Committee to move Pennsylvania away from the use of electronic ballot marking devices, such as the touchscreen voting machines used by the state’s most populous county, Philadelphia, and in Northampton County, where errors involving the machines have twice raised questions about their accuracy. “Election security requires considering a wide range of threats to elections, from simple rainstorms to sophisticated adversaries,” said Kevin Skoglund, president and chief technologist for Citizens for Better Elections, a non-partisan group based in Pennsylvania. “With so many types of threats it may be surprising to learn that the majority of the security risks can be mitigated through two measures: resilience planning, and evidence based elections.” Read Article

National: How Can Government Fight Back Against Disinformation? | Jule Pattison-Gordon/Government Technology

With deepfaked disinformation already plaguing this election year, a panel of experts assembled by the Brookings Institution recently debated how government can play defense, with an eye toward action that stands up in court. So far this year, at least 14 states have introduced bills that address AI-generated election disinformation. The proposals take various approaches, but many would require disclosing use of generative AI. Some ban spreading AI-fabricated election content within a certain time frame before an election while others require a disclaimer and some the depicted individual’s consent. These measures are legally promising, because courts are unlikely to view them as conflicting with the First Amendment, said Shana Broussard, commissioner of the Federal Election Commission (FEC), during the Brookings panel. Read Article

National: GOP attorneys general charge into battle over state election rules | Zachary Roth/News From The States

Republican attorneys general have filed court briefs advocating actions such as discarding certain mail ballots, weakening protections against racial discrimination in voting, approving gerrymandered district maps, and empowering partisan state legislatures to set election rules instead of courts. This involvement reflects a broader trend of increased politicization of their roles, particularly among Republican AGs, who are actively challenging voting protections and advancing conservative legal arguments, potentially impacting the fairness of elections. Read Article

National: Election misinformation is a problem in any language. But some gets more attention than others | David Klepper/Associated Press

Warnings about deepfakes and disinformation fueled by artificial intelligence. Concerns about campaigns and candidates using social media to spread lies about elections. Fears that tech companies will fail to address these issues as their platforms are used to undermine democracy ahead of pivotal elections. Those are the worries facing elections in the U.S., where most voters speak English. But for languages like Spanish, or in dozens of nations where English isn’t the dominant language, there are even fewer safeguards in place to protect voters and democracy against the corrosive effects of election misinformation. It’s a problem getting renewed attention in an election year in which more people than ever will go to the polls. Read Article

National: How far-right conspiracy theories threw this voter integrity system into peril | Erin Mansfield/USA Today

When a far-right disinformation campaign targeted a little-known data tool that helps states update their voter files, people lit up election officials’ phone lines and inboxes. The conspiracy theories accused the program, called Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC, of trying to manipulate votes, and falsely painted a prominent Democratic donor as a shadowy financier pulling the organization’s strings. “It kind of went viral,” said Michael Adams, Kentucky’s Republican secretary of state. “And so, suddenly, I’m getting all kinds of messages. The legislators I’m working with are getting all kinds of messages. And everyone’s panicking.” The messages, Adams said, were “just Kookytown.” Read Article

National: Fearing political violence, more states ban firearms at polling places | Matt Vasilogambros/Stateline

Facing increased threats to election workers and superheated political rhetoric from former President Donald Trump and his supporters, more states are considering firearm bans at polling places and ballot drop boxes ahead of November’s presidential election. This month, New Mexico became the latest state to restrict guns where people vote or hand in ballots, joining at least 21 other states with similar laws — some banning either open or concealed carry but most banning both. Nine of those prohibitions were enacted in the past two years, as states have sought to prevent voter intimidation or even violence at the polls driven by Trump’s false claims of election rigging. At least six states are debating bills that would ban firearms at polling places or expand existing bans to include more locations. Read Article

National Guard ready to assist states with cyber response, say officials | Skylar Rispens/StateScoop

The National Guard, equipped with over 2,000 cybersecurity-trained guardsmen, stands ready to support states’ cyber requirements, according to Major General Joe Jarrard and Brigadier General Teri D. Williams of the National Guard Bureau. With ample capacity and readiness, the Guard’s cyber team is gearing up to assist states with the upcoming November presidential election. Their success in recruiting and retaining cyber professionals is attributed not to monetary incentives but to the unique opportunities for training and community service. This symbiotic relationship between civilian jobs and National Guard service benefits both parties, with guardsmen bringing back enhanced cyber skills to their civilian roles. Read Article

Arizona: Pro-Trump disruptions in Maricopa County elevate fears for the 2024 vote | Yvonne Wingett Sanchez, Adriana Usero/The Washington Post

During a Maricopa County board meeting in Arizona, chaos erupted as attendees rushed towards the dais, shouting that the supervisors were illegitimate, prompting security guards to escort the leaders out amid fears of violence. This incident, reminiscent of events following the 2020 election, has reignited concerns that officials overseeing elections in the county could face threats and intimidation, especially with another presidential election approaching. Read Article

California county on edge over bid to recall far-right, election-denying official | Dani Anguiano/The Guardian

The recall election in northern California’s Shasta County, targeting far-right supervisor Kevin Crye, remains undecided with Crye maintaining a slim lead of less than 50 votes out of over 9,000 cast. Crye, part of a far-right majority on the board, gained attention for his promotion of conspiracy theories and support for manual vote counting, meeting with figures like Mike Lindell of MyPillow. Crye’s potential loss reflects a shift in sentiment, exemplified by incumbent Patrick Jones’s defeat, suggesting voters may be seeking change. Crye’s supporters argue against the recall, portraying it as a Democratic effort, while critics cite his failure to fulfill campaign promises. The outcome could have implications for Shasta County’s political direction, with national figures like Rand Paul and Kari Lake weighing in, and the California governor potentially selecting Crye’s replacement if he loses. Read Article

Michigan: Pro-Trump attorney Stefanie Lambert arrested after hearing over leaking Dominion documents | Joey Cappelletti/Associated Press

Attorney Stefanie Lambert was arrested by U.S. Marshals following a hearing in federal court in Washington, D.C., where she faced possible sanctions for disseminating confidential emails from Dominion Voting Systems, obtained while representing Patrick Byrne. Lambert is also facing criminal charges in Michigan for illegally accessing voting machines after the 2020 election. The arrest came after Lambert acknowledged passing Dominion documents to law enforcement and attached some leaked emails to a filing in her Michigan case. Dominion filed a motion to disqualify Lambert from the Byrne case for violating a protective order, triggering threats against the company. U.S. District Court Judge Moxila A. Upadhyaya scheduled a subsequent hearing to consider sanctions against Lambert. Read Article

Nevada: Republican National Committee sues Secretary of State over voter registration records | Mark Hebert/Courthouse News Service

The Republican National Committee, Nevada Republican Party, and a registered voter have jointly filed a lawsuit against Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar and other election authorities, alleging that several counties in the state maintain outdated or inaccurate voter rolls, thus violating the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Nevada’s attorney general countered the GOP’s claims, arguing that the data used for assessment was flawed and offering alternative datasets for comparison. Read Article

New Hampshire: Seven more towns reject a ban on voting machines | Amanda Gokee/Boston Globe

A proposed ban on voting machines was rejected by voters in seven more towns in New Hampshire, following efforts led by a conservative group, the New Hampshire Patriot Hub, which enlisted the support of Mike Lindell, known for promoting false claims about the 2020 election. Brookline, Newbury, Campton, Meredith, Tamworth, Ossipee, and Plymouth all opted to continue using voting machines, with the proposal failing in varying vote margins or by voice vote. The push to ban voting machines has faced resistance across the state, with previous rejections in five towns and Danville passing a measure requiring a hand count for the presidential election. Read Article

New Jersey: Why Everyone Is Talking About ‘the Line’ | Tracey Tully/The New York Times

New Jersey’s ballot design, featuring favored candidates in a prominent position known as “the line,” is facing a legal challenge that could potentially change the state’s entire electoral system, especially with the high-stakes Democratic primary for U.S. Senate underway. Congressman Andy Kim’s legal challenge argues the current ballot design is unconstitutional, as it disproportionately benefits candidates endorsed by local political leaders, leading to questions about electoral fairness. The lawsuit has gained traction, with New Jersey’s attorney general declaring “the line” unconstitutional, prompting a federal judge to hold a daylong hearing. Read Article

New Jersey: District Judge has skepticism for both sides in first half of county line hearing | Joey Fox/New Jersey Globe

The federal case addressing the constitutionality of the county organizational line in New Jersey’s primary ballots commenced with U.S. District Judge Zahid Quraishi expressing skepticism toward aspects of both parties’ arguments. Rep. Andy Kim and two congressional candidates brought the lawsuit, asserting that the county line unfairly benefits certain candidates. Quraishi raised concerns about considering a letter from New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, who expressed agreement with Kim’s stance but is not directly involved in the case. The proceedings included arguments regarding the feasibility of altering the ballot design before the primary, with the plaintiffs advocating for changes and the defendants asserting that such alterations could cause disruption. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Replacing some voting machines gains bi-partisan support in State Senate | Jordan Wilkie/WITF

Election technology experts testified before the Pennsylvania Senate’s State Government Committee, highlighting vulnerabilities in voting machines used across 20 counties, representing 30% of the state’s voters, particularly critiquing the ballot-marking devices. The experts recommended phasing out the use of ballot marking devices for all voters and transitioning to hand-marked paper ballots, aligning with best practices for election security. Read Article

Texas county’s GOP officials declared hand count a success, but errors raise questions  | Natalia Contreras7Votebeat

After certifying the primary election results in Gillespie County, Republican Party Chairman Bruce Campbell discovered a discrepancy, prompting a scramble to rectify the error. Despite being a low-profile primary, Gillespie Republicans opted for a hand-counted ballot process, challenging machine tabulations over concerns about accuracy. However, errors arose during the count, requiring corrections in nearly every precinct, though no outcomes were affected. Despite assurances from Campbell, who spent a weekend reviewing tally sheets, experts warn that without an audit or recount, questions about the accuracy of the tallies persist, especially given the numerous errors found. Read Article

Washington Governor Signs Three Elections Bills | Matt Cohen/Democracy Docket

Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed three election-related bills into law last week aimed at facilitating voting and enhancing election security. These bills, introduced at the request of Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, expand the ease of certifying elections, maintain voter registration information, and introduce security measures against cyber hacking and election interference. Senate Bill 5843 allows the secretary of state to certify election results in counties where canvassing boards refuse to do so without reason, while House Bill 1962 eliminates the requirement for voters moving within the state to re-register. Another bill, Senate Bill 6269, initiates a pilot program for counties to test new options for signature verification on ballots, addressing concerns about the error-prone nature of current verification methods. Read Article

Wisconsin: Ballot Measure May Scare Away the People Who Help Run Elections | Alex Burness/Bolts

For the past two years, Nick Ramos has volunteered his time to ensure more Wisconsinites can participate in elections: with a mobile printer in hand, he visits polling places in the Milwaukee area to help people who lack proper identification obtain it on the spot, so that they are eligible to vote. But Ramos, who directs the Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, an organization that promotes good government, says he may not volunteer in the future if voters approve Question 2, a constitutional amendment on the state’s April 2 ballot. “This thing gets passed, and I’d be very afraid to do that again,” he told Bolts. The measure would require that only “an election official designated by law may perform tasks in the conduct of primaries, elections or referendums.” It can easily read as an innocuous codification of existing statute, and it has generated no campaign spending on either side of the issue since Republican lawmakers chose to place it on the ballot late last year. Read Article

Wisconsin is lagging behind other swing states in shoring up election policies following 2020 chaos | Adam Edelman/NBC

Wisconsin, a critical battleground state, faces significant challenges in shoring up its election integrity ahead of the next presidential contest. Despite being a focal point of election disputes in 2020, little legislative action has been taken to address vulnerabilities exploited by Donald Trump’s campaign. Efforts to clarify absentee ballot procedures and close loopholes remain stalled, exacerbating concerns among election officials and watchdogs. The decentralized nature of election administration and partisan gridlock have hindered progress, with the Wisconsin Elections Commission facing partisan attacks and threats. Read Article

National: America’s election chiefs are worried AI is coming for them | Zach Montellaro/Politico

Election officials are increasingly concerned about the potential for AI-generated misinformation to disrupt the democratic process, with scenarios including false communications from state officials, manipulated videos, and phishing attempts targeting election workers. These attacks exploit the obscurity yet importance of election officials, making them vulnerable targets. To combat this threat, election officials are incorporating AI scenarios into their training programs and planning public education campaigns to counter misinformation. Read Article

National: China, Russia and Iran capable of disrupting 2024 elections, intel assessment warns | David DiMolfetta/Nextgov/FCW

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence released an assessment stating that China, Russia, and Iran are capable of and likely to launch cyberattacks aimed at disrupting the U.S. presidential election in November. The report highlights concerns about misinformation and disinformation campaigns, with China potentially using state-run TikTok accounts to influence election outcomes. Moscow sees the elections as an opportunity for influence operations, while Iran may attempt to conduct influence operations targeting U.S. elections, as it has done in the past. There are fears that a loss of faith in electoral systems could lead to widespread voter fraud claims, similar to those seen in the 2020 election, and potentially result in violence. Additionally, reductions in content moderator staff at social media companies are seen as a major risk to election integrity, while the lack of communication between these companies and government agencies like the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency further complicates efforts to combat election interference. Read Article

National: With AI afoot, state election officials ask federal lawmakers for more funding | Sophia Fox-Sowell/StateScoop

State and local election officials testified before the Senate Rules Committee about the increasing threat of AI-generated deepfakes to election security, urging lawmakers to pass legislation addressing challenges posed by artificial intelligence. With all 50 states introducing legislation to regulate deepfakes since 2019, and 15 states passing such legislation, concerns were raised about misinformation, disinformation, and foreign interference in elections. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson advocated for the Preparing Election Administrators for AI Act, emphasizing the need for federal investment in U.S. elections to combat AI-generated threats. Read Article

National: Top US cybersecurity agency hacked and forced to take some systems offline | Sean Lyngaas/CNN

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recently discovered it was hacked, prompting the shutdown of two key computer systems—one facilitating the sharing of security tools among federal, state, and local officials, and the other containing information on security assessments of chemical facilities. Although there is currently no operational impact, the incident underscores the vulnerability of organizations to cyber threats and highlights the importance of having robust incident response plans in place. The hack exploited vulnerabilities in virtual private networking software made by Ivanti, with CISA urging agencies and firms to update their software. Read Article