National: Why countering false election claims may be harder in 2024 | Shannon Bond and Miles Parks/NPR

Election officials and experts express concerns over the growing pressure from the political right, led by figures like former President Donald Trump and GOP Congressman Jim Jordan, that has framed efforts to combat election misinformation as censorship. A campaign of legal and political pressure has led to the scaling back or dismantling of tools and partnerships designed to address falsehoods, even as foreign threats and concerns about misinformation persist. Instances like the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security’s Disinformation Governance Board and a lawsuit alleging collusion between the Biden administration and social media companies have contributed to a chilling effect on efforts to combat election-related rumors and conspiracy theories. This pressure has also affected social media platforms’ willingness to police false claims and misinformation, raising concerns about the ability to counter election-related falsehoods effectively. Read Article

National: Microsoft, Meta detail plans to fight election disinformation in 2024 | Brandon Vigliarolo/The Register

Microsoft and Meta have unveiled initiatives to address misinformation in the lead-up to the 2024 elections, although the effectiveness of these strategies remains uncertain. Microsoft’s five-step election protection plan, set to be implemented in several countries with critical elections in 2024, includes a Content Credentials service for digital watermarking of images and videos to verify authenticity. However, concerns exist regarding its recognition in Chrome and other web browsers and the potential for metadata tampering. Microsoft also plans to offer advisory services to political campaigns on handling AI and cyber influence, establish an Election Communications Hub, and support legislative changes against harmful uses of technology like the Protect Elections from Deceptive AI Act, introduced in the US Senate in September. Meta, on the other hand, is focusing on ad transparency, requiring disclosure for digitally manipulated or altered content in social, electoral, or political ads, aiming to combat misinformation disseminated through ads. This change will be implemented globally in 2024.  Read Article

National: Readying an Election Administration Workforce for What Comes Next | Carl Smith/Governing

The Election Workforce Advisory Council, established by The Elections Group in partnership with the Bipartisan Policy Center, aims to address the evolving role of election administrators in the U.S. As the responsibilities of election officials have expanded to include IT management, legal compliance, cybersecurity, and public health measures due to factors like the COVID-19 pandemic and increased security threats, the council will work on long-term projects to enhance training, recruitment, and retention of election administrators. The initiative is expected to help adapt to the changing demands of the role and provide support for election officials, particularly as many have left their positions in recent years. Read Article

California: Shasta County’s ballot counting controversy came to a surprising end Tuesday. What happened? | Damon Arthur and David Benda/Redding Record Searchlight

The election in Shasta County gained significance due to a dispute over how to count the ballots, drawing observers from across the state. The main focus was selecting a new member for the Gateway Unified School District board and deciding on a new fire protection district in Shasta. The disagreement led to Shasta County becoming the only one in the state to tally votes by hand, a decision opposed by Registrar of Voters Cathy Darling Allen. Despite a new law against hand counting, Chairman Patrick Jones threatened legal action to continue it. Voter advocacy groups expressed concerns about integrity, prompting observers from various organizations. Media coverage highlighted the statewide importance of the election. Read Article

Connecticut: How a nullified mayoral primary election became a rallying cry for Trump supporters | Marshall Cohen/CNN

An illegal voting scheme has become a rallying point for former President Donald Trump and his supporters who continue to propagate false claims about the security of the 2020 elections and are seeking to sow doubt ahead of the 2024 presidential contest. While election experts argue that fears of widespread fraud in U.S. elections are exaggerated, the case in Connecticut underscores potential vulnerabilities with mail-in voting. A state judge recently nullified the results of September’s Democratic mayoral primary in Bridgeport, ruling that allies of the incumbent mayor violated state law by stuffing hundreds of ballots into dropboxes. This incident has been seized upon by right-wing figures, including Trump and Elon Musk, to bolster unfounded claims of nationwide vote-rigging. Read Article

Kentucky: Madison County Clerk pushes back against ballot-marking machine manufacturer claims | Ricky Sayer/Lex18

ES&S claims the ExpressVote ballot marking devices used in 23 Kentucky counties, where at least seven faced reported touch screen issues, were working as designed. Madison County Clerk Kenny Barger responded that that may be true, but if it is, it means the machines were poorly designed. “They’re designed for voters, not election experts,” said Barger. “It’s voting, it has to work well for the voter.” Some voters experienced issues with the machines recognizing clicks on the check-box for a straight Democratic ticket as a Republican straight-party ticket. The manufacturer plans to remove the check box in future versions of the machines. Read Article

Mississippi: A cyber breach delays poll worker training in Hinds County before the statewide vote | Associated Press

In Mississippi’s Hinds County, election officials faced a time crunch to complete necessary poll worker training after a computer breach in early September hindered their access. Typically, this training is finished by early October, well in advance of the November general election, but due to the breach, staff had to work up to the deadline to complete it. Federal authorities are currently investigating the incident. While the cyber incident did cause a slight delay in voter registration processing, it was resolved within a few days, and all applications were processed before the October 10 deadline. Read Article

Montana: Officials tout progress with new election management software | Alex Sakariassen/Montana Free Press

Montana state officials express confidence in the readiness of the new ElectMT election management software, developed by by KNOWiNK, after testing it in local elections this year. While acknowledging some bugs and routine changes, the elections manager stated that overall feedback from county election administrators has been positive. ElectMT officially replaced the 17-year-old Montana Votes system in January 2023, serving as the central hub for voter registration and reporting election night results. Specific improvements include the ability for voters to track school and municipal ballots, accurate mapping of voter addresses, and ongoing efforts to enter newly redrawn legislative boundaries for next year’s state elections. Read Article

Oregon: Petitioners fail to put hand-counting on the ballot in Douglas County | Roman Battaglia/Jefferson Public Radio

Three board members of the Douglas County Republican Party have faced repeated denials in their attempt to get a petition approved, which aims to require the county to hand-count ballots in future elections. They’ve submitted six petitions since last year, all of which have been denied by the County Clerk. The latest proposal was turned down in mid-October. One of the petitioners argues that electronic voting machines lack transparency and cannot be checked by the public, emphasizing the importance of decentralized decision-making in the electoral process. The County Clerk maintains that the latest petition did not meet the requirements of being a matter of county concern and legislative, and declined to offer further clarification. The Secretary of State’s office states that these terms do not have official definitions, leaving it up to the county clerk to assess if the initiative aligns with state constitutional requirements. Read Article

Pennsylvania: Voting machines in Northampton County misprinted votes on paper ballots | Carter Walker/Votebeat

A programming error in Northampton County’s voting machines led to votes for two Pennsylvania Superior Court candidates being incorrectly printed on voters’ paper ballots, although officials assured that the correct selections were recorded on the machines. Pre-election testing should have caught the issue before the November 7 election, but it was incomplete. The problem only affected the judicial race printout, and the tabulation will accurately reflect voters’ intentions. The county’s spokesperson acknowledged that the issue should have been identified in pre-election testing and emphasized the error was limited to one race. The voting machine manufacturer accepted responsibility for the labeling error causing the problem. Read Article

How a Pennsylvania judge of elections handled a “hectic” polling place | Carter Walker/Votebeat

Jay Schneider, overseeing his polling place in Caln Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, on his first Election Day as a judge of elections, faced initial challenges with staffing and coordination. Despite a rocky start, Schneider, who transitioned from a poll worker role, managed the precinct efficiently, addressing issues, adapting to higher-than-expected voter turnout, and collaborating with support from the county’s emergency operations center and additional poll workers. While acknowledging the stress and learning curve, Schneider expressed satisfaction in contributing to the election process and helping voters cast their ballots, emphasizing the importance of refining operations for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. Read Article

A former Utah county clerk is accused of shredding and mishandling 2020 and 2022 ballots | Mead Gruver/Associated Press

Former Juab County Clerk/Auditor Alaina Lofgran in Utah is facing charges for allegedly mishandling and shredding ballots from both the 2020 and 2022 elections, involving approximately 5,000 voters. It is alleged that she violated the law by allowing ballots to be shredded after the 2022 election when they should have been preserved for at least 22 months for potential recounts. Additionally, Lofgran is accused of improperly storing 2020 election ballots in an accessible basement storage room, contrary to state law which mandates secure storage. The charges include three felonies and other counts related to the neglect of duty, destruction of ballots, and misconduct. The allegations do not imply a political motive, but rather a violation of election law. Read Article

Virginia county stumbles in the first election after its conspiracy-fueled staff exodus | Jane C. Timm/NBC

Buckingham County was the last Virginia locality to post unofficial tallies Wednesday morning, causing concern and frustration among voters and cndidates. The delay was attributed to difficulties in inputting results, according to a spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Elections. Earlier this year, baseless allegations of voter fraud led to the resignation of four election staff members and the hiring and subsequent firing of a replacement registrar, with Ginger Chiesa eventually taking over and working to restore confidence in the voting process. Despite smooth voting operations, the delay in reporting results left some feeling disheartened and concerned about potential controversy. “Of course I’m happy with it,” commented Paul Garrett, a candidate for the county Board of Supervisors. “But in the midst of all this stuff that’s going on now, it’s going to be another hotbed for controversy.” Read Article

Wisconsin Governor to sign amended bill that will allow clerks to begin processing ballots a day early | Hope Karnopp/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Governor Tony Evers is expected to sign a bill allowing clerks in Wisconsin to begin processing absentee ballots a day early, following bipartisan support in the Republican-controlled Assembly. The legislation aims to address concerns about late processing leading to voter confusion and conspiracy theories. The bill, which mandates Monday processing for central count communities (those processing all absentee ballots in one location), also includes provisions for clerks to periodically report ballot counts and for circuit courts to promptly inform the Wisconsin Elections Commission about voters deemed ineligible. Some proposed amendments, such as prohibiting early running of ballots through voting equipment, were removed in favor of increased efficiency, according to clerks. Read Article

California: Shasta County ditched its Dominion voting machines. Now, residents are braced for turmoil on Nov. 7 | Jessica Garrison and Hailey Branson-Potts/Los Angeles Times

Shasta County, with a predominantly Republican population, is on edge as it nears its local election, with concerns of potential unrest or violence. The Board of Supervisors, leaning far-right, aimed to hand-count ballots after unproven voter fraud claims, but Governor Newsom intervened and signed a law limiting counties from doing so. The county registrar, Cathy Darling Allen, plans to follow state law and use newly purchased machines, which has sparked outrage among residents subscribing to election fraud conspiracy theories. This situation is emblematic of the larger trend of election officials facing threats and intimidation across the country. The standoff in Shasta is closely watched as a precursor to the 2024 elections, and experts express concern over the escalating rhetoric and division in modern American democracy. Read Article

Guilty pleas stack up in Georgia, but lies continue to reverberate | Carrie Levine/Votebeat

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is investigating Cochise County supervisors Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd, both Republicans, for their refusal to certify the county’s midterm election results within the state-required deadline. The subpoenas, issued by Mayes’ office, do not specify the criminal violations being investigated. The two supervisors had initially voted to postpone the certification, citing unfounded claims about ballot tabulation machines, and also attempted to implement a full hand count of all ballots, both of which were deemed illegal. Mayes’ probe aims to deter similar disruptions in future elections, potentially setting a precedent for holding officials accountable for their duties in accordance with state law. Read Article

National: State and local election workers quitting amid abuse, officials tell U.S. Senate panel | Jacob Fischler/Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Election officials from several states testified at a U.S. Senate committee hearing about the increasing threats and intimidation they face, which have led experienced workers to leave the profession. Conspiracy theories and misinformation have fueled a hostile environment for election workers, prompting many to quit, creating challenges for the inexperienced new leaders. This situation has worsened since 2020, with officials in Arizona and Pennsylvania reporting significant resignations. The hostile environment has made it difficult to retain experienced poll workers and recruit and train new ones, presenting a major challenge in running elections. The panel emphasized the bipartisan nature of the issue and the need for continued federal funding to address it. Read Article

National: Republicans claw back control of elections in key states | Zach Montellaro/Politico

Republican officials in key battleground states are focusing on asserting more control over the election process, particularly targeting offices and agencies responsible for overseeing elections. Efforts include attempts to oust Wisconsin’s elections chief over baseless 2020 election conspiracies, restructuring election boards in North Carolina that could lead to stalemates on key issues like early voting, and dismantling the election office in Texas’ largest county. These moves, seen as part of a broader trend, have raised concerns about the potential impact on public confidence in the electoral system and may disrupt preparations for the 2024 elections. Read Article

National: White House 2024: AI Threatens To ‘Supercharge’ Disinformation | Anuj Chopra/AFP

The upcoming 2024 White House race is expected to be heavily influenced by advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools, presenting both opportunities and challenges. AI programs can now generate realistic images, videos, and text impersonating political figures, potentially confusing voters and eroding trust in the electoral process. Campaigns are also utilizing AI for tasks like voter database analysis and fundraising emails. However, this technology’s potential for disinformation campaigns is concerning, with AI-generated content being used to distort the truth and smear opponents. A recent poll indicates that over 50% of Americans believe AI-enabled falsehoods will impact the outcome of the 2024 election, and around one-third will be less trusting of the results due to AI-generated content. While AI provides new tools for understanding voters and trends, there’s a growing need for regulations and standards to curb its potential for misuse in political campaigns. Read Article

Arizona: Cochise County officials who refused to certify election now under investigation by attorney general | Jen Fifield/Votebeat

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes is investigating Cochise County supervisors Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd, both Republicans, for their refusal to certify the county’s midterm election results within the state-required deadline. The subpoenas, issued by Mayes’ office, do not specify the criminal violations being investigated. The two supervisors had initially voted to postpone the certification, citing unfounded claims about ballot tabulation machines, and also attempted to implement a full hand count of all ballots, both of which were deemed illegal. Mayes’ probe aims to deter similar disruptions in future elections, potentially setting a precedent for holding officials accountable for their duties in accordance with state law. Read Article

California: Shasta County voting machines: An accusation of ‘staged chaos’ rings out at tense meeting | David Benda/Redding Record Searchlight

The Shasta County Board of Supervisors in California is grappling with internal divisions and controversies surrounding election procedures, particularly in the wake of a decision to switch from Dominion Voting Systems to Hart InterCivic. Board Chair Patrick Jones, along with two other supervisors, had advocated for hand-counted ballots, leading to tension and allegations of misinformation. Critics argue that the board majority’s focus on issues like Second Amendment rights, COVID-19 mandates, and election security is causing unnecessary discord and diverting attention from more pressing matters like the homeless crisis, crime, and jail capacity. The situation reflects a broader trend of political polarization and controversial local decision-making. Read Article

Connecticut city’s ‘mishandled ballots’ fuel election skeptics. Experts call problem local, limited | Susan Haigh/The Washington Post

A judge’s decision to order a new primary in Bridgeport, Connecticut, due to mishandling of absentee ballots has raised concerns about the security of U.S. elections and fueled conspiracy theories related to the 2020 presidential election. However, election experts emphasize that the situation in Bridgeport is unique and not indicative of widespread issues. An Associated Press review found fewer than 475 potential cases of voter fraud in the six contested states from the 2020 election, a number that wouldn’t have affected the outcome. The Bridgeport case involves “ballot harvesting,” which is prohibited in Connecticut but allowed in some other states. The judge’s ruling creates a complex scenario with Bridgeport voters participating in both a mayoral election and a potential new Democratic primary. Read Article

District of Columbia Board of Election Data Breach Leaked the Entire Voter Roll, Including personal identifiable information | Alicia Hope/CPO Magazine

The District of Columbia Board of Elections (DCBOE) confirmed a data breach, revealing that the entire voter roll was exposed. The breach, attributed to a Russian ransomware group called RansomedVC, was discovered on October 6. DCBOE determined that the hackers compromised a server operated by hosting provider DataNet Systems, but internal databases or systems were not affected. The exposed information includes names, addresses, voting records, and political party affiliations, which are public records unless specifically protected. While the exact number of affected records is unknown, initial assessments suggested fewer than 4,000 voters were impacted. DCBOE has engaged with federal agencies and cybersecurity experts to investigate the incident and secure voter data and systems. The breach did not impact the voter registration process, which remains operational as the affected website is being restored. Read Article

Georgia senators grill election officials on voting security | Mark Niesse/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia senators are demanding answers about election security, questioning why the state’s voting system won’t be upgraded until after the 2024 elections and criticizing Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. They suggested quicker software updates, an elimination of QR codes on Georgia ballots, security markings on every ballot, and the introduction of paper ballots filled out by hand instead of by voting touchscreens. State election officials responded that Georgia’s election technology is secure from tampering as they test equipment ahead of next year’s elections and plan audits afterward. Read Article

Idaho: A Canyon County voting machine accepted a photocopied ballot, but officials aren’t worried – here’s why | Erin Banks Rusby/Idaho Press

In preparation for the upcoming election, Canyon County conducts a “logic and accuracy” test to verify the proper functioning of ballot scanners. During a recent test, a member of the public suggested running photocopied ballots through the machine, which surprisingly were accepted. This raised concerns about the security of the voting process. Secretary of State Phil McGrane clarified that only two counties in Idaho use unique identifiers on ballots, and others like Canyon County have alternative safeguards to prevent duplicate submissions. County officials emphasized the multiple layers of security in place, including the scrutiny of poll workers, making it highly unlikely for a voter to submit duplicated ballots. While unique identifiers offer traceability, concerns about voter privacy and secure ballots come into play. Further discussions with election officials and voting equipment providers are planned to address any potential gaps in the system. Read Article

Michigan House advances protections for poll workers, restrictions on AI in political ads | Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance

The Michigan House of Representatives passed bills aimed at safeguarding elections and election officials. House Bills 4129 and 4130 establish penalties for intimidating or obstructing election officials in the performance of their duties. Violations would range from misdemeanors with fines and imprisonment to felony charges. The legislation defines election officials and specifies what constitutes intimidation. The House also approved bipartisan bills requiring disclaimers on political ads that use artificial intelligence, with penalties for deceptive practices. The bills will move to the Senate Committee on Elections and Ethics for further consideration. These measures come in response to threats and intimidation faced by election workers, with 1 in 3 officials having experienced such incidents, according to a survey by the Brennan Center for Justice. Read Article

Ohio: Misinformation is flowing ahead of abortion vote. Some is coming from a legislative website. | Julie Carr Smyth and Christine Fernando/Associated Press

The official government website of the Republican-controlled Ohio Senate is featuring inflammatory language opposing a reproductive rights measure, which is typically seen in contentious campaign initiatives. The messaging, warning of extreme scenarios related to the measure, is not only promoted by anti-abortion groups but is also present on the government website. This content, published on the “On The Record” blog, is impacting online search results for information about the reproductive rights measure, Issue 1, which is set to be voted on by Ohio citizens on November 7. The blog is presented as an “online newsroom” providing perspectives not covered by mainstream news outlets, and includes content from Republican state senators and conservative figures. Experts consider this effort by Republican lawmakers to be unprecedented, as it aims to influence public perception through a government platform, potentially misguiding voters seeking objective information. Read Article

Pennsylvanians Are About to Decide Who Will Oversee the 2024 Elections | Daniel Nichanian/Bolts

The upcoming Nov. 7 elections in Pennsylvania’s counties, particularly Bucks County, hold significant implications for voting accessibility. Since county officials in Pennsylvania have broad authority over election procedures, including mail-in voting protocols, the outcomes will determine policies like ballot curing (allowing voters to correct minor mistakes on mail ballots). The races may influence whether procedures facilitating mail voting, such as drop boxes, will remain in place. Republicans gaining control could potentially roll back these measures, impacting the 2024 elections. Advocates are urging for statewide mandates, like House Bill 847, to ensure uniform voting standards across counties and safeguard voters’ access to the ballot. Read Article

Texas: Poll worker heart attack in Williamson County highlights poll watcher tensions | Natalia Contreras/Votebeat

A poll worker in Williamson County, Texas, initially had a heart attack while working at an early voting site. County officials initially blamed a voter fraud activist and poll watcher, Laura Pressley, for the incident, accusing her of causing the worker’s distress. However, after Pressley threatened legal action, Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell Jr. retracted the accusation and issued an apology. The incident highlights growing tensions between partisan poll watchers and election workers, escalating since the 2020 election, with baseless accusations and harassment making it difficult for election workers to do their jobs effectively. Pressley, a vocal opponent of electronic voting systems, has a history of suing counties and election officials over perceived violations of the Texas Election Code. She applied for the role of Williamson County elections administrator after the previous official’s resignation but was not selected. Read Article

A Virginia election chief says the ‘big lie’ ended her career. She’s fighting back. | Justin Jouvenal/The Washington Post

Christine Gibbons, a voting registrar in Virginia, faced harassment and allegations of fraud after the 2020 election. Accused of corruption and taken to court over baseless claims, Gibbons ultimately lost her position when the Republican-controlled board decided not to reappoint her. She filed a lawsuit, asserting that the board violated her First Amendment rights by removing her for partisan reasons. Legal experts suggest her case could set a precedent, as more election workers fight back against false allegations inspired by Trump’s claims of voter fraud. This comes amid a broader wave of election officials facing threats and intimidation, exacerbating a growing crisis in the profession. Reads Article