National: Election Officials Seek to Bolster Public Trust | Carl Smith/Governing

As the upcoming general election approaches, a significant challenge for election officials lies in bridging the gap between the public’s awareness of the technical aspects and ethical standards of their work. Recently, a bipartisan group of current election officials revised a longstanding code of ethics to emphasize these standards during a crucial election period. While most Americans trust the fairness of elections, there’s a decline in Republican confidence, highlighting the importance of educating voters about election processes and ethical principles to combat false claims. The updated standards aim to provide common language across jurisdictions and outline steps for their application, promoting fair treatment and professional behavior.Read Article

How CISA Fights Cyber Threats During Election Primary Season | David Strom/Dark Reading

CISA is actively addressing concerns surrounding election security and integrity, establishing an Election Operations Center to coordinate threat responses during primaries. Despite no credible threats detected during Super Tuesday and previous primaries, CISA has enhanced cybersecurity support for state and local election officials, offering training programs, guidelines for security exercises, and hiring cybersecurity specialists. While traditional cybersecurity threats like DDoS and ransomware attacks remain a concern, the sophistication of attacks has evolved, with deepfake videos and misinformation campaigns posing new challenges. Efforts to combat these threats include partnerships with tech vendors and the creation of myth-busting websites. Additionally, focus has shifted to physical security, with initiatives to protect election workers and enhance the security of electronic voting machines. Read Article

National: Concern Over AI Interfering With Elections Remains Strong | Ethan Baron/GovTech

As the 2024 election approaches, concerns over the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in spreading misinformation are rising among elections officials and law enforcement agencies. Mock scenarios involving AI-generated fake news reports have been discussed, highlighting the potential threat posed by AI in influencing voter behavior. Recent incidents, such as the use of AI to create fake robocalls impersonating President Joe Biden, have prompted federal action to address the issue. While AI-enabled hacking of voting systems is considered less of a concern due to robust defenses, the spread of AI-generated misinformation targeting voters is seen as a significant risk. Read Article

National: Top AI-image generators show Biden hospitalized, election workers destroying voting machines—and other falsehoods | Sheila Dang/Reuters

Research conducted by the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) highlights the potential misuse of AI-powered image creation tools, including those from OpenAI and Microsoft, in spreading election-related disinformation despite policies against creating misleading content. Using generative AI tools, CCDH produced images depicting scenarios like President Joe Biden in a hospital bed and election workers destroying voting machines, raising concerns about false claims ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election. These tools, including OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus and Microsoft’s Image Creator, were found to generate misleading images in 41% of tests, particularly susceptible to prompts related to election fraud. Midjourney, in particular, performed poorly, generating misleading images in 65% of tests, with some already being used to create deceptive political content. While some companies, like Stability AI, have updated their policies to prohibit fraud and disinformation, others are working to prevent abuse of their tools, underscoring the ongoing challenge in preserving election integrity amidst technological advancements. Read Article

Arizona voters will face more frequent checks on citizenship, residency | Jen Fifield/Votebeat

Arizona election officials are set to implement new laws after a federal judge upheld them, requiring frequent checks on voters’ U.S. citizenship and proof of residency for registration. These laws aim to prevent non-citizens from voting, although instances of such voter fraud are rare. While the laws could disproportionately affect certain groups, including lower-income individuals and naturalized citizens, the judge ruled they are not discriminatory. The regulations outline processes for verifying citizenship and residency, with county recorders tasked with investigating voter eligibility. However, concerns have been raised regarding potential disenfranchisement of Native Americans and out-of-state college students. Read Article

Arizona investigators issue grand jury subpoenas as state’s 2020 Trump election probe accelerates | Betsy Woodruff Swan and Kyle Cheney/Politico

Arizona prosecutors have escalated their criminal investigation into Donald Trump’s 2020 campaign’s attempts to overturn Joe Biden’s victory in the state, issuing grand jury subpoenas to multiple individuals connected to Trump’s campaign. Attorney General Kris Mayes is nearing a decision on potential charges against Trump’s allies, including GOP activists who falsely posed as presidential electors. The investigation also involves scrutiny of individuals close to Trump’s national campaign, such as Mark Meadows and Trump attorneys John Eastman and Kenneth Chesebro. Chesebro, who pleaded guilty for his role in organizing false electors in other states, has cooperated with investigators and agreed to speak with Arizona prosecutors. Read Article

Georgia: What we learned about voting security by touring a county election HQ | Ryan Zickgraf/Atlanta Civic Circle

To explain how the Georgia election was supposedly stolen for President Joe Biden in 2020, former President Donald Trump described the hypothetical sabotage of the voting system simplistically.  “With the turn of a dial or the change of a chip, you can press a button for Trump, and it goes to Biden,” Trump said in a December 2020 speech. A recent behind-the-scenes tour by the Atlanta Civic Circle sheds light on how the system operates, revealing that there are no dials as Trump suggested. Instead, votes are recorded on yellow memory cards, printed on paper ballots with a QR code, and then scanned for tabulation. The system is not connected to the internet until the results are transported to a secure server room. Despite ongoing concerns about security, the voting machines are sealed and monitored extensively, and rigorous testing ensures their functionality ahead of elections. This glimpse into the process highlights the meticulous preparation and security measures involved in conducting elections in Georgia. Read Article

Kansas Senate rejects election bill amended to force hand counts of Kansas paper ballots | Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector

The Kansas Senate rejected a complex election bill on Tuesday, marked by an amendment mandating paper ballots and hand counts without computer technology, proposed by GOP Senator Mark Steffen. Despite concerns raised by Senate President Ty Masterson regarding potential veto by Democratic Governor Laura Kelly, the amendment was included in Senate Bill 365, leading to its defeat in a 18-22 vote. While some senators argued for enhanced election security, critics cautioned against regressive measures, including removal of ballot drop boxes and reliance on outdated hand-counting methods, deeming them costly and prone to error. Read Article

Louisiana Secretary of State to push for new voting machines | Richard Meek/Hammond Star

Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry emphasizes the urgent need for new voting machines as the state’s current ones are over 30 years old and frequently require cannibalization for parts. Landry highlights the establishment of the Voting System Commission to evaluate suitable voting machine options, with 85 percent of voters preferring advanced touch screen technology with a paper record. She stresses the importance of incorporating a paper component for recounts and audits, aiming to modernize the state’s election infrastructure while ensuring a reliable backup system. Read Article

Michigan judge issues warrant for lawyer who worked to reverse 2020 election | Craig Mauger/The Detroit News

Stefanie Lambert, a lawyer involved in efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election, faces additional legal trouble after failing to appear for a hearing regarding her compliance with court orders related to fingerprinting and DNA samples. The Oakland County judge issued a bench warrant for her arrest, expressing frustration at her repeated non-compliance. Lambert, already facing felony charges for her alleged involvement in a conspiracy to obtain voting equipment improperly, has been accused of deceiving prosecutors and is now subject to arrest. Her lawyer cited confusion surrounding the hearing, but the prosecutor deemed the bench warrant necessary. Read Article

Pennsylvania court rules electronic voting data is not subject to release under public records law | Mark Scolforo/Associated Press

A Pennsylvania court ruled 5-2 against granting public access to spreadsheets containing raw data associated with every ballot cast in the 2020 General Election in Lycoming County. The case began with a request by election researcher Heather Honey, whose work has been linked to right-wing attacks on voting procedures. The court concluded that the cast vote records, considered the modern equivalent of traditional ballot boxes, are not subject to public scrutiny under the state’s Right-to-Know Law. The majority opinion emphasized that optical scanners used in the election qualify as voting machines, thus falling under the law’s protection of voting machine contents. Despite arguments that releasing the data wouldn’t compromise ballot secrecy, the court upheld the decision, prompting consideration of an appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Read Article

Pennsylvania was deluged by election lawsuits in 2020. Experts say 2024 will be even more intense. | by Angela Couloumbis/Spotlight PA

Republican state lawmakers in Pennsylvania initiated a federal lawsuit to challenge executive actions expanding voter registration, arguing that such measures encroached upon the legislature’s constitutional authority regarding election procedures. This lawsuit signifies the start of what is anticipated to be a year marked by significant legal battles over various aspects of Pennsylvania’s electoral processes, particularly with the impending rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump. Potential litigation topics include the legality of drop boxes and the validity of mail ballots, with one case concerning undated or misdated mail ballots potentially reaching the U.S. Supreme Court. Read Article

South Dakota: Petitions circulate in at least 18 counties to eliminate vote tabulators and require hand counting | Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight

South Dakotans advocating for enhanced election security are mobilizing efforts to mandate hand-counting of ballots in the upcoming general election, with petitions circulated in multiple counties. State law permits citizens to petition for proposed laws to be voted on publicly, requiring signatures from 5% of registered voters in a jurisdiction; some completed petitions have already been submitted in Lawrence and McPherson counties. The movement, led by the South Dakota Canvassing Group, seeks to overhaul election procedures in response to concerns raised since the 2020 election, particularly regarding the security of electronic tabulators. However, legal experts and lawmakers are scrutinizing these petitions for potential violations of state and federal laws, including disability rights provisions, prompting legislative action to allow authorities to reject petitions deemed illegal. Read Article

Texas: ‘This was a circus’: Gillespie County GOP hand-counts ballots through the night for primary results | Natalia ContrerasandJessica Huseman/Votebeat

Despite initial expectations for a prompt return of results, the Gillespie County Republican Party’s decision to hand-count primary ballots resulted in an unexpected all-night endeavor, concluding at 4:30 a.m. The process, involving nearly 200 people and more than 8,000 ballots, ran contrary to expert advice citing its inefficiency and costliness compared to machine-based tabulation. While the party footed the immediate bill, Texas taxpayers are likely to cover most expenses through state reimbursements. Despite logistical challenges, some party members expressed enthusiasm for the traditional method, while others, including voters, found it unnecessary and antiquated, prompting questions about its future use and efficacy in the county. Read Article

Wisconsin fake elector settlement offers new details on the strategy by Trump lawyers | Sophia Tareen/Associated Press

A settlement reached in a lawsuit on Monday revealed that two attorneys for former President Donald Trump orchestrated a plan for fake electors to submit paperwork falsely claiming Trump won Wisconsin in an attempt to overturn Joe Biden’s 2020 victory. The settlement, which followed a civil lawsuit brought by Democrats in 2022, unveiled over 1,400 pages of documents, emails, and text messages detailing the scheme’s origins and replication in six other states. Although there is no admission of wrongdoing in the agreements, the attorneys promise not to participate in similar efforts in future presidential campaigns, with one also agreeing to pay an undisclosed amount to the plaintiffs. The documents illustrate how the attorneys utilized arcane laws to draft false certificates for fake electors and strategized to delay deadlines for certifying electoral votes while attempting to sway public opinion. Read Article

South Dakota: Hand counting-voting machines debate rages | Stu Whitney/South Dakota News Watch

A survey involving 49 out of the state’s 66 county auditors revealed that nearly 90% of respondents do not consider hand counting an effective and efficient method of tabulating ballots due to increased chances of human error and time consumption, with many expressing trust in current tabulation machines. Despite a state law mandating post-election audits using hand counts, some auditors advocate for hand counting only in smaller elections, while others, like Minnehaha County Auditor Leah Anderson, support hand counting with proper training and resources. Read Article

National: AI can be easily used to make fake election photos – report | Mike Wendling/BBC

The Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) found that despite prohibitions on creating misleading images, researchers were successful 41% of the time in generating fake election-related images using popular AI tools like Midjourney, OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus, Stability.ai’s DreamStudio, and Microsoft’s Image Creator. These images included fictional depictions of presidential candidates engaged in compromising situations and fake scenarios undermining trust in the voting system, such as tampering with ballots and voting machines. While some platforms blocked the creation of images featuring real politicians, they were less effective in preventing the production of false images related to voting and polling places. The CCDH called for AI companies to implement safeguards like keyword filters and restrictions on creating images of real politicians to combat the spread of AI-generated misinformation. In response, companies like OpenAI, Stability AI, Midjourney, and Microsoft stated that they are working to strengthen safeguards and prevent the abuse of AI-generated content, especially during elections. Read Article

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