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

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

National: Election security threats in the US are growing. Federal funding to address them isn’t | Christina A. Cassidy/Associated Press

State election officials are voicing frustration over the lack of federal funding to support election security measures, equipment updates, and staff training ahead of the 2024 elections. With mounting challenges such as cyberattacks, misinformation, and threats to election officials, the absence of federal investment raises concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. While past funding efforts have been beneficial, the exhaustion of previous allocations leaves officials scrambling to address evolving threats without adequate resources. Despite bipartisan calls for additional funding, partisan disputes in Congress have stalled progress, leaving election officials to make tough decisions and scale back security efforts. Read Article

National: America’s election chiefs are desperate to stick together in 2024 | Zach Montellaro/Politico

The National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) is striving for unity and bipartisanship as they navigate the complexities surrounding the 2024 elections. Despite external challenges like misinformation and threats, the organization aims to maintain a calm and collaborative atmosphere, emphasizing areas of agreement rather than unnecessary disputes. Leaders Scott Schwab and Steve Simon are working to keep NASS cohesive, recognizing the importance of presenting a united front to bolster public confidence in the electoral process. While concerns about disinformation, declining confidence, and physical security persist, efforts are underway to address these challenges and ensure a smooth electoral process. Read Article

National: Election officials contend with AI, bomb threats, and suspicious mail | Carrie Levine/Votebeat

Election officials, often overlooked in emergency preparedness discussions, are emerging as crucial figures in crisis management due to their comprehensive contingency planning. Facing a spectrum of threats from natural disasters to man-made emergencies like bomb threats or drug exposure, they are implementing innovative measures such as distributing emergency kits containing medical supplies and conducting tabletop exercises to simulate responses to various scenarios. While past experiences inform their preparedness efforts, they recognize the evolving nature of threats, exemplified by the shift from cybersecurity concerns to artificial intelligence risks, Read Article

National: AI deepfakes come of age as billions prepare to vote in a bumper year of elections | Jonathan Yerushalmy/The Guardian

AI-generated deepfake calls, including a fake one purportedly from Joe Biden urging voters to delay their vote, have sparked concerns about the potential for AI to disrupt elections. Governments, tech companies, and civil society groups are grappling with how to regulate AI-created content, especially as trust in politicians and institutions is already low.  While measures like the U.S. executive order requiring AI developers to share safety test results are in place, some argue that more proactive regulation is needed, particularly given the vulnerability of digital media to exploitation.  Read Article

National: Election Deniers Seek to Rewrite the Law | Nick Corasaniti/The New York Times

Despite the debunking of conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 election, falsehoods persist and influence legislation across the United States. In Georgia, a bill mandates the online posting of high-resolution digital images of scanned paper ballots for 24 months, catering to conspiracy theorists’ demands. Over 70 bills in 25 states draw from election disinformation, addressing issues like ballot security, voting by undocumented citizens, and fraudulent absentee ballots. Despite lack of evidence, bills targeting voting machines and requiring proof of citizenship for voting are gaining traction, reflecting a broader acceptance of baseless claims among Republicans. Read Article