California bill limiting ballot hand counting becomes law; Shasta County pledges to defy statute | Nicholas Kerr/ABC

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a bill into law that restricts the ability of local governments to manually count ballots, a move prompted by Shasta County’s decision to terminate its contract with Dominion Voting Systems and opt for hand-tabulation. The new law, AB 969, limits hand-counting to specific circumstances, such as regularly scheduled elections in places with under 1,000 registered voters and special elections with fewer than 5,000 voters. It also prevents counties from canceling contracts for voting systems without a transition plan and finalized agreement for a new state-approved system. This decision comes after unsubstantiated conspiracy theories led Shasta County to terminate its contract with Dominion, leaving it without an election system for a period. The move to hand-count would have been an immense undertaking given California’s often complex and lengthy ballots, and it is now legally prohibited. Read Article

Georgia Election Board rejects use of hand marked paper ballots proposal | Mark Niesse/The Atlanta Journal -Constitution

The State Election Board of Georgia unanimously rejected a proposed rule change that would have allowed voters to fill out ballots by hand instead of using touchscreens in polling places. The proposed change aimed to address concerns about privacy and ballot secrecy in situations where touchscreens might expose a voter’s choices. Advocates argued that the bright and large screens of touchscreens made it difficult to maintain secrecy. However, board members expressed reservations about having two voting methods in use simultaneously and mentioned the challenges poll workers might face in managing both methods. The board plans to study the issue further before their next meeting. Two other rule proposals were also rejected, one related to more extensive testing of voting machines and the other about setting cybersecurity guidance for using emergency paper ballots. Read Article

Georgia Secretary of State gives approval for testing new Dominion voting software | Mark Niesse/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has given approval for an upgrade of the state’s Dominion voting equipment ahead of several upcoming local elections, aiming to enhance cybersecurity and prevent potential malware and hacks. The new version of Dominion’s software will undergo a pilot phase in municipal elections across five counties. While a statewide rollout is not planned until after thorough testing following the 2024 presidential election, Raffensperger emphasized the existing security measures. Dominion’s voting system, criticized by some since the 2020 election, particularly by supporters of Donald Trump, will now undergo “health checks,” logic and accuracy testing, post-election audits, and collaborate with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to ensure secure equipment storage. Read Article

Kansas: ‘Not really tethered to facts.’ Legislature gives platform to election misinformation | Katie Bernard/The Kansas City Star

The Kansas Legislature spent over $6,600 on a committee that promoted misinformation and false claims of election fraud in a two-day meeting. The committee, chaired by Sen. Mike Thompson, handpicked activists who lacked expertise on elections and a Florida-based think tank that advocated for ballot restrictions, excluding local election administrators. The cost covered salaries, per diems, and staff pay for all 11 lawmakers. Many of the activists invited were not based in Kansas. The second day of testimony was dominated by individuals presenting repeatedly debunked claims of election fraud and irregularities. Critics argue that the committee did more harm than good to voter confidence, as it provided a platform for misinformation without counteracting it with accurate information from experts in the field of elections. Thompson plans to ask for permission to hold a third day of election integrity hearings later this year, but critics argue that the views of those who worry about machines should be balanced with expertise and evidence.

Louisiana: Election Conspiracies Loom Over Secretary of State Race | Cameron Joseph/Bolts

In Louisiana’s race for secretary of state, leading Republican candidates are grappling with calls from election conspiracists while seeking to appeal to GOP base voters who still believe in Donald Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election. While some contenders reject radical changes to the state’s voting system, others, like Brandon Trosclair, advocate for hand-counting elections, a proposal criticized by experts. Front-runners Nancy Landry and Clay Schexnayder have also hedged their responses to concerns of widespread fraud, indicating an attempt to balance their own state’s election system defense with broader worries about the 2020 elections. Read Article

Michigan: Overseas ballot transmission for military puts lawmakers at odds | Beth LeBlanc/The Detroit News

The Michigan House has passed a bill allowing spouses, children, and family members stationed overseas with military personnel to electronically return their absentee ballots by 2025. This legislation, sponsored by Rep. Carol Glanville, mandates the development of a secure web portal and rules for ballot submission, requiring them to match the voter’s signature on file and be received by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Additionally, another bill passed would permit third-party transportation services for voters and eliminate requirements for clerks to automatically challenge certain absentee ballots. Both bills are heading to the Senate, with similar legislation pending. Currently, 31 other states allow certain voters to return ballots electronically. This move has been celebrated by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who assert it will strengthen democracy in Michigan. Read Article

Pennsylvania voting system errors ‘minuscule,’ judge says in tossing Fulton County civil suit against Dominion Voting Systems | Bruce Siwy/Chambersburg Public Opinion

A federal court has rejected Fulton County’s attempt to sue Dominion Voting Systems for breach of contract. Judge Sylvia Rambo ruled that Fulton County’s commissioners and legal counsel failed to prove that a hardware defect prevented Dominion systems from functioning according to the contract. The voting machines were initially certified but were later decertified by the Pennsylvania Department of State due to improper third-party access. The lawsuit arose from allegations related to the 2020 election, and this ruling marks a setback for the county’s claims against Dominion. Fulton County had allowed outside companies to inspect the voting machines amid controversies over election results. The court decision dismisses the claims without prejudice, allowing commissioners to file an amended complaint. Additionally, the county has faced legal fees for its unauthorized inspections of the Dominion systems, with the state seeking reimbursement of nearly $500,000. Read Article

Virginia election officials acknowledge voters mistakenly removed from rolls | Ben Paviour/VPM

The Virginia Department of Elections is working to resolve an issue that led to an undisclosed number of eligible voters being mistakenly removed from the state’s rolls. This development comes after reports revealed that individuals with probation violations lost their voting eligibility due to recent changes implemented by the department. The department is collaborating with the Virginia State Police to identify affected individuals and plans to reinstate their voting rights after verification. The issue appears to stem from efforts to remove individuals with restored voting rights who subsequently faced probation violations, mistakenly including them in the removal process. Critics argue that such errors should have been anticipated to avoid infringing on people’s constitutional rights. The situation has also reportedly deterred some Virginians from participating in early voting. Read Article

Wisconsin Senate Republicans signal they could remove Democrat on Elections Commission | Hope Karnopp/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Wisconsin Senate Republicans are indicating they may remove Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ appointee, Joseph Czarnezki, from the state’s elections commission, just weeks after they voted to remove the commission’s administrator. The committee vote against confirming Czarnezki’s appointment was 3-2, with all Republicans opposing and all Democrats supporting him. This move comes after a focus on the commission’s decision to keep WEC administrator Meagan Wolfe in place after her term expired in June, a move that is currently being challenged in court by Democratic Attorney General Josh Kaul. Czarnezki’s hearing follows the recent Senate vote to fire Wolfe, which is also under legal challenge. Read Article

Local Labs, paid by a GOP group, requests voter data, claiming it’s for political research and journalism | Jen Fifield/Votebeat

Local Labs, a conservative-leaning news company, is overwhelming local election offices across the U.S. with unclear and extensive public records requests, causing frustration among officials. CEO Brian Timpone claims they aim to expose election fraud and sometimes receive GOP-backed payments for their work, blurring the lines between research and journalism. Critics argue this is not ethical journalism. The company’s past includes plagiarism controversies. Officials are unsure about the legality of releasing records due to the commercial nature of Local Labs’ requests. Their broad demands strain election offices, requiring substantial time and resources. A recent project funded by a Trump-affiliated think tank led to a misleading report on voter fraud. Read Article

Georgia election board considers rule change to protect secret ballots | Mark Niesse/The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Election security advocates are urging changes to voting procedures in Georgia, as they claim it’s too easy to observe other voters’ choices on the state’s bright touchscreens, potentially violating the right to a secret ballot. The State Election Board is considering a rule that would allow voters to use hand-filled paper ballots in places where secrecy can’t be ensured, potentially replacing the use of touchscreens entirely. Advocates argue that with the high-stakes elections of 2024 approaching, safeguarding voter privacy is crucial, while the secretary of state’s office contends that training election workers to angle the screens properly addresses the concerns. The proposed rule change highlights a conflict between Georgia’s constitutional requirement for secret ballots and the state law calling for absolute secrecy in voting, versus the requirement for in-person voters to use specific Dominion Voting Systems touchscreens. This conflict has been the subject of previous unsuccessful challenges. Read Article

National: As Trump Prosecutions Move Forward, Threats and Concerns Increase | Michael S. Schmidt, Adam Goldman, Alan Feuer, Maggie Haberman and Glenn Thrush/The New York Times

The prosecutions against former President Donald Trump have led to a surge in threats against law enforcement authorities, judges, elected officials, and others, prompting increased protective measures. This climate of threats and harassment is causing concern among experts who fear the potential for lone-wolf attacks or riots by angry individuals. Surveys show an increase in the percentage of Americans who believe the use of force is justified to restore Trump to the presidency. Attorney General Merrick Garland addressed the issue, emphasizing the importance of the rule of law and the need to protect public servants from intimidation. Read Article

National: When an Olive Branch Meeting Over Voting Machine Technology Turned Into Fresh Controversy | Eric Geller/The Messenger

Election technology companies held a three-day event to engage with security professionals and invited them to probe for vulnerabilities in their newly developed election devices. The event aimed to foster transparent communication between technology providers and researchers, but it stirred controversy in the election security community due to the exclusion of some leading experts. Critics argue that any security scrutiny is better than none, but the event may be perceived as more of a publicity stunt. While election vendors emphasized the unique challenges and safeguards in elections, security experts stressed the importance of addressing digital vulnerabilities alongside operational protections. Read Article

National: Senate panel weighs free speech and deep fakes in AI campaign ads | Jacob Fischler/States Newsroom

Members of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration raised concerns about the potential misuse of AI in next year’s election campaigns during a hearing. AI’s ability to create realistic but fake content, such as manipulated images and videos, poses a significant challenge for elections, potentially enabling disinformation campaigns. Committee Chair Amy Klobuchar advocated for the establishment of regulations to govern AI’s use in elections, proposing a bipartisan bill to ban deceptive campaign materials generated by AI. Read Article

National: X Fires Its Election Team Before a Huge Election Year | Vittoria Elliott/Wired

X, formerly known as Twitter, has dismissed its head of threat intelligence, Aaron Rodericks, and four team members responsible for countering disinformation and misinformation. This move comes just months before the US Republican primaries kick off the 2024 American election cycle, amidst a year when over 50 countries worldwide are heading to the polls. Rodericks’ team was focused on identifying and thwarting malicious actors on the platform, particularly those targeting elections. Critics argue that letting go of Rodericks and his team may embolden such malicious actors and make it easier for them to operate on the platform. The firings also coincide with X rolling back a feature that allowed users in several countries to report tweets containing hate speech or misinformation. Additionally, the trust and safety teams, responsible for content moderation, elections, and misinformation, have been significantly reduced since Elon Musk took over the company. Experts warn that with elections looming in numerous countries, this move could have far-reaching implications for safeguarding the integrity of democratic processes globally. Read Article

Arizona: Maricopa County argues that Kari Lake is legally barred from seeing voters’ signatures | Howard Fischer/Tucson Daily Star

Kari Lake, the Republican candidate who lost the 2022 Arizona gubernatorial race, is seeking access to ballot envelope images and signatures to support her claim that Maricopa County improperly counted some early ballots. However, Maricopa County’s attorney argues that Arizona’s Election Code specifies that voter registration records “shall not be accessible or reproduced by any person other than the voter.” This, he contends, overrides laws presuming public disclosure. Additionally, the attorney suggests that even if the records were considered public, Arizona law allows for withholding them if their release is deemed “not in the best interests of the public.” Read Article

98% of Arizonans will have new elections officials in 2024, report finds | Jerod MacDonald-Evoy/AZ Mirror

Arizona is facing a significant turnover in election officials, with 98% of the state expected to have new officials overseeing elections in 2024 compared to those who managed the 2020 elections, according to a report by the nonpartisan political reform organization, Issue One. This mass exodus of experienced officials is attributed to election misinformation and threats of violence directed at election workers since 2020, leading to a loss of 176 collective years of experience. The report emphasizes the urgency for lawmakers in Washington, D.C. to provide regular funding and increased protections for election officials to ensure the integrity of the democratic process. Read Articles

Colorado: More than a third of state’s election officials have left office since 2020 — sparking concerns ahead of 2024 | Seth Klamann/Denver Post

Over the past three years, more than a third of Colorado’s local election officials have left their positions, driven by factors like term limits and harassment-related fatigue. This high turnover rate raises concerns as the state approaches the 2024 presidential election, with nearly half of Coloradans now living in a county with a new election clerk. Threats and harassment directed at election workers since the 2020 election have been cited as significant factors in these departures, with the state losing 24 top election officials in this period, impacting 38% of its counties. The bipartisan reform group Issue One is advocating for increased federal funding and protections to address this issue and strengthen the democratic process. Read Article

Connecticut: Towns to get $25 million for voting machine upgrade | Patrick Skahill/Connecticut Public

Connecticut is poised for a significant upgrade to its voting machines, as Governor Ned Lamont announced plans for a $25 million allocation from the State Bond Commission in October. This funding will go towards purchasing new ballot-counting machines, marking the first statewide replacement since the elimination of lever voting machines 17 years ago. While the current machines are still operational, they are showing signs of aging, prompting the need for updated technology. The allocation will cover the purchase of several thousand traditional tabulators and dozens of high-speed tabulators. Read Article

Georgia Republicans’ election security ideas come with a cost | Mark Niesse/Atlanta Journal Constitution

Georgia election officials have informed Republican state legislators that proposed security enhancements, including eliminating ballot bar codes, adding verification technology, and upgrading voting machines, could be possible at an estimated cost of $32.5 million, but likely not before the 2024 election. This comes in response to demands for security improvements following a report by a computer science professor highlighting vulnerabilities in the voting system. The state Senate Ethics Committee plans to hold hearings on election security, while some senators are seeking answers regarding the decision not to upgrade Dominion Voting Systems software. Read Article

Michigan Democrats advance internet voting bill that worries security experts | Ben Orner/mlive.com

House Bill 4210, recently passed by the Michigan House of Representatives, expands electronic voting to include military spouses and dependents living overseas. Advocates assert that this enables military families to exercise their voting rights more conveniently. However, election security experts, including C.Jay Coles from Verified Voting, caution against the introduction of the internet into elections, emphasizing the potential risks. Coles warns that if the system is compromised, it could lead to a “crisis of confidence in our entire democracy” and open the door for large-scale manipulation of ballots and vote counts. Critics propose exploring alternatives such as expedited return of physical ballots or providing free postage for military spouses overseas to ensure their voting rights. The bill now awaits review in a Senate committee and the full Senate before potentially becoming law. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has expressed support for the bill. Read Article

Nevada’s exodus of election officials took with them 104 years of experience, says report | April Corbin Girnus/Nevada Current

Since the last presidential election, ten out of seventeen Nevada counties have seen a turnover in their top election officials, marking a higher rate of change than most other western states, according to a report by the political reform group Issue One. The turnover is attributed to a range of factors, including political pressure, threats, and burnout. Issue One is advocating for increased federal funding and protections to address the issue and strengthen the democratic process. Read Article

North Carolina Governor vetoes bill that would take away his control over election boards | Gary D. Robertson/Associated Press

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, has vetoed Republican-backed legislation that seeks to shift the power to choose State Board of Elections members from the governor to legislative leaders. The proposed law comes at a critical juncture as the 2024 campaign cycle begins in the closely contested state. The bill, which would alter the current 3-2 party split on the board, is likely to face override votes in the coming month, with Republicans holding narrow veto-proof majorities in both chambers. The measure’s sponsors argue that an even split on the board would promote bipartisan consensus and bolster voter confidence in election outcomes. Critics, however, contend that the bill could lead to gridlock and potential reductions in early voting sites. Read Article

North Dakota Petition seeks to ban early voting and  voting machines | Kortney Lockey/KVLY

North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe has approved a petition format for a proposed constitutional measure regarding election processes. Supporters now have until September 27, 2024, to gather signatures for review. The measure, if passed, would bring several significant changes to North Dakota’s electoral procedures. These include prohibiting early voting, mail-in voting (except for absentee ballots), ranked-choice and approval voting, as well as electronic ballot counting devices and voting machines. Additionally, the amendment would require hand-counting of ballots, allow citizens from any U.S. state to audit North Dakota elections, and mandate the public release of individual ballots on the Secretary of State’s website for at least six years. Read Article

Pennsylvania: The cost of Fulton County’s losing legal battle over Dominion keeps climbing | Bruce Siwy/Chambersburg Public Opinion

In Fulton County, a three-day legal proceeding regarding the security of voting machines has revealed a contentious situation. Local officials sought to hire a Florida-based company, Cerberus Dynamic Solutions, to guard voting machines that had been illegally inspected for fraud after the 2020 election. However, a supervising judge instead opted for a different company selected by the Pennsylvania Department of State, possibly causing the county to be responsible for the state’s legal fees. The Pennsylvania Department of State is requesting reimbursement from the county of almost $450,000 in counsel fees and other litigation costs due to the illegal inspection of the Dominion voting machines. The controversy has raised concerns about potential financial implications for Fulton County taxpayers. Read Article

South Dakota: Minnehaha County auditor might want to hand count election ballots | Annie Todd/Sioux Falls Argus Leader

During a routine approval for an election systems agreement in Minnehaha County, a debate arose regarding the future of voting in Sioux Falls. County Auditor Leah Anderson suggested the possibility of hand counting ballots in upcoming elections, expressing a preference for combining random hand counts at precinct levels with tabulators to ensure caution in using election technology. She referenced a state statute allowing county commissions to decide how elections are conducted, including the use of automatic tabulation or electronic ballot marking systems. Read Article

Texas: Loving County’s epic elections feud is back, and bitter as ever | Eric Dexheimer/Houston Chronicle’

Loving County, the least-populated county in the U.S., is grappling with a peculiar political issue: it has around 65 residents but about 110 registered voters. This discrepancy arises from former residents who, though having relocated elsewhere, still designate Loving County as their voting residence. Some maintain primary residences just beyond the county’s borders, while others reside hundreds of miles away. This situation has led to legal challenges, prompting questions about the legitimacy of their voting ties to the county, as Sheriff Chris Busse notes that many only appear during elections or the annual Christmas party. The article also highlights the intense personal and familial rivalries within the county’s politics, which have further complicated election matters. The recent November 2022 election resulted in three legal challenges, with candidates alleging that out-of-town voters favored powerful local families. The legal proceedings have become intricate, with lawyers scrutinizing voters’ personal lives, homes, and ties to the county, creating a complex web of allegiances and disputes. The judge presiding over the case is expected to make a decision by the end of October, with possible appeals looming. Read Article

Wisconsin legislation to protect election workers moves forward | Anya van Wagtendonk/Wisconsin Public Radio

A bipartisan set of voting-related bills is under consideration, with public testimony held five months ahead of the 2024 elections. The proposals aim to enhance protections for election workers, making attacks on them a felony and providing whistleblower safeguards. Additionally, a bill suggests implementing a text message notification system for absentee voters, updating them on the status of their ballots. The proposed measures come in response to increased harassment and threats against election workers, particularly after the 2020 presidential election, and aim to ensure their safety and job security. While supported by various organizations, including the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Counties Association, and the League of Wisconsin Municipalities, the ACLU of Wisconsin has expressed concerns over the whistleblower protection component. Read Article

National: Cyber experts set out plan to secure crucial 2024 US election | Alex Scroxton/Computer Weekly

The Election Security Research Forum, facilitated by the Information Technology – Information Sharing and Analysis Center (IT-ISAC), is piloting a collaborative approach to enhance election security and restore public confidence in the political process, especially in light of increasing cyber risks. The forum brings together security experts, ethical hacking firms like Bugcrowd and HackerOne, Microsoft, Protect AI, nonprofits including the Center for Internet Security, and former state and local election officials. It aims to proactively address cybersecurity challenges associated with election technology by conducting testing and assessments. The focus will be on new election technology slated for deployment in 40 U.S. states in the 2024 elections, with researchers and companies committed to coordinated vulnerability disclosure and best practices for disclosure timelines. The initiative aims to complement existing security measures in U.S. elections, including rigorous federal testing and certification standards, ultimately bolstering transparency and resilience in the electoral process. Read Article

National: Vivek Ramaswamy has called for ‘paper ballots.’ Most Americans vote that way already. | Amy Sherman/Politifact

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has been advocating a four-point plan for improving elections, which includes making Election Day a national holiday, implementing single-day voting on Election Day, using paper ballots, and requiring government-issued photo IDs matched to the voter file. However, the idea of “paper ballots” is not a new concept and is already widely used in American elections. Paper ballots, where votes are hand-marked on paper, are a standard practice in many states, and federal laws do not dictate whether states or local jurisdictions must use paper ballots. Efforts to pass a bill mandating paper ballots at the federal level ultimately failed, but many states have chosen to move towards using paper ballots over the past two decades. This trend towards paper ballots is considered one of the most successful movements in elections over the past two decades, as they provide a secure and verifiable way for voters to cast their ballots. Read Article